Is it time to incorporate physics into the Dental Admissions Test?

Abstract

Although physics is a pre-requisite for dental students prior to matriculation it is not tested on the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). The concepts of physics are found throughout the dental profession, and by testing it on the DAT dental students will be better equipped to relate physics to their field and help advance it. The purpose of this paper is to make the argument for why it should be tested, as well as eliminating some of the superfluous topics on the DAT (ecology, environmental sciences, and plant physiology). This paper will focus on a few of concepts already taught in dentistry, and explore how physics principles apply to several of them. We want to emphasize the importance of physics and how testing even the most basic concepts will help prepare students to “think outside the box”. Classical physics, specifically Newtonian Mechanics, has several applications in nearly all areas of dentistry: restorative, orthodontics, prosthodontics, and surgery. The testing of basic formulas studied in the pre-requisite physics classes will help ease the transition from college to dental school. Modern physics, namely Quantum Mechanics, also plays a significant role in current dental diagnostics and therapeutics. Additionally, with the development of the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) as a replacement for the old NBDE part 1 and 2, there are topics tested that specifically focus on physics: Foundational Knowledge Areas 2 and 3. Thus, it is critical that the student dentist be familiar with these concepts. It is important to note that scientific changes occurring in the health sciences almost mandates students be familiar with concepts rooted in physics. It is then proposed that physics be incorporated into the exam, either with the natural sciences or within the quantitative reasoning section, in addition to eliminating topics not relevant to the dental field.