Determination of Correlation Among 9-Hole Peg Test Scores and Preclinical Performances of Second-Year Students of a Faculty of Dentistry

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between the scores obtained by the 9-hole peg manual dexterity test of the second-year students of the Faculty of Dentistry at Süleyman Demirel University and the grade point averages that they received from the preclinical practical course tasks. Material and Methods: The study involved 121 dentistry students (46 males and 75 females). A 9-hole peg test (BASELINE Evaluation Instruments, LOT: 120536) was applied to each student twice for dominant and non-dominant hands, and the obtained average scores were recorded in seconds. At the beginning of the education period, Black II. cavity preparation assignments were given for model teeth numbered 15, 26, and 46. The assessment and evaluation criteria of the students' weekly preclinical practice tasks were shared before each assignment, and the same instructor evaluated the tasks given to the students for three weeks. The relationship between 9-hole peg test scores and preclinical course grades was analyzed with Pearson correlation analysis and the change in 9-hole peg test compared to grade point average with one-way ANOVA. Results: Both the 9-hole peg test scores and grade point averages of female students participating in the study were significantly higher than male students (p<0.05). It was determined that there was a negative and high-level correlation between the nine-hole peg test scores and grade point averages (p<0.05, r:-0.712). Conclusion: Although the nine-hole peg test is not used to assess student skills and predict success, it can validate and calibrate educators' grades.