Aptitude testing and the selection of dental students

Abstract

This paper discusses the problems involved in the selection of dental students and the need for some form of aptitude testing. It describes the situation in the United Kingdom both in the past and the present, and then describes in detail the situation in North America (both in the United States and Canada). The Dental Admission Test, its history and the research into its development are described with particular emphasis on the dexterity, perceptual and aptitude components of the test. More recent research into dexterity and aptitude testing of dental students is also covered. However, it is apparent that many questions remain unanswered.