Dentistry and Woodworking
I first discovered the connection between woodworking and dentistry during my admissions interview to The Ohio State University, College of Dentistry. The interview was proceeding in a normal fashion, with the typical pleasantries. Then one of the faculty members asked if I had any hobbies. I mentioned woodworking as my favorite hobby and, suddenly, the interview veered heavily in that direction.
I didn’t realize it then, but they were interviewing a lot of very qualified students and were trying to determine who could handle the rigors of dental school, as well as who could develop the hand skills required to be a practicing dentist. Dentistry and woodworking require the ability to use your hands in a precise manner. There is an “Art” to both dentistry and woodworking. Obviously, there is a lot more science involved with dentistry, but that doesn’t discount the science in woodworking.
Another connection is the first two years of Dental School. Dental students are required to carve a lot of teeth their first year (I still have a few of my carvings) and then continue to shape a sculpt fillings placed in plastic teeth their second year. Upon becoming dentists, we are carving and sculpting teeth, fillings, crowns, and veneers on a daily basis. We are required to make precision cuts in teeth, just as a woodworker makes precision cuts in wood. Dentists also have to understand and work with the grain of the tooth, much as a woodworker must work with the grain of wood.
Some of the tools used are very similar, although dental tools are much smaller and astronomically more expensive. Now the dental drill and the woodworkers drill are not very similar at all and are used for different purposes. However, our new Solea Laser does have a similar counterpart in woodworking. And just as in dentistry, there are constant improvements in tools, making dental and woodworking better.
I have found woodworking to be very relaxing for me. I tried golf and it was the exact opposite. I recently sat in on a talk by Scott Phillips, from “The American Woodshop” program, shown on PBS. He said our goal in life should be to make it better. With dentistry and woodworking, I have two avenues.
God Bless
