This study examines results of a practical drawing task given to a cohort of first year dental surgery students at Kings College Dental Institute, London. It compares and relates their success in drilling and removing caries and pulp tissue from a virtual tooth using the hapTEL virtual learning system, with each individuals' drawing skills. Evidence of particular skills was further analysed using drawing criteria focussed on five key areas, related particularly to how the students recorded the structure and tactile nature of a three dimensional object using conventional and non conventional drawing materials.