noob questions about shadowing

[agrossbl]

So I'm a non traditional student. Didn't take much science in undergrad, but hoping to do a post-bac this fall. I have never shadowed a dentist, but I definitely want to try to start ASAP to make sure dentistry feels like a good fit for me, and also to have enough hours to have a good dental school application in the future. And I'm feeling a bit lost!

• how do I ask a dentist to shadow them? i recently moved to a new area and don't have my own dentist
• how many hours per day/week does someone normally spend shadowing? is it something you can do full time for a week, or just an hour or so per day over the course of a longer time?
• should all my shadowing hours be from a general practice? i would be interested in shadowing specialists to learn as much as I can about different options within the profession.
• Do people normally get all their hours from 1 dentist, or have they done a few hours with many different dentists?
• (edit) For documenting my shadowing hours, do I just keep track myself and report it to schools on the honor system, or do i need some kind of document from the dentist i'm shadowing that "proves" how much time I spent there?

Thanks very much, and I apologize if these questions have been asked. I did a search but couldn't find anything.

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[ICUrunning]

So I'm a non traditional student. Didn't take much science in undergrad, but hoping to do a post-bac this fall. I have never shadowed a dentist, but I definitely want to try to start ASAP to make sure dentistry feels like a good fit for me, and also to have enough hours to have a good dental school application in the future. And I'm feeling a bit lost!

• how do I ask a dentist to shadow them? i recently moved to a new area and don't have my own dentist
• how many hours per day/week does someone normally spend shadowing? is it something you can do full time for a week, or just an hour or so per day over the course of a longer time?
• should all my shadowing hours be from a general practice? i would be interested in shadowing specialists to learn as much as I can about different options within the profession.
• Do people normally get all their hours from 1 dentist, or have they done a few hours with many different dentists?

Thanks very much, and I apologize if these questions have been asked. I did a search but couldn't find anything.

Call up local offices and ask to shadow or you can go in person to ask. Don't be shy and don't be surprised if some offices say no. Dentists are extremely busy people, believe it or not.
The number of hours per week is up you. Generally speaking, you should try to reach a minimum of 100 hrs shadowing multiple general dentists before applying. You can shadow specialists, if you like, but know that general dentists are a priority.
I suggest shadowing one general dentist for a substantial amount of time because you will also need a letter of recommendation from a general dentist before applying.

 

[Predent3520]

Find a new dentist to go to and ask him! Lol but you can just call around, a lot of dentists love it (taking someone under their wing).

 

[Tebros]

No worries mate, everyone has to start from somewhere.
1) Just go to a local dentist and explain to them that you'd like to look into dentistry and was wondering if you could possibly shadow them.
2) The hours per week is all up to you. (Dental schools want the least of 50hrs, but I'd go for 100+hrs to be safe)
3) I would switch it up, and not just do general dentist...
4) I shadowed 2 dentist, 1 orthodontist, 1 pediatric, and 1 oralmaxofacial surgeon.

hope that helps.

 

[agrossbl]

thanks for the helpful answers everyone! i thought of one more question-- for documenting my shadowing hours, do I just keep track myself and report it to schools on the honor system, or do i need some kind of document from the dentist i'm shadowing that "proves" how much time I spent there?

 

[GinaS2K]

thanks for the helpful answers everyone! i thought of one more question-- for documenting my shadowing hours, do I just keep track myself and report it to schools on the honor system, or do i need some kind of document from the dentist i'm shadowing that "proves" how much time I spent there?

Honor.
I used to keep a small journal for my shadowing hours. I would write something about that day right after my shift was over. Very quick, maybe 1-2 sentences on what I did/observed.

Ex) 1/1/15 (4 hrs) observed dr doing filling and helped assistant clean up the room. Learned how to set up for filling.