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[deleted923453]

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[deleted936472]

I am currently "shadowing" but I don't get to observe any actual procedures LOL (I stay there for 6-7 hours on average)
I am okay with doing chores and helping them.
BUT
I think I am just providing free labor 🙁 (maybe this is why they let me in in the first place, idk)
some of my friends are experiencing the same thing

I even got yelled at by one of the staffs for not taking out the trash (It's not my responsibility) 🙂🙂🙂

Is this normal ?

From my experience that is not normal, it sounds like you’re doing volunteer work, not shadowing. If I were you I would try to shadow your general dentist, but if this is your general dentist then ask family and friends to give you the contact info for their general dentist. When you call tell them that so-and-so, who is a patient of theirs, recommended that I come in to shadow dr. Blah blah.

when I was shadowing dentists I was literally like their shadow: I was right next to them all the time observing what they were doing (which is normal if I’m not mistaken). It’s really important that you actually have the opportunity to observe the dentist to see if this is something you would like to do, but on the other hand you might be able to squeeze out a nice LOR from the current dentist you’re “shadowing”...but you can shadow more than one if you have time, so no matter what you do you should reach out to different dentists.

 

[deleted923453]

From my experience that is not normal, it sounds like you’re doing volunteer work, not shadowing.

LOL yeahh but i cant even say i'm volunteering because it is not a non-profit organization
They constantly give me chores and I dont even have time to go to the restroom

 

[deleted936472]

LOL yeahh but i cant even say i'm volunteering because it is not a non-profit organization
They constantly give me chores and I dont even have time to go to the restroom

Yeah I would get out of there and actually shadow someone if I were you. I wish you good luck on your search to find a new dentist to shadow!

 

[Faris_]

Not normal!! I was never asked to do any chores. I do suctioning while procedures are done and maybe take pictures using the dentist's phones of the work done with patient consent of course.. Get outta there!

 

[doc toothache]

Next time you find someone to shadow, go in with a list of your demands, which should include an excellent lor.

 

[AONLINE]

Next time you find someone to shadow, go in with a list of your demands, which should include an excellent lor.

In my opinion pre-dents should be upfront about a LOR as soon as they start shadowing a dentist. If the dentist is hesitant, get out and start shadowing another one.

 

[doc toothache]

In my opinion pre-dents should be upfront about a LOR as soon as they start shadowing a dentist. If the dentist is hesitant, get out and start shadowing another one.

You mean a dentist should not reserve the right to make a decision on whether or not to write an lor based on his/her impression of the potential applicant?

 

[deleted923453]

Next time you find someone to shadow, go in with a list of your demands, which should include an excellent lor.

pre-dent students are just guests/strangers who are temporarily allowed to observe ...
we can't really ask for something from the start lol