about shadowing

[huk1985]

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I just decided to change to dentistry instead of medicine. To prepare for a career in medicine, I've had some experience in research and is volunteering at a school hospital. I know dentistry is a little bit different in terms of extracurricular activities. I've read some threads and it looks like dental schools strongly recommends shadowing. I do not know any dentists, but I can put time to find a dentist and try to shadow that dentist, however I will probably have to quit volunteering. Does volunteering at a hospital not help at all when applying to a dental school?

 

[xdianaax]

Of course it does, you don't only need to do dentistry related things. I volunteered in a hospital and it had nothing to do with dentistry, I just wanted to do it.

 

[huk1985]

yea, but I'd rather shadow then volunteer, if shadowing improves chance of getting into dental schools much more than volunteering at a hospital.

 

[wigglytooth]

I just decided to change to dentistry instead of medicine. To prepare for a career in medicine, I've had some experience in research and is volunteering at a school hospital. I know dentistry is a little bit different in terms of extracurricular activities. I've read some threads and it looks like dental schools strongly recommends shadowing. I do not know any dentists, but I can put time to find a dentist and try to shadow that dentist, however I will probably have to quit volunteering. Does volunteering at a hospital not help at all when applying to a dental school?

I agree, anything activity instead of studying makes you a rounded person. And volunteering is always a great activity, especially since you are interested in a field in which you must show compassion and an interest in helping others. Definitely shadow though; it's the only way you'll get to see if dentistry's right for you.

 

[sacjumpman]

Do what you enjoy more... but I personally would stick to the hospital if you've been around for a while.

Dental schools like to see some degree of commitment to whatever it is your are doing for EC's.

But shadowing is a must as well....
Shadowing doesn't have to be extremely demanding time wise.... just get in your hours over the course of the next year and it seems like you could balance both.

 

[dentaldentist]

I just decided to change to dentistry instead of medicine. To prepare for a career in medicine, I've had some experience in research and is volunteering at a school hospital. I know dentistry is a little bit different in terms of extracurricular activities. I've read some threads and it looks like dental schools strongly recommends shadowing. I do not know any dentists, but I can put time to find a dentist and try to shadow that dentist, however I will probably have to quit volunteering. Does volunteering at a hospital not help at all when applying to a dental school?

If you have to choose between the two, then do the shadowing. Shadowing or working in a dental office is a requirement at many schools for admission; it demonstrates that you know what you are getting into and you really are interested in the profession. However, volunteering at a hospital is definitly a big plus to have on your application. A good 50 hours or so of shadowing should give you adequate exposure and thats really only 6 or 7 days of work so if you can fit that in while volunteering then that would be great. Or maybe you can reduce the amount of hours volunteering you are doing so you can do more shadowing. Also, I highly recommend with shadowing more than one dentist as practices vary greatly - you might also want to consider spending a day or more with a specialist to give you a broader perspective.

 

[xdianaax]

If you have to choose between the two, then do the shadowing. Shadowing or working in a dental office is a requirement at many schools for admission; it demonstrates that you know what you are getting into and you really are interested in the profession. However, volunteering at a hospital is definitly a big plus to have on your application. A good 50 hours or so of shadowing should give you adequate exposure and thats really only 6 or 7 days of work so if you can fit that in while volunteering then that would be great. Or maybe you can reduce the amount of hours volunteering you are doing so you can do more shadowing. Also, I highly recommend with shadowing more than one dentist as practices vary greatly - you might also want to consider spending a day or more with a specialist to give you a broader perspective.

I agree, you don't need to go overboard with the shadowing, they want to see that you know what you're getting yourself into. I spoke to a few adcoms and trhey said when they look at some apps they laugh at how many hours some people spend shadowing. They said we never really believe it, and even if it's true excessive doesn't look all that great either because there is so much other useful stuff you could have been doing with your time we would have much rather seen. I'm glad I foiund that out before I went crazy with the shadowing hours, lol.

 

[Toothfairy86]

exactly how much is crazy amount of shadowing? I had 80hrs but they were w/ 6 different dentists.

 

[xdianaax]

exactly how much is crazy amount of shadowing? I had 80hrs but they were w/ 6 different dentists.

That's not that much, the exact example he used is that on some apps he's seen as much as 4000 shadowing hours.

 

[vhh007]

any EC stuff will be good but just make sure you have some dentsitry stuff in there

 

[fightingspirit]

I just decided to change to dentistry instead of medicine. To prepare for a career in medicine, I've had some experience in research and is volunteering at a school hospital. I know dentistry is a little bit different in terms of extracurricular activities. I've read some threads and it looks like dental schools strongly recommends shadowing. I do not know any dentists, but I can put time to find a dentist and try to shadow that dentist, however I will probably have to quit volunteering. Does volunteering at a hospital not help at all when applying to a dental school?

Actually, I totally recommend quitting the hospital thing you’re doing and finding a dentist to shadow. I do not say that because it would look better on your application, which it will, but because it will make your operative technique, perio, and radiology classes 10 times easier and you’ll do well on these classes. I am serious. First year favors those who’ve had the experience and it shows on grades. Also, since you’ve only recently adopted the idea of dentistry, I strongly suggest meditating more about the decision. Dentistry is an awesome career for those who know what they’re getting into. In fact, dental school is quite manageable for those who have had an extensive and intensive experience with a dentist or a dental specialist. When you go to dental school after having volunteered only a few months, you will be shocked to know that many of your classmates will have volunteered and even worked for years for dentists or dental specialists. Those students usually have an edge over others and also have an easier time dealing with the lingo and understanding the didactic portion of operative technique and perio. Also, I totally recommend the following:
1-learn how to study from powerpoints (no text books in dental school and if you use textbooks, you’ll run out of time and bomb tests).
2-if you have problems paying attention and focusing for long periods of time, you need to take care of that before the first day of d-school. You need to be awake and alert at all times in d-school if you want to be a good student.

Good luck.

 

[1992Corolla]

shadow dentist > hospital

You go to dental school to become a dentist, not an ER doc...makes sense.

Both are good though.

 

[beannaithe]

Volunteering is good. I did a lot and it set me apart as an applicant when I applied 2 years ago.

Shadowing is a MUST!! 75-100 hours is the number to shoot for. Best way is if you don't have someone in your family in dentistry, just call upa local dentist an see if they'd be willing to let you shadow. Most have no probelm with it.

 

[siba]

Shadowing is just standing there to observe what dentists do, correct? I don't think too much can be learned just by "looking" at something...

Another question I have is that how exactly do you calculate the number of hours shadowing or volunteering? Do you guys start counting the numbers from the first day when you shadow/volunteer? What if you've been shadowing/volunteering for a long time and "forgot" the numbers of hours already?

Thanks!

 

[Regmata]

Shadowing is just standing there to observe what dentists do, correct? I don't think too much can be learned just by "looking" at something...

Another question I have is that how exactly do you calculate the number of hours shadowing or volunteering? Do you guys start counting the numbers from the first day when you shadow/volunteer? What if you've been shadowing/volunteering for a long time and "forgot" the numbers of hours already?

Thanks!

The purpose isnt for you to learn to be a dentist...it is for you to observe what dentists do, so you know what you will be doing.

Just use your head with the hours...they start when you walk in the door, they end when you leave, as the days progress, add them up...estimate for the days/times you have forgotten

 

[mam4993]

I would love to shadow a dentist that works in a hospital to see what that's like. Are these dentists few and far between? I've tried looking at websites for hospitals and I don't see many listed.

 

[Regmata]

you just need a hospital with a dental clinic