I have called over 20 places this week and half said they would call me back- none of them have responded. I have no idea what I am doing wrong! I was supposed to shadow my own dentist this winter break- he said it was fine and confirmed everything. When I called in to ask about making a schedule they said that there was no guarantee they could accommodate me and will call me when theres any availability. So now I am stuck last minute trying to find someone to shadow for winter break. Any tips? I am in university of the town I will be in to shadow so I cant go to offices in person. If it helps, I am looking for a dentist in the Dallas area. Specifically Plano, Murphy, Richardson.
Cannot find a dentist to shadow!
- Thread starter ribs98
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You should go in person and speak to people. This will show you're serious and they will get to see how you present yourself.
I will definitely go in person if I get no call backs. I was just really hoping to have something arranged before going back home so I wouldn't have to stress about it. I need 20 hours before next semester starts for a program that I am applying to so I am just afraid of not finding anyone in time.
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I'm not sure if this is only being offered in my district but ASDA sent out an email like 2 months ago or so to me asking if I wanted to participate in a shadowing program. You put in your info, and it matches you up with a dentist who volunteered to have people shadow at their office. Are you a member of ASDA?
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go in and don't go to a young dentist, go to a older and/or established dentist. Younger dentists are still establishing their practice and don't want to make patients uncomfortable for any reason
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I was in the same situation as you where I would call 9-10 places everyday and would get those responses saying they’ll call back when they have time blah blah blah. One day I just got fed up and emailed 120 dentists around me and got responses. You’ll be fine just be persistent
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Not necessarily true. I’m a new dentist and I’d let anyone shadow me who wanted to. I’d suggest going in person though because messages don’t always get past the front desk if they aren’t patient related.
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You're not trying hard enough.
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I always just send them a professional email. That way I can speak to the doctor directly and he can respond when he's free so I don' bother him while he's working. It's worked out well. They usually tell me to call to schedule then I can say that I've spoke with dr. So and so and he told me to call and schedule a time. Then they will be less likley to avoid scheduling you.
If you can't find their email (although I have emailed the generic office email addressing the doctor specifially) try looking at a nearby dental school. Some schools will let you shadow, plus a lot of the dentists teaching also work in prigate practice part time so it' a good to get in touch with them directly.
If you can't find their email (although I have emailed the generic office email addressing the doctor specifially) try looking at a nearby dental school. Some schools will let you shadow, plus a lot of the dentists teaching also work in prigate practice part time so it' a good to get in touch with them directly.
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I was in the same situation but I had an office I really wanted to shadow at so I called them again a couple days later when I heard nothing back the first time. I got in for shadowing and they liked me so much, the offered me a job! I’ve been working there for 1.5 years now (and finally got into dental school this cycle!). The office I work at is bonkers sometimes so a lot of the time messages don’t end up where they’re supposed to. Most dental offices are this way. Don’t get discourage and just try again.
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Shadow your own dentist? If not your own dentist than the dentist of a friend or family member? Ask around your circles who people go to to get dental work done and then try to shadow those dentists, by letting them know that you are so-and-so patient's friend/relative. Connections go a long way! And make sure to let them know that you only need to shadow a limited amount of time, make that clear from the get go, some might think you would stick around for like a month or two and therefore might automatically decline on that basis
Most places only have a "Schedule an Appointment" type email option on their website and not an actual email address. I'm not sure if it would be appropriate to send a shadowing email through that?
My original post explains why I cannot shadow my own dentist. And yes I have been stating that I only want to shadow for winter break. I'll definitely ask around thanks!
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There were some with that but a lot just had a busiess email to contact. That may be only in my area though?
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You do realize that December is usually one of the busiest months for a GP. Patients want to use their ins benefits before they expire at the end of the year. Try January.
I send emails because I think that is better than them trying to find where they wrote your phone number and whatnot. an email is a reminder of your conversation.
Also, I found that they are more likely to let you come if you say you want to go for one day only rather than can I shadow you for a few weeks, months etc. Then on that day you go if it works out well and you want to go back, they will have known you by then and might invite you to return. Of course, it will take a lot of effort. I emailed like 40+ people and I had only 5-6 responses. You might have to go a bit outside your expected travel range too ~~ keep at it
Also, I found that they are more likely to let you come if you say you want to go for one day only rather than can I shadow you for a few weeks, months etc. Then on that day you go if it works out well and you want to go back, they will have known you by then and might invite you to return. Of course, it will take a lot of effort. I emailed like 40+ people and I had only 5-6 responses. You might have to go a bit outside your expected travel range too ~~ keep at it
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Have you tried calling Texas A&M dental school for shadowing opportunities?
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It may be time to find a new dentist.
Haha too bad I no longer have dental insurance :/ Now i just get all my cleanings and any necessary work done by my grandfather when i go abroad to visit him and family on breaks!
I am still holding out on one more potential dentist. We met her at a small gathering at a friend's and I emailed her my resume and she said she will let me know so fingers crossed!
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Check. So you basically just want a free ride on shadowing not to mention an LOR sans any commitment. You could possibly resist such an offer?
What? I'm confused... I dont want a free ride on anything. I am going to continue to try and make an effort to find a dentist to shadow. I know I need a letter of recommendation from a dentist too which will of course come from a dentist I shadow and it wont be my grandpa because not only is he family but he doesnt practice here so... My recent post was just a vent because I really had no idea it would be so hard to find a dentist to shadow but it is what it is and I am not going to give up. But I can express my frustrations on an online forum! Not sure what my lack of dental insurance and not having a local dentist has to do with me getting a free ride.
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Think of it this way: all the money you saved by not paying for/buying dental insurance you can invest in establishing a rapport with a new dentist(s) in your neck of the woods.
I see what you mean. I had insurance until this past year when I turned 19, but finances are a bit tight right now. I will keep what you said in mind in the future if these attempts don't work out. Thanks!
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Don't be discouraged! Go in person to ask. I did something similar, except I drove to about 14 offices within the Orlando area around early December times and I did not get one green light. I kept trying until I get it. I'm now a 3rd year dental student 🙂 so keep at it. Good luck!
