Dental experience: How?

[firstcitizen]

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So how do most applicants go about getting as much experience as possible? I'm not sure if I'll have time to study to get certified in order to be a dental assistant since I have school full-time and I'm currently studying for the DAT's. Isn't shadowing just temporary where you just go in a few times and make some observations?

I'm not sure where I need to start or what I need to do...

 

[Regmata]

i worked, took a full class load and found time to shadow individual dentists, at clinics and at the dental school near home...its all about time management

don't bother getting an assistant cert either btw

 

[DrSmiles12]

I worked 20 hours a week, went to school full time, watched my daughter while studying and while my wife went full time, and did my shadowing.

I don't know how we did it, we just set our minds on it and did it my friend. You go do the same!

 

[denticus]

I ran track for my University for 4 years, went to school full time, and still worked as a dental assistant at a local office for about 20-25 hrs/week. Regmata's right, if you manage your time wisely then you will not only be able to get dental experience but also, adcoms will be impressed with your "being able to manage your time wisely."

 

[litldime]

So how do most applicants go about getting as much experience as possible? I'm not sure if I'll have time to study to get certified in order to be a dental assistant since I have school full-time and I'm currently studying for the DAT's. Isn't shadowing just temporary where you just go in a few times and make some observations?

I'm not sure where I need to start or what I need to do...

shadowing is not just a few times...though temporary...you might want to rack alot of hrs... i have over 100 of shadowing a local dentist and over 100 of volunteering at a dental clinic for the homeless.....most schools want at least 30 hrs of shadowing..some even ask for documentation of this......but that doesn't really say much... 30 hrs isn't impressive
-ld

 

[firstcitizen]

I'm not so much concerned with the time aspect. Since I'm a former pre-pharm student, I've experienced the same schedules as well with working 20 hrs/week in a pharmacy, full course load, volunteering, SGA, etc., but I'm more concerned about how to go about getting a position.

Can I just walk into any practice and ask for a shadowing position? I guess I don't really know what shadowing entails...

 

[litldime]

I'm not so much concerned with the time aspect. Since I'm a former pre-pharm student, I've experienced the same schedules as well with working 20 hrs/week in a pharmacy, full course load, volunteering, SGA, etc., but I'm more concerned about how to go about getting a position.

Can I just walk into any practice and ask for a shadowing position? I guess I don't really know what shadowing entails...

yea, you could see if they would host you...if i were you, i would call around first...
shadowing...basically you follow the dentist, watch procedures, learn about the way the office works...etc...
-ld

 

[toothy2112]

I decided to call my dentist office, and was offered the opportunity to volunteer. However, later the office manager wouldn't return my calls! So I decided to try to get a job at an office. I think I just got lucky because the first place I went to hired me that same day (no experience). I work full time and go to school at nights. It's challenging, but you learn to manage the time in between work, school, studying and everything else. I think you should call around and see if anyone will allow you to come by. Just grab the phonebook and start calling. (that was my next plan of attack if I didn't get hired right away!) Also, talk to people who might be able to get you into an office to shadow and whatnot!