Dental volunteering?

[169745]

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So I talked to some admissions committee people and they said they wanted to see me do some volunteer work. I did some in undergrad but that was a long time ago. I'd love to do something dental related but I don't really know where to get started. What do you do at a dental clinic? Is it like shadowing or will it actually involve doing things? Is it even worth it? I hear that you basically work with underprivilaged people and just clean up the rooms and things...is there anything that is useful that can be gained from this? I suppose it is how you spin it, but maybe I'm just a cynic.

 

[4thMolar]

You can get started by contacting your undergrad's pre-dental program and see what kind of volunteer activities they get involved in. If you ask, I'm sure they will let you volunteer at clinics, etc. with them. If you're not near your undergrad anymore, try contacting the local university's pre-dental program as well.

 

[169745]

What do you do though? I talked to one director and she said you can't really assist because you need to be OSHA certified.....

 

[joonkimdds]

You don't have to volunteer at a dental office.

 

[4thMolar]

I've volunteered at dental clinics where they give free treatments to those who cannot afford it, and i've been able to help assist in suctioning, sterilization, etc. It may not be the most exciting, but I was able to learn the names of different instruments and broaden my networking with dentists I helped assist. It was basically shadowing but with a more hands-on approach.

 

[jiapgi]

here's a question for you...
how did you talk to the admission office?
I tried asking them few questions over emails, but they keep saying they are allowed to talk to possible applicants....

could you tell me how you reached the admission office?

 

[Alekshura2]

Yes you definitely don't have to volunteer at a dental office, but it is good. I recently started volunteering at an emergency room. I can tell you that it is an awesome experience. You really learn to think much faster with all the fast pace work they do. Also get to see some cool stuff and meet doctors.

 

[AggieDDS]

Yes you definitely don't have to volunteer at a dental office, but it is good. I recently started volunteering at an emergency room. I can tell you that it is an awesome experience. You really learn to think much faster with all the fast pace work they do. Also get to see some cool stuff and meet doctors.

What if you don't want to be a med-school reject in dental school????

 

[smile101]

If volunteering is the motive, I don't think it has to be dental related. I tutored a lot in college and elementary school after graduating. Thats one way of doing it!

 

[169745]

Yeah I have done a ton of general volunteer work, there are some opportunities but a 1.5 hour drive to Gainesville, I really don't think it is worth it honestly. It would look good but I doubt they will expect me to know what a certain instrument is or whatnot. It is more about exposure I believe and I have plenty of that through shadowing.