Dentist Shadowing Questions

[Universitygeek]

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I'm a 1st year undergrad thinking about getting some shadowing under my belt soon. What is the best way to find a willing dentist? I heard 100+ hrs is a reasonable amount to be competitive at most dental schools. Assuming this is true, how many hrs should I shadow per dentist and should I try to include a specialist? Any additional advice would be appreciated. Thanks 🙂

 

[8_man]

Your best bet is asking your own general dentist or a family friend who's a dentist. If you don't have either, just send a friendly e-mail to dentists around your area.

Theres no specifics on how many hours per office, but 25+ hours each is a good starting place.

 

[deleted696582]

Like the previous poster said, your personal dentist or family friend is a good starting point. I found 20 hours to be a good number per dentist, mainly because I didn't want to overstay my welcome. One invited me back for more than 20 hours, so that's always a possibility.

Once you shadow your dentist, ask them for contact info for other dentists they know and even specialists. It's a good idea to check out a specialty or two, but make sure the bulk of your hours are general dentistry.

 

[Hatak]

I'm a 1st year undergrad thinking about getting some shadowing under my belt soon. What is the best way to find a willing dentist? I heard 100+ hrs is a reasonable amount to be competitive at most dental schools. Assuming this is true, how many hrs should I shadow per dentist and should I try to include a specialist? Any additional advice would be appreciated. Thanks 🙂

Is there a dress code we should have?

 

[8_man]

Is there a dress code we should have?

Dress codes will vary. At one office, I'm provided a uniform. At another office, I just wear a collared shirt and jeans.

 

[ukrainochka]

I asked a local dentist if I could shadow for 2 weeks, and after 2 weeks she offered me to stay and work for her as an assistant, so that worked out pretty nicely 🙂


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[mystery84]

what people have said above is a great way to start looking, if you have no luck there you will need to be creative. contact your school's pre professional office see if they have any contacts, start cold calling or stopping by nearby practices and see if they would be willing to have you shadow (can't stress this enough be nice to them)

as for dress code, something professional is good. one place just had me throw on a spare lab coat and asked that i dont wearing sweats or jeans, another office asked me to pick up a pair of scrubs (probably the best option, no one really says anything if you're wearing scrubs while shadowing and would could find a set of 30~40)
first find an office to shadow, and ask them.

@ukrainochka already mentioned but if the dentist likes you they may offer you a job

 

[htdt]

Is there a dress code we should have?

One dentist asked me to wear business casual specifically. I think you can't go wrong with that.

 

[predental21250]

Every office is different. At least show up in your first day wearing business casual if you are unsure or ask ahead of time. Like others have said, best bet is to see if you have a connection. If you don't, try asking your friends if they don't mind talking to their dentists for you. Last resort is calling or showing up to offices and asking them

 

[roy williams II]

I contacted lots of dentists via email and shadowed a few of them. I shadowed over 100+ hours per office. Typically, if you work in a state that doesn't require you to be a certified dental assistant, the dentist will eventually allow you to assist. Usually they won't do this if you're only there for 20 hours. Go with the flow. After the first day shadowing, ask them what they would like you to wear when you come in.

If you have anymore questions feel free to PM me. 🙂 good luck!


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