do most private school require LOR from dentist?

[Smooth Operater]

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Is it true most private schools require a LOR from a dentist?

I shadowed a dentist for a month last summer, but didn't know him VERY well since I stopped shadowing after I was sure dentistry is the right career for me. I would only spend this summer shadowing more if most private schools require LOR from a dentist since I have other plans in mind. I know some schools may have different requirments. But in general, do most private school require LOR from dentist?

I havn't looked into requirement for specific yet, since I am not sure which one I want to apply for. I probably will apply all the private ones. Thank you so much!

 

[PDizzle]

Most schools, private and state, require a letter from a dentist. Even if they don't require it, it still looks great.


Conclusion: Get a letter from a dentist!

 

[Smooth Operater]

Hello! Thanks for the reply, but I have a dilemma.

A dental professor that I am working with in school also run a dental practice on the side. Although I have never been to her practice before, I know her pretty well by doing a research project in school with her. Can I just use her as a dentist LOR requirment?

I actually want to avoid spending more time in the dental clinic this summer, since I plan to go on a oversea mission trip this summer. If I could avoid shadowing to fullfill dentist LOR requirment, it would be better. thanks!

 

[PDizzle]

Any dentist that knows you well, especially one that your worked/shadowed with is a great LOR.

As for shadowing, you need significant # of hours. 40 is what most schools consider the minimum. I did 100 and was told that was plenty at my interviews.

 

[Smooth Operater]

I do have more than 100 hours of shadowing with a dentist last year. I think the dental professor who is a dentist on side would be a better candidate for the dentist LOR requirment since I know her pretty well.

For dentist LOR, does the dentist must indicate how many hours that I've shadowed? Thanks!

 

[INFNITE]

the schools I applied to didn't require a dentist's LOR

 

[food4thots]

even if the schools don't require a lor from a dentist, i think it looks better if you have one. this can demonstrate your dedication towards dentistry.