Do you have to shadow a dentist?

[floydthefish]

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I'm currently working a full-time job and taking prereqs in the evenings. I can't imagine I'd ever have time to shadow a dentist prior to dental school. I'm wondering how much this will hurt my application? I've got a 4.0 in my science prereqs, and had a 3.7 in my undergrad. I've got a Master's Degree in an unrelated field, research experience, and am a published author. I'll be taking the DAT in a few months, but expect that to go well.

I'm just wondering if shadowing is a requirement, or just recommended. I'll have excellent letters of rec from professors and former employers, but no dentist. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Applying: UCLA, UCSF, UoP, Maybe USC, Maybe Maryland, probably others (just to make sure I get in somewhere)

 

[tinman831]

It is pretty much assumed that all applicants would have to go shadow a dentist somewhere. How would you know if dentistry is right for you unless you see what one does first hand? It would definitely hurt your application if you didn't shadow a dentist.

 

[INFNITE]

yeah, everyone does it. If you don't, that would definitely hurt your chances. It's almost an unwritten requirement in a sense.

 

[PDizzle]

Yes. No way around it.

Not only is it almost mandatory, but you should do it to make sure dentistry really is for you. D-School is a huge comitment, both time and money, so you better be sure you like blood and spit!!!

 

[HermeytheElf]

How are you so sure that you want to be a dentist if you're only exposure to the field has been your 6 month checkup? I just don't think it's a smart idea to commit 4 years of your life and a quarter million dollars worth of tuition to something that you have no idea about. Then again, you have excellent stats, as I'm sure you're aware, and you'll get in most places you apply whether you shadow or not. I think you need to go watch chairside for at least a week or two just to make sure that this is really what you want to do with your life.