Enough shadowing hours

[katiekatie30]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello,
I have applied to a couple dental schools in the west already and I think I may need more GP shadow hours. I currently have about 550 hours of assisting in an orthodontic office and 15 hours of GP shadowing. I also attended a couple of pre dental days at 2 schools. I know the GP hours are low but I have learned much more from assisting than I have from shadowing. Do I need more GP shadow hours to have a good shot?
DAT AA 22
Ogpa: 3.92
sgpa: 3.88
Plenty of ECs with many leadership roles

 

[predent2151]

You'll be fine. Just be able to talk about general dentistry as a profession in interview, you'll have plenty of them. Best of luck!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[deleted811127]

A number of dental schools have minimum shadowing hour requirements. It's difficult to say if your assisting experience will mean more than your shadowing hours. I'd call the schools you applied to just in case. Otherwise, you'll need to shadow some dentists quick.

 

[predent2151]

OP has a 22 and 3.92, they'll be fine


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[nowaysurvey]

OP has a 22 and 3.92, they'll be fine


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

No doubt here that the OP has great stats, but it doesn't change the fact that the OP hasn't meet many dental school shadowing requirements. Most schools REQUIRE at least 25-50 or so hours (some 100+) to be specifically from a GP. Mines, for example, states clearly that they will not consider anyone without GP shadowing, and furthermore, must have shadowed at least three different GPs. Remember, you're applying to dental school to become a GP, not a specialist.

It would suck for schools to deny you simply because you haven't met such requirements. Shadow and quickly call the schools to give them updates about this. It's certainly better to be safe than sorry.

Best of luck~

 

[predent2151]

It is better to be safe than sorry I agree. However OP will get in as long as he plays his logistics correctly. Apply to enough schools you'll be good.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[deleted765468]

Your stats are impressive. But I do agree that some schools have minimum hour requirements for GP which you might not meet and it would be unfortunate to get rejected for such reason. I would hold on to the application, volunteer at 2 different GP offices as dental assistance, log in overtime hours, stay behind after hours to do cleaning if need be, it still counts as hours at a GP office. It is part of the dental assistance work so there is nothing wrong about it. You can get 120 hours within 2 weeks easily.