Hardly any Shadowing Hours because of COVID

[Tjharden54]

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So in applying this cycle every part of my application is filled out and finished except for one small aspect... My shadowing hours. I have 20 hours which is terribly low, and no dentists in my area will allow me to shadow during this pandemic. I had planned to complete them once I had finished school because of my heavy work involvement but now it seems I won't have them in time before interviews are announced. Does anyone else have this problem and have any advice for me?

 

[AppalachianDentalBoy]

Everyone is in the same boat as you right now. Advice? Relax and keep reaching out. Eventually you might find a dentist who will let you shadow but it's not end all be all. Keep in mind you'll probably need to bring your own ppe.

 

[frozenicecreamDMD]

another tips is to volunteer to work for free as a sterilizing tech and ask them up front for a letter of rec if you work for free 100 hours. Usually if you work there and have nothing to do, they will let you bounce around to look and "shadow"

another tip is to disguise and ask to work as a front desk and ask for a letter of rec.

tbh if you stand behind a dentist back after 5 busy days (40 hours) you probably see all dental procedures already, it just gets repetitive after.

 

[clark5013]

another tips is to volunteer to work for free as a sterilizing tech and ask them up front for a letter of rec if you work for free 100 hours. Usually if you work there and have nothing to do, they will let you bounce around to look and "shadow"

another tip is to disguise and ask to work as a front desk and ask for a letter of rec.

tbh if you stand behind a dentist back after 5 busy days (40 hours) you probably see all dental procedures already, it just gets repetitive after.

it just gets repetitive after.

and boring, you forgot boring.

What this dude recommends is a good idea. keep trying and if you cant find anyone, then there's nothing you can really do about it other than apply with what you have, or skip applying this year (probably not the best option). You can also try a public health clinic; shadowing is shadowing.