How can I get myself to volunteer/work at a dental clinic?

[mkhan27]

So I have been shadowing one of my dentists for over 3 years now and asked once or twice whether I can volunteer or work at his dental office without pay, but he told me that he's already full on staff and that I should try other dental offices that may have just opened. My other dentist that I shadowed also said the same, except he's rarely working nowadays (soon to retire).

I have called many dental offices around my area and have asked about volunteering opportunities, but many say that their office is too small, or that they are too busy, or that they are training someone, etc, etc.

Can anyone give some advice or input on what I can do to have an opportunity. How can I make myself more appealing to other offices? Should I go into the dental offices to talk face-to-face with the dentist?

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[topshelf]

I know my school has a dental clinic at the student health center and a lot of pre-dents volunteer there. See if your school has one.

You can also look for dental assisting jobs on job sites with no x-ray certification requirement.

 

[mkhan27]

Thanks for the feedback.

I have applied on monster, indeed, and other engines, but I get responses back stating you don't fit our qualifications. Also our school doesn't allow pre-dents to go to the clinic to volunteer because its within the college of dentistry.

How did others manage to get into something like this. A lot of my friends got in because of family relations and also because their parents were close friends with their dentist.

 

[babowc]

I just went up and asked... they were more than welcoming to let me shadow/volunteer.
I've been with my current dentist for almost a year now..

 

[wb1]

Craigslist-keep checking the postings.

 

[free99]

Check with your prehealth advisor, they've probably heard of opportunities from past students that they can pass along to you.

 

[doc toothache]

So I have been shadowing one of my dentists for over 3 years now and asked once or twice whether I can volunteer or work at his dental office without pay, but he told me that he's already full on staff and that I should try other dental offices that may have just opened. My other dentist that I shadowed also said the same, except he's rarely working nowadays (soon to retire).

Is shadowing a career option? Take the hint: you have wore out your welcome.

 

[topshelf]

Thanks for the feedback.

I have applied on monster, indeed, and other engines, but I get responses back stating you don't fit our qualifications. Also our school doesn't allow pre-dents to go to the clinic to volunteer because its within the college of dentistry.

How did others manage to get into something like this. A lot of my friends got in because of family relations and also because their parents were close friends with their dentist.

Yeah, it's hard to get a dental assistant job without certification or connections. If you really want to work, you should obtain the radiology certification/dental assistant training. Otherwise, keep checking for job postings.

 

[Hawkteeth]

Get certified or do something else, it seems like you have alot of shadowing hours maybe work on other parts of your application, like volunteering or research.

 

[Mr. Thirsty]

So I have been shadowing one of my dentists for over 3 years now and asked once or twice whether I can volunteer or work at his dental office without pay, but he told me that he's already full on staff and that I should try other dental offices that may have just opened. My other dentist that I shadowed also said the same, except he's rarely working nowadays (soon to retire).

I have called many dental offices around my area and have asked about volunteering opportunities, but many say that their office is too small, or that they are too busy, or that they are training someone, etc, etc.

Can anyone give some advice or input on what I can do to have an opportunity. How can I make myself more appealing to other offices? Should I go into the dental offices to talk face-to-face with the dentist?

Is there a "Community Health Clinic" near you? Those usually have both dental and medical services for people who cannot afford healthcare, and they typically take anyone who wants to volunteer. I didn't get to do any exciting work at the clinic near me but they let me clean instruments and do some assisting.