How did you guys go about finding an Dental office to shadow in?

[beatnik10884]

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😀 Hey everyone! I would like to thank everyone who responded to my last two threads, it is kind of nice to talk to people who understand the pressure and competition predental students go through, all of my friends think I am just stressing out for no reason, they don't understand that what classes i take now affect my future education....no pre-med students in my circle of friends.

Anyway, how did you guys go about finding a place that will let you shadow? Aren't there legal stipulations that can make finding a willing office difficult?

Since everyone has been so prompt with response, i know you guys won't let me down...thanks!!!!!

 

[Col Sanders]

I asked family members if they had any dentist friends and found 5-6 to shadow. I just called the dentist up (mentioned how I had heard of them and who from) and asked if I could come spend a day or afternoon with them(telling them I was applying to dental school and wanted more exposure). Most were very helpful, one seemed bothered and those that seem bothered I would only go to once. To my knowledge there is not legal hoops to jump through, the dentist will just ask each patient if its OK if an observer is there. I didnt have any patients object. I would definetly go to more than one office. I am not aware of any state that makes it legally harder to observe.

 

[ULTRON]

Visit your family dentist. If you don't have one, drive around your area to find any local dentists...there must be some there. Walk in an office as talk to someone about shadowing the dentist for 3-4 hours per week. I did it for 3 hours per week. I felt uncomfortable shadowing the same dentist for 10 hours per week, so I shadowed 3 dentists in different specialities. It was cool.

You can also look up the yellow pages...or visit the yellow pages website.

Its http://www.yellowbook.com/

I believe you have to enter your area code if you're in the US.


ULTRON

 

[PERFECT3435]

i just went to 2 dental offices and told them that i was applying to dental schools and that i would love to work with a dentist as a volunteer.

the 1st office basically kicked me in the back told me he wasn't interested.
the 2nd one, however, must have been my guardian angel because as soon as i finished talking he asked me when i could start. to make the story short, i worked with him as a volunteer for about 2 weeks and then he told me he wanted to hire me as his assistant and the rest is history.

one thing though, please make sure you look presentable. wear a suit, shirt, and a tie.

 

[larryphrank]

You can even contact your local dental society, im sure they could hook you up

larry

 

[blankguy]

I looked the dentist to shadow in the yellow pages.

 

[ItsGavinC]

I actually hadn't been to the dentist in a while, so I didn't have a personal dentist to fall back on. I spoke with a dentist who attended my church, because I knew that he had a student shadowing him several months prior. He welcomed me into his office, gave me a great letter of rec., taught me lots, and even ended up doing a MO on #15 and an MOD on #14 for free.

Shadowing can be a great experience, but try to get involved and not just stand in the corner. Dentists are EXCITED to know that you are excited about their profession and that you hope to make their profession your own--use this to your advantage.

 

[blankguy]

Gavin,
it's kinda hard to get involved when you are not even qualified to assist or they are interested in hiring you for office help(schedule appointments, billing,etc...) for whatever reasons(staff being irreplaceable, bring new people too disruptive due to training, etc...). I was reduced to observing and asking questions to office staff and doctors. Currently I'm looking into volunteering.