How many people worked in an office?

[albuquerquegirl]

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I wasn't sure if I should spend time working in a dental office, actually working not spending time shadowing. Any adivce from people who have been accepted, on what their job experience was?
Perhaps there is a thread I have not seen . . .

 

[Bickle]

I never worked in a dentists office, but i did shadow. I was actually looking for a job in a dental office but with no luck. If you need a job, then go for it, it'll be good experience, but I doubt that any school would penalize you if you didnt have any work experience in the dental field.

 

[AUTigers]

Straight out of high school (actually the Monday after graduation), I was offered a job at my orthodontist's office. It was the most wonderful experience ever, and I have been asked to come back next summer. I worked there for 3 years and I can't say that it was always just peaches'n'cream, but for the most part-absolutely great! Anyways, I had the priviledge of becoming an orthodontist asst., actually working in the back, putting on braces, changing wires, etc. I learned not only about the teeth and things about dentistry, but also learned much better interpersonal skills. I grew as a person in every aspect. I am just fortunate that I had the opportunity.

But, back to the question, job experience will be looked upon favorably to a certain degree, but shadowing is just as great! Actually, I just started shadowing my family dentist last week. I really like to see the change in atmosphere-something you can do by hopping around shadowing, but harder to do hopping from job to job. 😳

 

[Biogirl361]

^^^
what he said... I have similar experience working at a specialist office and shadowing at a general office. I have called dental schools and been told that most people do not have actual work experience when accepted, just a few days spent at one or more dentist offices shadowing would suffice although of course the more the better.

 

[DrChappy]

I never worked in a Dentist's Office, but spent a good hundred hours between a Dentist's Office and an MD's office. I think that either from working or volunteering in a clinical setting, it is something you should definitely do.

I know a few people from UNM (I was a Lobo) that are great at letting you volunteer at North Campus. If you want some additional info, email me.

 

[bodiddely]

Hi DrChappy,
I'm not a UNM student but I do live in Albuquerque during the summers. Do you know of any public clinics in the area where I might be able to volunteer part time this summer?

Thanks,
Bodiddely

 

[albuquerquegirl]

Thanks everyone for replying, it's been a while since I've been on the SDN (stuck on ebay 😴 ).
Actually, I work in a physician's office right now, but I have never worked in a dental office. I have shadowed (for a few hours) a dentist at the YDDC (the children's jail) and I tried to do the same at HCH (Healthcare for the homeless) but I just got too busy. I am taking Orgo I/ Cell Bio this summer. I want to apply this year, and I want to be competative. So I want the right kind of experience. I don't want to be rejected because I haven't worked in an office, like some other people. Like I said, I have shadowed, but you know how the requirements are-they say things like we would like for you to have shadow experience, but what they mean is over 90% of applicants worked for oral surgeons all through undergrad, or something outrageously similar.

 

[45540]

I think you'll be fine if you just shadow a dentist more than you have already. They're not necessarily looking for work experience at an office, more of you following around a dentist through their daily routine and feel that it's something you'd want to undertake. I had just followed around three dentists in my hometown over my four years of college for about four years, and they had let me do small tasks when the assistants were swamped.