how to get a dentist to mentor me?

[crooked castle]

Before dental school, I shadowed. Now that I'm a dental student, I feel it would be a good idea to have a mentor, so I can be part of a sturdier relationship that can help me grow. How do you approach a dentist about possibly becoming a mentor? I am looking for ideas to ease it in; I don't think dentists would want to "commit" if I just straight up ask "Would you like to be my mentor". Any ideas how to start?

Also, how/what can I contribute right now to the practice as a dental student? I would love to help out because I don't want the mentor to feel the relationship is too one-sided and that I'm the only one benefiting. The dentist might also be more willing to take me on if I can contribute to the practice somehow.

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[Streetwolf]

I think you'd be better off having a faculty mentor. I'm sure a lot of schools do this as part of their clinical courses or intro to clinical courses. If not, maybe you can find an attending that you've interacted with a lot who would be willing to meet with you as needed.

As a (first year?) dental student, there's probably not all too much to contribute to right now, at least clinically. Perhaps you can assist with community outreach programs or dental missions to distant under-served areas. The mission to Madagascar through my dental school has been bringing a couple 1st year dental students to help out as dental assistants. As you become more clinically trained you will be able to perform the screenings or dental work yourself, under faculty supervision.