How to start career shadowing advice

[poshdoctor]

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How do I start career shadowing in dentists in my area?

Do I just send out letters stating that I'm a pre-dental student looking to career shadow them along with my resume? Or is there another path to career shadowing?

THANKS 🙂

 

[RSimon]

I started with my own personal dentist by expressing interest in the field. Then proceeded to ask if they would mind if I came and spent the day with them.

 

[7 Iron]

Ditto to what RSimon said. It's easiest to start with your personal dentist. Next time you're there, tell him/her about your interest in dentistry and ask if you could follow him/her around for a few days. Most dentists will say yes--they've been in this situation before. From there, it's easier, because now you have an "in." Ask your dentist if s/he has any dentist friends that would be willing to allow you to shadow. Ask around your friends or family too. You'd be surprised who knows a dentist. One of the dentists I shadowed is friends with my uncle who lives almost 1,000 miles away from me.

 

[4thMolar]

I called my dentist and told him I'm pre-dental and asked if I could shadow him, and it was fine with him. He also gave me a list of other dentists that he knew that allowed students to shadow them. If that doesn't work out, just make a list of dentists in your area and call their offices directly. You can leave a message at the front office and the dentist may or may not call you back. I wouldn't mail a letter or anything like that though.

 

[poshdoctor]

Thanks you guys!

I was so clueless!

 

[DividedByZero]

Yeah, everyone else already has the right idea so there's not much else to say. However, I started out with the internship and career center on campus that hooked me up with a contact at the local community clinic and that's how I got my start. I moved on from there and started shadowing my personal dentist the same way everyone else did.

 

[MizeDentist]

Best way to do it is to shadow your local dentist.