I can't find an office that will let me shadow!

[ddstobe123]

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I've called six dental offices so far today and each receptionist has fed me the "give me your name and number and we'll get back to you" line 🙁 Not sure if I'm going about this the right way... should I drop into the offices in person? Should I ask to speak to the manager or dentist instead? I want to figure this out before I go ahead and possibly ruin my chances with any other offices in my area. Help! 😕

 

[lr2014]

I would go personally, I think it shows that you really want to do it that way. Plus, some dentists love to chat with pre-dents about the schools they are going to apply, etc.

 

[emorypredent]

First step: ask your dentist. Especially if your family has been going to him/her for a while.

Second step: network. Friends, professors, etc. might know someone. I got a couple offers from people who volunteered their father, friend, etc. I didn't even ask!

Third step: Free/community clinics. They are always looking for volunteers. I actually prefer this setting. Typically you get to help with more stuff, you feel useful and so much more.

 

[ddstobe123]

I would go personally, I think it shows that you really want to do it that way. Plus, some dentists love to chat with pre-dents about the schools they are going to apply, etc.

Sounds good! When doing this, should i ask to speak to the dentist? or just deal with the receptionist? I'm thinking the dentist will be working with patients and talking to him/her would probably be unlikely

First step: ask your dentist. Especially if your family has been going to him/her for a while.

Second step: network. Friends, professors, etc. might know someone. I got a couple offers from people who volunteered their father, friend, etc. I didn't even ask!

Third step: Free/community clinics. They are always looking for volunteers. I actually prefer this setting. Typically you get to help with more stuff, you feel useful and so much more.

Thanks! I just called my local clinic ...but they said there are too many people volunteering at this time 🙁

 

[thepod17]

You should definitely approach your current dentist. You will likely have to go into each office to inquire (dress appropriately). Some (not all) support staff will do anything to lessen any of their responsibility which includes throwing your phone number out.

 

[Ventiz]

Sounds good! When doing this, should i ask to speak to the dentist? or just deal with the receptionist? I'm thinking the dentist will be working with patients and talking to him/her would probably be unlikely 🙁

I work as a receptionist at a dental office and I've had people just walk in and asked if they could talk to the doctor about getting a job. He always saw them when he was not busy and was always happy to help. However, It might be best if you call ahead and ask when the doctor will have a break in the schedule and see if you can stop by since some doctors are really busy on certain days. Make sure you dress professionally when you visit in person. I've had my dentists told me that he had people walk in asking for a position dressed like they were going to a club. 🙄

If that doesn't work, you can always go to your dentist and ask to shadow. I actually found a place to shadow when I bought a Groupon for a cleaning and exam. I went to my appointment, made small talk with the hygienist about how I was in school and wanted to go to dental school .Before I knew it, she asked me if I wanted to shadow at their clinic. 👍

 

[gn4]

I was in the same boat until I started showing up in person. Once I did that, they let me shadow for as long as I want. Sometimes they keep calling me to come in. Since, I have DAT to study for, and I don't want to waste half a day, I usually end up declining sometimes.

 

[Dgeorg6]

How about you wait and see if they call you back? Every dentist office you call will tell you to give your name and number and they will get back to you. You think the dentist is going to stop performing a procedure to talk to some nobody who wants to shadow him? If he cares he will call you back when he has time or he wont. I had a guy call me back two days later to let me come shadow him. Just wait and see

 

[SES0112]

How about you wait and see if they call you back? Every dentist office you call will tell you to give your name and number and they will get back to you. You think the dentist is going to stop performing a procedure to talk to some nobody who wants to shadow him? If he cares he will call you back when he has time or he wont. I had a guy call me back two days later to let me come shadow him. Just wait and see

If a dentist does not call you back I don't think it's because he/she doesn't care, it's because he/she is probably slammed with running a business and practicing. Ive worked in offices for the past 4 years and my advice would be go in in person and ask to speak to the office manager and to schedule a time to shadow. Good luck!

 

[ddstobe123]

Thanks for all the replies, everyone! I found a practice that will allow me to come in and assist. Now I'm wondering, is it okay if pretty much all of my hours come from this one place? I've done <10 hours at two different places each (one being a dental school, another at another private practice) but considering the fact that I'll probably get a few hundred hours easy this summer, will this be a problem? Do schools look for more of a variety? For example, I know a lot of students shadow 3-4 doctors, with hours more spread out and usually the most time spent with the dentist writing their LOR...

 

[jigabodo]

Thanks for all the replies, everyone! I found a practice that will allow me to come in and assist. Now I'm wondering, is it okay if pretty much all of my hours come from this one place? I've done <10 hours at two different places each (one being a dental school, another at another private practice) but considering the fact that I'll probably get a few hundred hours easy this summer, will this be a problem? Do schools look for more of a variety? For example, I know a lot of students shadow 3-4 doctors, with hours more spread out and usually the most time spent with the dentist writing their LOR...

I don't think it matters much, as long as you have sufficient shadowing hours.

 

[Papasmurf1234]

Sadly many students these days are quite clueless when it comes to making a decent first impression.
1) You should go in person with a copy of your transcript, resume, and cover letter explaining why you want to shadow the dentist.

2) You should dress somewhat professionally (i.e. collared shirt, tie, slacks, dress shoes).

Even if you are allowed to shadow him, its always nice to shadow dressed professionally. It'll show that you really want to make an impression and that you are showing respect. I don't understand why students think it's ok to go in with t-shirts and shorts. You'll just make the patients uncomfortable and they'll wonder why you're there.

 

[Hawkteeth]

You'll just make the patients uncomfortable and they'll wonder why you're there.

Haha, they will do that even if your dressed up. I always liked the "he's not going to be doing anything to my mouth is he?"

 

[Dent35]

I've called six dental offices so far today and each receptionist has fed me the "give me your name and number and we'll get back to you" line 🙁 Not sure if I'm going about this the right way... should I drop into the offices in person? Should I ask to speak to the manager or dentist instead? I want to figure this out before I go ahead and possibly ruin my chances with any other offices in my area. Help! 😕

i was in the same position as you and most of them would say "oh we already have someone"
or " give me your name and number"
so i finally went in person and after i did i called them each week until they gave in 🙂
just be persistent and go in personally so they can see you!

 

[dentalWorks]

I've called six dental offices so far today and each receptionist has fed me the "give me your name and number and we'll get back to you" line 🙁 Not sure if I'm going about this the right way... should I drop into the offices in person? Should I ask to speak to the manager or dentist instead? I want to figure this out before I go ahead and possibly ruin my chances with any other offices in my area. Help! 😕

You may need to call up to 40-50 offices until someone finally gives you a different response (different being "no")

IMO, you need to stop by in person.

 

[ToothbrushBuddy]

First step: ask your dentist. Especially if your family has been going to him/her for a while.

Second step: network. Friends, professors, etc. might know someone. I got a couple offers from people who volunteered their father, friend, etc. I didn't even ask!

Third step: Free/community clinics. They are always looking for volunteers. I actually prefer this setting. Typically you get to help with more stuff, you feel useful and so much more.

I shadowed my family dentist and several dentists that volunteer with me at the free community clinic that I volunteer at let me shadow them in their own offices. Go shadow the dentist that made you want to become a dentist!