I did my first dental observation today--what to do?

[Divineimpetus]

I did my first two hours of dental observation today and it went really well. I got to see some fillings, a root canal, a guy with no teeth and Harry Potter 🙂

It was really interesting and I am glad I finally got do observations but I felt completely useless. The only thing I did functionally was get a dental assistant and hand the dentist some numbing supplies (I had no idea how to name anything). So I have a few questions.

1. What kind of things did you do while observing, and definitely suggest doing?
2. Are there any websites that can help you learn some dental vocabulary?
3. Anyone else's feet hurt? 🙂
4. What did give/offer to the dentist for letting you observe?


Thanks.

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[ISU_Steve]

I did my first two hours of dental observation today and it went really well. I got to see some fillings, a root canal, a guy with no teeth and Harry Potter 🙂

It was really interesting and I am glad I finally got do observations but I felt completely useless. The only thing I did functionally was get a dental assistant and hand the dentist some numbing supplies (I had no idea how to name anything). So I have a few questions.

1. What kind of things did you do while observing, and definitely suggest doing?
2. Are there any websites that can help you learn some dental vocabulary?
3. Anyone else's feet hurt? 🙂
4. What did give/offer to the dentist for letting you observe?


Thanks.

1. The first couple of times at the office I have spent most of my time at I stood around and observed, asked a few questions (the standard "What's that? What's it used for? etc). The third time I went back, I got assigned to act as the chairside assistant. 👍
2. I don't have an answer for this one. Perhaps one of the other member's would have a good answer for you.
3. Yes. But it beats the heck out of observing open heart surgery or something else where you stand in one spot for hours and don't move.
4. For most offices, just my thanks. I've bought pizza for everyone at the office I go to all the time once, but that's just because I was in the mood for pizza and couldn't eat a whole one by myself (and nowhere here sells it by the slice).

 

[Utes]

1. What kind of things did you do while observing, and definitely suggest doing?
I discreetly asked questions after the procedure as it appeared he didn't want to talk about things while he was working. If he was just getting a bunch of cleanings one day, I would ask him questions about other procedures, machines, materials, billing, you name it.

2. Are there any websites that can help you learn some dental vocabulary?
I didn't look for vocab but I found one that showed numbering of adult teeth and lettering of children's teeth along with brief explanations of procedures, nothing too fancy though.

3. Anyone else's feet hurt?
The dentist I shadowed sat down the entire time and he gave me a chair from a different operatory that I would bring around with me to each chair.

4. What did give/offer to the dentist for letting you observe?
I asked my dentist for a letter of rec after I shadowed him and I brought a gift certificate from a local restaurant for him (While shadowing I found out he was single and the office girls would tease him about eating out EVERY single meal)

 

[Biogirl361]

I did my first two hours of dental observation today and it went really well. I got to see some fillings, a root canal, a guy with no teeth and Harry Potter 🙂

It was really interesting and I am glad I finally got do observations but I felt completely useless. The only thing I did functionally was get a dental assistant and hand the dentist some numbing supplies (I had no idea how to name anything). So I have a few questions.

1. What kind of things did you do while observing, and definitely suggest doing?
2. Are there any websites that can help you learn some dental vocabulary?
3. Anyone else's feet hurt? 🙂
4. What did give/offer to the dentist for letting you observe?


Thanks.

Hi,

1. Usually observation sessions are just that- observation. you shouldn't really go in expecting to actually do anything, especially what with you having zero experience/knowledge. many dentists will just want you to stay quiet and out of the way. However, sometimes if you shadow the same dentist for a while, you can build up a relationship where the dentist will eventually offer to let you help out more.

2. if you type "dental terminology", "dental dictionary" or "dental glossary" into your search engine there are quite a few sites - take your pick 🙂

3. I actually found that my feet hurt much less after a day in the office than after a night at my restaurant job 😀

4. If you're only with them for a few days/week - mail them and their staff a nice thank-you card after your last day. If you're with them long enough to get to be friends with everyone, maybe bring in some cookies or muffins or something on your last day in addition to the card.

 

[ianwright]

I did my first two hours of dental observation today and it went really well. I got to see some fillings, a root canal, a guy with no teeth and Harry Potter 🙂

It was really interesting and I am glad I finally got do observations but I felt completely useless. The only thing I did functionally was get a dental assistant and hand the dentist some numbing supplies (I had no idea how to name anything). So I have a few questions.

1. What kind of things did you do while observing, and definitely suggest doing?
2. Are there any websites that can help you learn some dental vocabulary?
3. Anyone else's feet hurt? 🙂
4. What did give/offer to the dentist for letting you observe?


Thanks.

1. What did I do? - OBSERVE. (that pretty much sums it up) The dentist did not really have much expectation from me, and he was doing me a favor.

2. Yes, do searches on google - you'll find some. But don't feel like you have to know certain terms to feel more comfortable while shadowing! The dentist does not expect you to know the protocal for extractions!

3. Not really

4. Some Flowers, Chocolate, and a Card. We hit it off real well! Just kidding!

 

[Jaws]

I did my first two hours of dental observation today and it went really well. I got to see some fillings, a root canal, a guy with no teeth and Harry Potter 🙂

It was really interesting and I am glad I finally got do observations but I felt completely useless. The only thing I did functionally was get a dental assistant and hand the dentist some numbing supplies (I had no idea how to name anything). So I have a few questions.

1. What kind of things did you do while observing, and definitely suggest doing?
2. Are there any websites that can help you learn some dental vocabulary?
3. Anyone else's feet hurt? 🙂
4. What did give/offer to the dentist for letting you observe?


Thanks.

1. Observing is basically all that you can do. If you have a question of the dentist, ask. If you don't understand what the dentist is saying, with science courses behind you, the patient very likely won't. This allows the dentist to help to educate you and the patient (and show off a little too). 😉. One thing to keep in mind...use a bit of discretion when you are asking questions of the dentists. If the dentist makes a mistake or if you have a question about something like malpractice insurance, ask about that when the patient is out of earshot.

2. I am sure that the ADA likely has something, but your best bet is to ask the dentist. If you are like me, they will say something that you will want to
look up, but by the time you get home, you will have forgotten the term. 😉

3. Many dentists offered me a seat, but you can see more when you are standing.

4. I think that you should always do something to show your appreciation. It really depends on the time that you spend and how open they are with you. I shadowed several specialists that my dad refers to. I would often spend about a week at each practice, and the dentists whom I shadowed often took me out to lunch (which in Santa Fe could be pricy). I got each of them a bottle of wine and a card. There were a few who I spent less time with, and I took them a pie or something like that.

I also think that it is important that you do something for the staff. Dentists are often protective of them and will appreciate a kind gesture towards them. I found that a box of Krispy Kremes went over really well.

 

[toofache32]

Here's my recommendations:

1. What kind of things did you do while observing, and definitely suggest doing?
Ask him if you can see his bank books. And when he starts a filling say, "are you sure that's the right tooth?" to keep him from drilling the wrong tooth. Ask him why he couldn't get in to med school. If you want to be funny, tell each patient "I hope you don't scream like the last guy".

 

[divertete]

You should see if you can get one of the hygienists to teach you how to do perio charting. At least it's something to do when things get slow, they always need extra hands to do that. Plus it's a great way to start becoming familiar with the tooth surfaces and numbers.

 

[netsn06]

2. Are there any websites that can help you learn some dental vocabulary?
Thanks.

this site is a nice pre-k intro to some procedures and dental issues...w/ pictures and animation of course.

http://www.animated-teeth.com/index.htm