I was supposed to shadow but I actually "assisted." Does it count as shadowing hours?

[bsfree]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I heard that shadowing hours and assisting hours may be counted differently. Well I've went to a dentist to gain some shadowing hours but after the first week, the dentist let me sit on the assistant's chair and taught me how to assist through the procedures, and since then I've been assisting most of the procedures from start to finish. However I've cleaned and set up the room, prepped and sterilized the instruments before and after every procedure too, so not just strictly "assisted." I was not paid for any of this either which I am completely fine with, since I was there to learn about dentistry as a pre-dental student.

How should I list shadowing hours on the application? Does this count as shadowing hours as well? Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[kimball]

If you weren't paid I would say shadowing. Sounds like a great dentist.

 

[JLT223]

I hope the state you're in doesn't require DA certification.

 

[1passbbsSHAVE]

Just make sure when he writes the letter, you talk to him beforehand and let him know to include something about shadowing, instead of assisting.

 

[BeyonceFan1226]

I was in your same exact situation last year! It really depends on the state you live in. If there is no certification required to assist at an entry level, I would say volunteer dental assistant. There is a space on the application to describe exactly what you have done so be descriptive there. I helped my dentist suction spit and prepped/sterilized instruments so I specifically stated that so I wouldn't be asked what instruments and such are used for a specific procedure from start to finish because I wasn't at that level. One of my friends was a dental assistant for three years and they asked her to describe the exact instruments used in order for a root canal and the procedure at her UCONN interview.

 

[minionphil]

I was in your same exact situation last year! It really depends on the state you live in. If there is no certification required to assist at an entry level, I would say volunteer dental assistant. There is a space on the application to describe exactly what you have done so be descriptive there. I helped my dentist suction spit and prepped/sterilized instruments so I specifically stated that so I wouldn't be asked what instruments and such are used for a specific procedure from start to finish because I wasn't at that level. One of my friends was a dental assistant for three years and they asked her to describe the exact instruments used in order for a root canal and the procedure at her UCONN interview.

Hey, do you think help set up/clean rooms and sterilizing instruments are okay to do for someone who's uncertified (just a regular pre-dent student)? I did all these at the clinic that I shadowed at, but don't want to put anything down that boarders on rule violations... thanks!