I'm going to shadow my dentist, what should I do/expect from the experience?

[leighkiwi]

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I've never job shadowed before so I'm not sure what to do/expect

While I was getting work done I asked my dentist if I could shadow at the office for a day to see what it's like because I'm researching different career paths and Dentistry is at the top of the list, followed by dental hygiene.

I'm very excited that they said yes but now I'm kind of nervous because
A) I don't want to be in the way
B) I don't want them to feel awkward with me there looking over their shoulder all day

I don't know if I should ask to shadow all day or just for a few hours, what's normal?
I'm planning on bringing a notebook, it that to dorky? Should I not and just watch instead?

I'm even worrying about what to wear, do I wear my hair up? May sound stupid but I have no idea

I'm very interested in endodontics and pediatric dentistry, so hopefully I'll be able to see a few root canals, I've seen myself get one which was very interesting.

Also what are some key questions to ask while I'm there? I'm going to try to talk to as many people as I can that work there (Assistants, hygienists, dentists)

Thank You!

 

[#kalel]

30 minutes of actual observation, and rest of the time in lalaland. In all honesty...

 

[sgv]

You're gonna get bored. So ask a lot of questions. OR the doc might just want you to be quiet and observe. If they let you assist, make sure you wear the mask, gloves, and maybe eye protection that they're expected to give you.

 

[techyguy]

This book has a bunch of questions you can ask:
http://www.amazon.com/Dental-School...3&sr=8-1&keywords=the+dental+school+interview

I loved shadowing, but I honestly can't remember what my first questions were. I had 3 pages of notes from just one day. I was lucky, my first dentist volunteered a lot of information, and the conversation and questions branched from there. Pretty soon, you pick up what you're interested in. I wrote questions down for later when the doc was talking to a patient. I kept most of mine after hours for 45 minutes to 1.5 hours with various questions about the business. You're picking the brain of a very smart person, so it's not hard to just run with it.

 

[kingenamel]

You don't need to bring anything to write. You can shadow for a few hours, if you shadow the entire day you will get tired and bored. Just play it by ear in terms of how you observe. If the doc explains things as he is doing them (what happened in my case) you can ask him questions here and there but if he is dead silent and doesn't address you, you may want to ask your questions after each appointment is over. It really depends on the dentists and how they are. I shadowed a few dentists and they were all very nice and friendly and they talked to me the entire time. I also talked with the patients and overall it was a good experience because it lets you know if you will have any interest in dentistry whatsoever.

 

[leighkiwi]

Awesome thank you!

I'm just reading that it's not common to shadow in Canada, is that true? I thought it was required at most Dental schools, I could be wrong though