Intern/Shadow Differences?

[SXCoronado]

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[customx]

I would take the opportunity to assist if offered and find another dentist to shadow. Assisting is, IMO more valuable than shadowing, but what really matters most is what you put into the experience.

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[Glimmer1991]

I always "volunteered" while I shadowed--cleaning up rooms, filing, setting up for patients, etc. They're the same thing. You can call it what you wish on your application. You're unpaid either way.

 

[doc toothache]

Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as "internship" at the pre dental level.

 

[SXCoronado]

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[dbd]

You should shadow general dentists in addition to other specialists, but I'd take him up on his offer. You'd definitely gain a better perspective of what it's like to work in an office than you would through just shadowing.

 

[ModifiedBass]

It's still shadowing, doesn't matter what you call it, so yes continue.

 

[dentalWorks]

Hi everyone,

I shadowed an ortho 2 days this week and he offered me the ability to intern with him by assisting in setting the tables up/doing things for him that actually help, as opposed to just asking questions and following by shadowing. He specifically offered me the entirety of next week and 1 more day the next week.

I am wondering if I should accept, or try to shadow other dentists as I only have the 15 hours shadowing him. I could spend next week shadowing different types of dentists. Thoughts?

(Applying in 1 year's time, trying to get to 100 hrs shadowing)

please understand, shadowing & volunteering DO NOT IMPROVE your odds of getting in (unless its one of those crazy schools that require 1000+ volunteer hours - forgot which). Shadowing is important cause it gives you an excuse to answer the "so...why dentistry?" question during the interview. You would have a hard time convincing the interviewer without some shadowing experience to back it up.

To OP, an ortho office is day&night different from general dentistry. You should spend time shadowing a GP, its more important that shadowing a specialist (especially since 75%+ of graduates end up in GP anyways).

Now, I am not for nor against the ortho intership (I mean, if you wanna do it for fun, go for it), but don't do it for the hopes of improving your application - I don't believe it has any bearing

 

[SXCoronado]

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