Just finished my first day of shadowing, how many times do you usually shadow at a practice?

[577455]

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I just finished my first day of shadowing at a general practice. I already have around 40 hours of volunteer work at a local dental clinic. I know I need at least 60 more hours pf dental experience before I apply which I am concerned about.

The doctor was really nice. He introduced me to the dental lab in the same complex and I was able to see that aspect. The staff was very helpful as well, and even wrote me a list of specialists to call that might be willing to let me come in. I was there for 3 hours. At the end, I thanked the dentist for letting me shadow, I told him I had learned a lot and asked if it would be okay to come back again. He said yes, and to just call his staff. I scheduled a return for next Monday (in 5 days) with the receptionist.

As I was saying good bye to the staff, I told them that I'll seem them again, one of them seemed surprised and exclaimed ,"Oh, you're coming back?".

Was this supposed to be a one time thing? How many times can I a shadow the dentist before I start becoming a nuisance. I'd really like to ask this dentist for a letter of recommendation but I don't know how many times I should shadow him, and for how long, without wearing out my welcome.

 

[OSUkid]

dont take things to seriously. He probably didnt have anything else to say. Their dentists they know pre-dents need a good amount of hours. Dont be scared friend.

 

[stc190]

I shadows a dentist for 3 weeks. As long as the dentist is ok with you coming back, don't bother what the staffs say.

 

[I want to go to there]

As long as the dentist is comfortable with. If you can find one that would let you shadow for around 40 hours, you will be golden. On the subject of recommendation letter, it's got more to do with how well your interaction went with your dentist. I've asked for my letters after I've only shadowed them for a day or two. So, if he seems to really like you, pick the right moment to ask him. You obviously don't want to wait too long since you don't want to shadow a dentist for awhile and have him refuse because he's too busy or something.

 

[dds2b219]

The staff in the office I shadowed didn't really understand the whole shadowing thing and said something similar to me. If the dentist is helpful id spend as much time there as you can without becoming annoying. Shadowing can be awkward at first, but once you get past the first few days it's smooth sailing!

 

[Incis0r]

I shadowed my dentist for a LONG time. I'm talking like 11 months. But this was off and on. I did it during the semesters only (so technically 7 months) and I went whenever I had a little bit of free time (his office was a 20 minute walk from my dorm) and he told me the same thing your dentist did- just set it up with the front desk and you're good. It was nice in a way because I got to see some pretty big cases over the time. Example: a patient needed an entire bridge redone + multiple fillings and crowns. So I got to see all of the comprehensive care for him. He had treatment planned over three or so months.

 

[ajj70]

How often/long you shadow is really something to work out with the dentist before you start. You really need to strive for about 100 hours minimum for most dental schools, and 60 or so should be with a GP. http://www.brynmawr.edu/healthpro/documents/DentalSchool_Addional_Requirements2015.pdf You want to show that you have a good feel for what goes on in the day to day life of a dentist. I'd call that dentist back and see if he is open for you to come in for 60 hours this summer if you have that time. I'd also call the specialists he suggested and set up times to shadow them as well. My plan is to shadow at least 3 GP's. I shadowed one group last summer that was an office of 5 GP's. I have arrangements made to shadow a GP that also does endo and some oral (extractions mostly) in solo practice (my dentist for the past 10 years....and sits on the admissions board for my in-state 😀 😀). and then a 3rd either larger group or possibly a corporate setting. I'm shadowing an OMFS this summer who said he really likes to have students come in and shadow, spends a lot of time with them, lets them assist chairside as much as possible too. I found him because he contacted my school looking for a student to fill in for a maternity leave for his surgical assistant (paid) but with my sports schedule I can't work there 🙁..but he said to come shadow this summer. I've set up 90 hours with him this summer.