LOE From a Dentist

[predencorey]

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I'm currently shadowing a dentist and plan on asking him to write me a LOE. The problem I see happening is that I want to apply for the 2011 cycle and as far as I can tell I can't get a link on AADSAS to give him for that cycle yet. What is the best way to approach this? Can I ask him to write the letter and submit it myself when I can fill out the 2011 application or should I just not ask him until I can get a link to give to him?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[gimmecaffeine]

I'm currently shadowing a dentist and plan on asking him to write me a LOE. The problem I see happening is that I want to apply for the 2011 cycle and as far as I can tell I can't get a link on AADSAS to give him for that cycle yet. What is the best way to approach this? Can I ask him to write the letter and submit it myself when I can fill out the 2011 application or should I just not ask him until I can get a link to give to him?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Will you discontinue shadowing your dentist by that time? In the case that there is a lapse between your shadowing and the time of application, I'd suggest asking for the LOE right after you complete your shadowing, and then remaining in touch with your dentist (as you should) so you can update them with information and thus any information in the LOE. That way, the information in the letter will be consistent with any other new accomplishments on your application.

Earlier you can get your letters taken care of, the better, I think. There will be too many other things to worry about then. 😉 Oh, and if your dentist happens to be very busy, it will give them more time to write your letter.

 

[reagansmash]

I agree with the poster above...definitely keep in touch with your dentist so you don't lose out on a letter.
The AADSAS link won't become available until June when the new cycle begins.

 

[predencorey]

He isn't the same dentist I go to for my checkups or anything so wouldn't it be kind of annoying if I routinely stopped in or called just to stay in touch? I think I will just let him know what the deal is and that I'd like him to write me a LOE but that I will not be able to submit it until June and ask him how he would like to proceed from there.

Any tips for breaking the ice about an LOE? All I've been doing is observing, he was pretty explicit about not getting in the way so I don't even know what he will write. After the week ends I'll have a total of 35 hours in the office. Should I stay longer? It's a pediatric office so I don't know how much more screaming children I can handle!

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Palmetto914]

Explicit about not getting in the way? Really? Did he allow you to ask questions? Did he introduce you to patients so you weren't some weirdo sitting in the corner?

if he doesn't want your shadowing disrupting his life even in the slightest, I'd ask him if it'd be OK for you to write the letter, and have him sign off on it. You'd type it up, email it to him, he could make corrections, and then he'd print the final draft on his letterhead and sign it.

The only downside might be whether or not he'd get around to signing it, so you'd have to stay on top of things. It'd probably be easier for him to sign off than to actually write a whole letter.

Why not ask your current dentist for an LOE? He/she'd probably know you a little better (assuming you've gone there a while...)

 

[gimmecaffeine]

He isn't the same dentist I go to for my checkups or anything so wouldn't it be kind of annoying if I routinely stopped in or called just to stay in touch? I think I will just let him know what the deal is and that I'd like him to write me a LOE but that I will not be able to submit it until June and ask him how he would like to proceed from there.

Any tips for breaking the ice about an LOE? All I've been doing is observing, he was pretty explicit about not getting in the way so I don't even know what he will write. After the week ends I'll have a total of 35 hours in the office. Should I stay longer? It's a pediatric office so I don't know how much more screaming children I can handle!

Thanks for the feedback.

Since he's a dentist, he knows the general process (altho they may be a bit unfamiliar with the new online submission - which is really simple anyways).

I would ask him if you could shadow and then volunteer more in the office, because you felt that you need to become better acquainted with the office or the field, etc. That's how I got acquainted with my letter-writer dentist. Did lots of filing, inventory, labeling, more filing, cleaning and sterilizing, organizing burs, speaking with marketers, assisting, etc. The more you do for them, the more they'll be able to write about you and your abilities.

Then when you are either finishing up your volunteering (although it would probably be better to continue volunteering for as long as possible) or when you are applying (assuming you are still volunteering then), I'd bring up your concerns about the applications, and ask if he would like to be one of your letter-writers and help get you into dental school.

HOWEVER, there are some dentists who don't want a volunteer or dental/sterilization assistant in their way. I don't know why this is, but some dentists just want someone to watch them work....its weird. If your dentist is such a person, I'd suggest finding another office where they actually want you to succeed.

Though it's been over a year since I volunteered in a clinic, I occasionally email my mentor dentist, and send her the usual holiday cards and update her on what's going on. Usually, they appreciate it, and are more than happy to volunteer tons of advice.

Good luck! 😀

 

[SmilezZz]

Does your school do a committee letter? If they do, you can just have him send the LOE to your school....

 

[predencorey]

My regular dentist is a family member so I didn't want it to be biased....He does allow me to ask questions but after almost 20 hours with him I'm out of stuff to say... I usually introduce myself to the patients since I'm generally with them and the assistant before he shows up. I figure even if he doesn't write me a letter I'll find another dentist to write one closer to June so I can make it as easy as possible for them with the link.

 

[SunnySang]

I will be starting to shadow dentist soon so this topic raises a questions. Would i want them to write a LOE (which im guessing is a letter of recoomendation) when im applying for dental school or when im almost done at there office? Im currently a freshman in college and it would be pretty interesting to go back to a dentist 2 years later and have them write a me a letter. I was thinking when i was done shadowing, to just have them write me a LOE and then i would hold it until the time was necessary to submit it??

 

[predencorey]

I did exactly what I said I would and asked him to write me one in June when applications open. He expressed his concerns on not knowing me that well but told me to give him a resume and my transcript/gpa to help him write a better letter.

Anyone have any other suggestions on what I can do to help him get to know me better? There really isn't much time for him and I to just chit chat other than about the current procedure. I'm just glad he agreed. I was worried he'd say no!

 

[FreeFallin]

This is a great question. I am planning on asking my boss for a LOR. I've been working as an RDH for him for almost 2.5 years, so he knows me well. I'm also planning on applying in June 2010.

 

[bigstix808]

I did exactly what I said I would and asked him to write me one in June when applications open. He expressed his concerns on not knowing me that well but told me to give him a resume and my transcript/gpa to help him write a better letter.

Anyone have any other suggestions on what I can do to help him get to know me better? There really isn't much time for him and I to just chit chat other than about the current procedure. I'm just glad he agreed. I was worried he'd say no!

i know it was mentioned above, but i would write something up your self and see what he/she thinks about it...revise if nec...and then have them sign it. throw that bad boy in a sealed envelope and put the aadsas paper in a new envelope once your cycle opens so they can be mailed together.

 

[StirrinIt]

u can submit it to interfolio.com right now.. it costs like 20 bucks to make an account but it stores ur LORs confidentially and u can send to aadsas thru that.

 

[teeth32]

It's a pediatric office so I don't know how much more screaming children I can handle!

Just another suggestion... You should start looking at requirements for schools you might want to apply to. I noticed some schools (such as Ohio State) requires 20 hours in a GENERAL DENTISTRY practice. With that in mind, you might want to shadow a general dentist, rather than a specialist. Good luck!