looking to shadow a gp, need some advice

[Bis-GMA111]

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hi guys,

so i have around 200 hours of shadowing an ortho, and a pediatric dentist.

i have some more free time now during the week, so I'm looking to shadow a gp

how many hours should i aim for? i know that schools have "cut offs" for shadowing, and i meet that, but i know that schools prefer shadowing a gp, so i was just wondering.

 

[customx]

As long as you have 100 hours total you will be fine. You have more than enough hours, but maybe you want to get 30-50 at a GP. It's totally up to you though how much additional shadowing you really need

 

[littlemisspiggy]

what would you say is the "minimum" amount of hours needed?

 

[crax]

do one day and then list it write it off as 10 hours.

shoot for 100 on paper., minimum is probably 20, which can be generously claimed as 25 30.

 

[timwatley]

If you have the time I'd say 40 hours. Ortho can be very hard to match into. Some schools may want to see that you're interested in general dentistry overall.

 

[littlemisspiggy]

OP, sorry to "borrow" your thread but I have a quick question to anyone

I know that on the aadsas app, you list the people you shadowed and the amount of hours you shadowed but is there any real proof to those hours? I think I read somewhere that some schools have a sign off sheet with number of shadowed hours. Is this true?

thank you!

 

[littlemisspiggy]

bump!

 

[Bis-GMA111]

^good question. i'd like to know that as well

 

[AlbinoPolarBear]

At the places I shadowed, I asked the front office manager to sign a letter for me, stating how many hours I shadowed there. Some schools require the dentist to state in their recommendation letter how many hours you shadowed.

The dental schools will most likely not confirm the number of hours. The whole application, from volunteer hours, work experience hours and shadowing hours are filled out by you, and dental schools will believe you'll be honest. But if you're gonna lie about how many hours you shadowed, make sure your dentist plays along too just in case they decide to investigate. But it may look bad on you if you ask your dentist to lie.

 

[TheClutch]

OP, sorry to "borrow" your thread but I have a quick question to anyone

I know that on the aadsas app, you list the people you shadowed and the amount of hours you shadowed but is there any real proof to those hours? I think I read somewhere that some schools have a sign off sheet with number of shadowed hours. Is this true?

thank you!

every time I shadow I wrote down hours and date. After my dentists agree to write me a letter, I gave that info along with my PS, resume, etc. Just ask him/her to add how many hours on the letter.

on a side note, try to build a good relationship with dentists, not just for letters. get to know them personally and let them be your lifelong mentors. Even after I got accepted, I still swing by and say hi to them and keep in touch, ask qs about dentistry, etc. It's about only a year since I've met them but I know I will maintain the relationship for the rest of my life.