My First Job Shadow...nervous and need advice!

[TUstudent22]

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Hi,

I'm just starting out as a pre-dental student in college and doing a job shadow and I'm nervous and not sure what are the "right" questions I need to ask are, any help/advice/wisdom?

Thanks!!

 

[93geo]

ask questions that will help you understand what its like to be a dentist day to day. The purpose of shadowing is to help you figure out whether or not you can see yourself being a dentist.

 

[Predent1771]

Don't be nervous, be excited. On my first day I asked what they like and didn't like about being a dentist, what the best parts of his job was, what his day to day consists of, and ask about procedures; tools you don't know about and ask why things are being done not just what he is doing (or "she" if it is a female you are shaddowing)

my first day shadowing I almost feinted watching a surgical extraction and had to leave the room and sit down. But that was the only time it ever happened and now I've seen crazy implants, perio surges etc and never even winced. And the dentist who I almost feinted with became a great mentor of my mine!

So get excited, if you really want to be a dentist your curiosity and love for the profession will make the questions come naturally! I couldn't wait to find out more and more!

 

[Impulse155]

What type of dentist are you shadowing?

Generally what you want to do is keep the questions simple, try to not ask him questions that would require a lengthy explanation while he is working since you dont want him distracted.

Also, the statement "There are no stupid questions" is completly false. If you think a question might be dumb, ask the assistant and if they have to think about it then its a good question to ask the doctor.

You can ask him simple questions such as "What is that" or "What does this do" while he is working. It shows that you are interested. Also, after you have been there for a while try and notice suttle differences he does in procedures. It shows that you are paying attention.

You also dont only have to ask him dental related questions. If hes a sports fan, and so are you, ask him about sports. The cosmetic dentist I intern at is a huge baseball fan, we talk about it all the time, and his little league coaching since hes big into that.

 

[Bis-GMA111]

just ask questions about the procedures, and ask about what it's like to run a business etc.

don't ask too many questions though, as it may annoy the dentist you're shadowing..i usually only spoke when i was spoken too (aside from a question here and there about the procedures), or during lunch breaks where i would ask a crap load of questions. the girl that shadowed with me would talk ALL THE TIME and the dentist would always complain to me about her. i guess it worked out in my favor, hah. i even remember her asking if "those are the teeth, right?". priceless.

 

[jackalo34]

I shadowed a dentist for the first time today and I was very very excited about it. I had trouble going to sleep from thinking so much about it.

I say be yourself. I was able to watch 2 fillings and 2 complicated crowns and tried not to force questions. In my case, the dentists were very nice and explained things in depth to me, which got me even more excited to learn more in the future.

I agree with Impulse155-if you see something that intrigues you, ask him about it. Enjoy it, it's your future! (Well, not the standing and watching 😛)

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=844904

 

[TeethGeek9]

I'm sort of embarrassed to admit this, but the first 4 or 5 times I shadowed, I had some lightheaded-ness that required me to excuse myself to sit down for some time. I'm not sure how many people this happens to, but in my case it wasn't even for things like extractions. Turns out I was subconsciously holding my breath as I observed because I was concentrating so hard. So remember to breathe! And remember to bounce on your toes sometimes when you're standing to keep the blood flowing!

 

[TUstudent22]

He's a general & cosmetic dentist.

 

[HillsNayyr]

Just dress nicely, act professionally and respectful and ask them before hand if you can ask questions while they are treating a patient. Most of them will say yes and then just ask anything that you're curious about. Or you can save your questions for when they're between patients. Most of the dentists that I've met are pretty nice and helpful when it comes to shadowing.

 

[srbm1786]

I'm not going to repeat everything that's already been said, but I wanted to add that you want to make sure to befriend the assistants and hygienists too, because they can answer a lot of your more basic questions (especially if, like me, you're totally unfamiliar with procedures, dental equipment, etc when you start). But it's really been my experience that once you get the dentist talking, they like telling you what's going on and will usually explain it in more depth than you really understand. 😉