Need info about shadowing dentists

[mshabso1]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Right now I am in my 2nd year of undergrad. I am interested in shadowing a dentist over winter break. Is there a recommended number of hours that I should shadow a dentist for?

I compiled a HUGE list of local dentists in my area and tomorrow I am going to call each one until I find a dentist that will allow me to shadow. Should I just ask the person that answers the phone, or should I ask for someone else such as the dentist? It is probably unlikely to talk to the dentist because they probably have better things to do then talk to me.

Also, what should I say?

Hi, my name is Bob and I am a student at ______ and I was interested in shadowing the dentist in your office. Do you offer such opportunities?

will that suffice or should I use a different approach?

Thanks

 

[rewJW]

I shadowed two general dentists. One was easy, he's my best friend's dad so I just asked him one night when I was at her house if I could do it and he said sure, and we set up a time. The other one, ultimately I called the office and they took down my brief info (my name, that I want to be a dentist, where I went to school, etc.) and the dentist herself called me back and set up a time for me to come in. I had also called a few other local dentists out of the phone book and left messages with their receptionists but never got a phone call back. If you have problems getting dentists to respond so that you can shadow, try contacting one of the dental schools and see if they can point you in the right direction. I went to some presentation at UMDNJ last year and they said that if you email them they can help you find a dentist to shadow; but since I never had to do this, I don't know how true that really is lol.

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527523