Observation Hours

Started by Divineimpetus
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Divineimpetus

Divineimpetus

Trucker's Atlas
15+ Year Member
What's the best way of getting observation hours if you don't know any dentists in town?

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How many observation hours should someone have before applying to dental school?
 
I would say a min of 40....but don't just observe, help out. Help the front desk file and ask if the asst. will let you poor up some models.
 
Divineimpetus said:
What's the best way of getting observation hours if you don't know any dentists in town?

--- and ---

How many observation hours should someone have before applying to dental school?
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Yeah, seriously just open up the phone book...i guarantee the dentist section will stand out. The majority of schools do not have a minimum number of required hours, although i believe Tufts and UDM require at least 30. Try to observe a variety of dentists, you will find that some are much more accommodating to an observing student than others. I believe it's to everyones benefit to observe as much as possible before dental school, but don't sweat it if you can't get in much more than 30 hours...that's just a number it's the experiences that count.
 
Like many things in dental school applications the answer to your question is: It depends on the school.

Some schools don't have any minimum # of hours.

UMKC has a requirement of 80-100 hours in 4 different offices!! 😱

Also some schools require documentation of what you did and for how long (ie: Some schools requires you fill out a form)
 
msf41 said:
Like many things in dental school applications the answer to your question is: It depends on the school.

Some schools don't have any minimum # of hours.

UMKC has a requirement of 80-100 hours in 4 different offices!! 😱

Also some schools require documentation of what you did and for how long (ie: Some schools requires you fill out a form)
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do u happen to know which schools? my dentist told me he wrote in the LOR all the stuff i did and for how long..is that going to be good enough?
 
MitchSE-R said:
do u happen to know which schools? my dentist told me he wrote in the LOR all the stuff i did and for how long..is that going to be good enough?
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I knwo U of MInnesota requires 30 hours
 
msf41 said:
I think this form is lame...I have enough paper work to fill out. I don't want to have to go back to the same dentist that I just begged a LOR out of to fill this out.
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yeah i know what u mean..it was a big hassle getting the LOR from my dentist..i would hate to have to ask him to do more stuff for me
 
I would have to say enough hours where you know this is what you want to do. If you don't have any experience how do you know this career is for you? And like someone said don't just watch but ask if you can help somehow, I'm sure they would be more than glad to take you if you work for FREE!!!!
 
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