Observation hours?

[toyotasupra]

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I'm not sure how it works. Do I just call or write to a dentist out of the phone book and ask if I can do observation hours?

And if he/she agrees, how do I prove that I did these hours at his/her clinic?

Thanks!

 

[Extirpator]

pretty much... just call a local dentist (maybe even your own) and ask if you can shadow him/her for a couple days.

Some secondaries will ask for the dentists phone number, but other than that, it's an honor system as far as I know.

 

[sionbz]

just go down the line of local dentists in the phone book (if your own is not available), visit their office and tell them that you are considering dentistry as a career and would like to get an idea of what it is like in the office and ask them politely if they wouldn't mind you watching them for a few hours a week (most schools have a minimum of 40-50 hours) Many dentists are willing to let people shadow them but only if they can tell that you are going to take full advantage of the opportunity and not just take up space (by that i mean intently watch what they are doing and respect them and the assistants).

as for proving it, usually you can ask them for a recommendation if the experience went well. Some dentists do it often and have a generic letter that they use.

 

[toyotasupra]

Have you guys ever gotten rejected? Just curious.

Ok thanks guys! I'll probably call tomorrow and try to setup something.

 

[doc3232]

Have you guys ever gotten rejected? Just curious.

Ok thanks guys! I'll probably call tomorrow and try to setup something.

Very likely to get rejected. You are hassling the dentist.

 

[TedyBearSuicide]

I'm not sure how it works. Do I just call or write to a dentist out of the phone book and ask if I can do observation hours?

And if he/she agrees, how do I prove that I did these hours at his/her clinic?

Thanks!

Look up dentists around your area on google maps. Visit their website and get to know their practice before you visit. So during your first meet and greet with the dentist you can bring up the website and start a conversation and show him/her of your interest in shadowing.

Many schools require a recommendation letter from a dentist. Simply request to have the number of hours included in that letter.