Observational Hours... how do you do it?

[oreoson]

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Hello fellow predents,

I am shadowing a geriatric dentist at a senior home, and I am wasting substantial time waiting for each patient to be transported in and out.

I know some of you have +1000 hours of shadowing, and
I am curious how you guys manage time and find enthusiasm to do observational hours without getting bored.

Any suggestions??
BTW, I can't assist coz I live in Canada, and it's illegal to assist without an assisting degree here.

 

[peerless218]

Hello fellow predents,

I am shadowing a geriatric dentist at a senior home, and I am wasting substantial time waiting for each patient to be transported in and out.

I know some of you have +1000 hours of shadowing, and
I am curious how you guys manage time and find enthusiasm to do observational hours without getting bored.

Any suggestions??
BTW, I can't assist coz I live in Canada, and it's illegal to assist without an assisting degree here.

Well I don't just observe. The dental office I interned at actually let me do a lot of lab stuff and all the dentists and assistants let me do their teeth cleanings on themselves, so I was pretty occupied with that. I interned at that office every chance I get!!! summer break + winter break and I was working 8 sometimes 10 plus hours a day Mon through Sat. Well Sat is my half day so only goes till 9 - 5. I started doing that since 2002 so that's why I am able to get to 1000+ hours.

 

[MTSup]

Well I don't just observe. The dental office I interned at actually let me do a lot of lab stuff and all the dentists and assistants let me do their teeth cleanings on themselves, so I was pretty occupied with that. I interned at that office every chance I get!!! summer break + winter break and I was working 8 sometimes 10 plus hours a day Mon through Sat. Well Sat is my half day so only goes till 9 - 5. I started doing that since 2002 so that's why I am able to get to 1000+ hours.

OP said it's illegal to assist without an assisting degree in where she now resides.

 

[hopefuldentist]

I personally don't see how shadowing that many hours would be beneficial at all. (Unless you are doing other things like assisting). There's only so much you can learn from watching. I can't imagine that a dental school would care much past 100 hours. Of course, I'm not on an admissions committee... so... maybe they do like to see that.

 

[oreoson]

impressive!

Personally, I have some exposure to dentistry as well: I worked as a dental clerk/secretary for a year, and now I am working towards MSc in Dental science. BUT, when it comes to observing, I really can't commit myself to just sitting and watching for hours when I have a family and school to attend to.

Starting this Sat, I am shadowing my classmate in his clinic, I'll probably pretend to take notes, but I know I wouldn't know what to do with myself.

I live very close to the border, perhaps I could go observe/assist in this wonderful country of yours. ha!

 

[lphiewok]

yeah i personally think when ppl are saying they observed for 1000+ hours, it's either BS or they are just guessing their numbers..

i am working as a dental assistant (since during college for about 3 years now) and i can say i have more than 1000+ b/c i can add up all the numbers on my pay check sheet but it sure took me a very long time to reach that number.

i donno about canada, but it's actually very easy to get a dental assistant license in Texas. all i had to do was take one day course at this country club (i think cost was $200 but my dentist paid for it) and it lasted for about 5 hours and you get your certification. but it does take few months to get used to different procedures so just b/c you have a license, it doesnt really mean you know what you're doing.

i also heard about some ppl taking online courses to get the d.assistant license. ppl should look into it b/c it's a great way to get in the field and also to make money instead of just simply observing