Opinions on shadowing ?

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I have been shadowing for the last two semesters which amounts to around 128 hours. My pre health advisor told me that it was a necessary to be a competitive applicant. Recently however I stumbled across a dentist's post on sdn that seemed to think otherwise. I would like to know if anyone has any more idea's on the subject, I would really appreciate all input.

 

[JRock310]

well, i only have 50 hours, and i even think that is enough. i think accumulating a good amount of hours is awesome, though, because it shows that you know what you're getting yourself into and that you have seen enough of the field to be able to know you want to be a dentist/go to dental school.

the thing of it is, there are only SO many hours you can sit there and watch the dentist do a lot of the same procedures, especially because since he/she is working inside the mouth, you really can't see much anyway. the dentist i shadowed let me come look over his shoulder many times, and it was still pretty difficult to see everything clearly. if you are thinking of specializing, it might be interesting to observe different specialists on top of a general dentist.

i think the amount of hours you have is perfect. it shows a great commitment, IMO. what did the dentist who posted have to say?

 

[Philippines03j]

I have been shadowing for the last two semesters which amounts to around 128 hours. My pre health advisor told me that it was a necessary to be a competitive applicant. Recently however I stumbled across a dentist's post on sdn that seemed to think otherwise. I would like to know if anyone has any more idea's on the subject, I would really appreciate all input.

If it meets the requirements for the schools you are going to you should be fine. Just be able to tell a few good experiences and what you learned. But if you want to be more competitive try to find an opportunity assisting. I learned more in my first 25 hours of assisting than I did my 100+ hours of shadowing. I now have over 350 hours assisting and I know so much more about the profession.

 

[nze82]

Refer to this thread for more info:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527523&highlight=doc+toothache+shadowing

 

[doc toothache]

If it meets the requirements for the schools you are going to you should be fine. Just be able to tell a few good experiences and what you learned. But if you want to be more competitive try to find an opportunity assisting. I learned more in my first 25 hours of assisting than I did my 100+ hours of shadowing. I now have over 350 hours assisting and I know so much more about the profession.

Knowing "more about the professions is great". Knowing more about dental procedures may require some serious deprogramming once you are in ds.

 

[DrSpeed]

If it meets the requirements for the schools you are going to you should be fine. Just be able to tell a few good experiences and what you learned. But if you want to be more competitive try to find an opportunity assisting. I learned more in my first 25 hours of assisting than I did my 100+ hours of shadowing. I now have over 350 hours assisting and I know so much more about the profession.

It also shows a greater level of commitment AND shows the selection committee that you have made a more experienced decision about the career path you are taking. If the decision for the last chair in the program comes down to two candidates that are equal in all aspects but one has done the minimum number of hours shadowing and the other did 350 hours assisting...

The main difference is that you have to remember that the application process is a competition and that the process the admission committee goes through isn't a selection process, its a rejection process. That being said you have to consider what your competition is doing and make an effort to ensure that the committee rejects the other guy.

 

[doc toothache]

The main difference is that you have to remember that the application process is a competition and that the process the admission committee goes through isn't a selection process, its a rejection process. That being said you have to consider what your competition is doing and make an effort to ensure that the committee rejects the other guy.

Interesting concept but more likely a "selection process" where the collateral damage results in significant rejections.