I am an upcoming sophomore and just shadowed a dentist for the first time today. The dentist was saying I can email him to do dental assisting in a free clinic he also works at but the dates he was reading off were a couple months apart from each other and at times that I will probably be in class...so I am worried because I thought you need to shadow a dentist on a regular basis? Or does it not matter if you shadow a bunch of dentists as long as you shadow a certain number of hours? I'm confused. Also for now (biology and general chemistry completed) my gpa is a 3.75, I have started volunteering at a special needs camp, joined an honor society, started volunteering in a research lab, and will hopefully start volunteering in a hospital for a couple hours a week during the school semester. Another concern is I don't know where to find the time to shadow a dentist with my schedule in the fall, since I am mainly free during lunch and in the evenings.
Pre-dental shadowing
- Thread starter TeethMe
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2014
- Messages
- 858
- Reaction score
- 548
If you're assisting in the free clinic I believe they consider that as volunteering, I don't think shadowing on a regular basis is necessary but it would probably allow your dentist to get to know you better which could benefit your letter. Just don't do something too out of norm like 10 general practices with 10hours each and you'll be fine and if it doesn't fit into your schedule just cram it in between terms
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2014
- Messages
- 858
- Reaction score
- 548
Exact hours depend on the individual program, aim for 100+
- Joined
- May 29, 2015
- Messages
- 41
- Reaction score
- 29
I just posted a thread/blog post about this if you want to check it out... http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/shadowing-effectively-my-two-cents.1147174/#post-16648698
My advice is to do at least 50 hrs with the same general dentist. Ad coms want to see commitment and consistency, not someone who gets bored or can't get invited back to shadow again. I realize that this is not the case with you but you don't want to give the committee a chance to second guess you. I would suggest finding another dentist to shadow and do that assisting as well if you have time. That would look great on your application. If you need any tips there are some in that thread I posted above or you can message me.
My advice is to do at least 50 hrs with the same general dentist. Ad coms want to see commitment and consistency, not someone who gets bored or can't get invited back to shadow again. I realize that this is not the case with you but you don't want to give the committee a chance to second guess you. I would suggest finding another dentist to shadow and do that assisting as well if you have time. That would look great on your application. If you need any tips there are some in that thread I posted above or you can message me.
So would you suggest also finding another dentist to shadow and they might give me a regular schedule to come in? Or should I call the same dentist office again in at the end of the week and ask them if I can come in again the next week?
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2012
- Messages
- 127
- Reaction score
- 85
I've shadowed 4 GP's and 2 specialists with the most being 30 hours at one place. While consistency in shadowing is important, it can become monotonous shadowing a single dentist for 200+ hrs. I felt that doing this would allow me to experience a greater scope of dentistry -- and it has! No two dentists perform procedures/run their practice the same way.
Also, I'd feel like a burden for the office if I was there every single day asking the same questions about **** I know nothing about. Just food for thought! Great you're starting early though.
Also, I'd feel like a burden for the office if I was there every single day asking the same questions about **** I know nothing about. Just food for thought! Great you're starting early though.
- Joined
- May 29, 2015
- Messages
- 41
- Reaction score
- 29
This is true Thanhn, but I know that some schools require this unfortunately. haha. One of my friends kinda got taken to the cleaners during and interview for something like that... they don't want to see that you get sick of something so easily, even though it is pretty boring in all honesty. haha. But by no means should you do 200+ with the same dentist unless it is your dad.
No, I think 50 was the most I saw required from a single dentist. TeethMe, honestly, your best bet is to spend quite a bit of time with that dentist so that you can get a solid letter of rec. by doing service and shadowing with him. But it is true that you don't want to bother the him etc. I would just feel it out with your schedule and see what works best... maybe you do a few hrs shadowing and assist as much as you can then find someone else who fits your schedule better to spend the bulk of your time with.
No, I think 50 was the most I saw required from a single dentist. TeethMe, honestly, your best bet is to spend quite a bit of time with that dentist so that you can get a solid letter of rec. by doing service and shadowing with him. But it is true that you don't want to bother the him etc. I would just feel it out with your schedule and see what works best... maybe you do a few hrs shadowing and assist as much as you can then find someone else who fits your schedule better to spend the bulk of your time with.
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2013
- Messages
- 1,475
- Reaction score
- 1,109
Many dentists are very happy to answer your questions. They don't mind. In fact, they see it as encouraging that you want to pursue more knowledge despite not knowing/understanding dental lingo. I also strongly believe that if your dentist still has ties to the dental school you are interested in, a strong letter of rec can only help your application.
Also, even if some schools have required number of hours, just go above and beyond if you can. It shows that you are truly passionate about the field and that you are not doing it just to do it.
Also, even if some schools have required number of hours, just go above and beyond if you can. It shows that you are truly passionate about the field and that you are not doing it just to do it.
You don't really have to go on a regular basis, just get in the hours before you apply. I've shadowed 4 different dentists so far. Last summer I had a regular schedule with one office, mainly shadowing M, TH and volunteering at their Medicaid clinic on W. This year, I've shadowed 2 dentists and 1 oral surgeon. They all said just give them a call a couple days in advance when I want to come in. I have over 100 hours already so I don't "need' more hours but I want more hours for various reasons. The one dentist is going to write my LOR so I'll get more time with him. The OS has me come in on busy surgery days and lets me "assist", the 3rd dentist has a FUN practice with all the latest technology so it's just cool being there. I only have a few more weeks before I go back to school so I'll only get in a few more visits to the 3rd dentist. The 1st I plan to shadow more over Christmas and the OS is near my campus so I'll go there when I can during the school year.
