QUestion About When to take DAT and Shadowing

[cvpmvp33]

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hello all.

first off, when is the best time to start studying and to take the DAT's? Is the end of junior year a good time?

also, i am about to start shadowing at a dental office. this might be a stupid question but what should i wear? and also, what should i be doing at shadowing? should i be asking a lot of questions and such??

 

[beannaithe]

End of junior year is ideal. Don't do what I did though. I took it in the middle of finals week. 😳 Try to give yourself like a week or two after finals and then take it. That seems to be the best time to do it.

At shadowing, I literally just watched the dentist do stuff and helped the assistant out. Best to wear something nice, like a nice pair of pants and a nice shirt. You can ask what they're doing before, not during the procedure. It's best not to annoy the dentist in the middle of a procedure.

Just my two cents. 🙂

 

[galangvu]

comfortable walking shoes.

 

[futrdentist]

hello all.

first off, when is the best time to start studying and to take the DAT's? Is the end of junior year a good time?

also, i am about to start shadowing at a dental office. this might be a stupid question but what should i wear? and also, what should i be doing at shadowing? should i be asking a lot of questions and such??

I had a dental assistant get really mad at me for asking questions during the procedures. It apparently makes the patients nervous, and especially if something is not going ideally, or there is blood, DO NOT ASK ABOUT IT! I was watching an extraction and half the tooth popped out and went flying across the room and the same assistant shot me a look to keep my mouth shut. Some dentists will tell you what they're doing during the procedures, but make sure whatever you do, don't make the patients nervous!