Question for u

[lloydchristmas]

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Hi everyone...

I am a newly decided pre dental person (not a student any more), and I have a question regarding the acceptance process.

Do dental schools require one to have some type of dental experience. I'm sure exposure can't hurt, but have any of you been asked about this directly in an interview?

I am a practicing ER RN and want to go to dental school. Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks!

 

[DesiDentist]

Yes,

Having dental experience is a must now in these competitive times. At every interview I was asked of my experiences in the dental field. I think getting at least 100 hours worth of volunteering/experience before dental school is a must. Every school expects you to know what you are getting yourself into.

Being an ER nurse has some similar things to dentistry, but there are many other aspects of dentistry that are unrelated to a nurse. You must experience those before you decide to pursue this career.

Good luck.

DesiDentist

 

[scandalouslj]

I disagree,
To be a competative applicant I would say yes. But I do know that a lot of schools do not require it, while some do. Either way it donest take much, 40 hours at a dentists office should do, which you could do easily in a week. Especially since you already have a medical background it will help, you would just have to see the differences between dentistry.

 

[eight143]

Although it is not required to volunteer/shadow a dentist, I would highly recommend it. Not only would it look good in your application, but it really helps you decide if this is what you want to do for the rest of your life.

Although 100 hours like desident recommends is actually not as bad as it seems, 50-70 hrs should be enough. I recommend that you do this by observing different dentists. This way, it disrupts the monotony and will make your shadowing more pleasant.

I did this by observing 2 General, 2 Pedo, 3 Ortho, 1 Endo, 1 Prostho, 1 Perio, and 1 Dental Student in his junior year. I only saw these dentists about 3 times at an average of 3 hours per visit. I did this over a span of 2 1/2 months. It's not that bad and is pretty fun and interesting. I recommend that you document each visit and turn it with your application.

If you are working 3 12-hour shifts/week as a nurse, you can totally do this. I would recommend setting up an appointment with two dentists (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) during one of your off days.

Visit your dentist first and then ask him to refer you to other dentists. This shouldn't be a problem at all, because a lot of dentists out there will be glad to help you out. Good luck!

 

[kimchiro]

How are these hours in shadowing or volunteering documented?
Is there any forms to be filled out and certified by a dentist?
Or are your hours are approximated? Just wondering....
Appreciate for any input on this matter....

 

[DesiDentist]

Originally posted by kimchiro
How are these hours in shadowing or volunteering documented?
Is there any forms to be filled out and certified by a dentist?
Or are your hours are approximated? Just wondering....
Appreciate for any input on this matter....

some dental schools want you to submit a "log" but most expect a recommendation to prove how many hours you did. However, everyone should make a log since on the AADSAS application it asks how many hours you worked per week.

DesiDentist

 

[MarkFitzsimmons]

I shadowed 53 hours before I applied to dental school.

I asked each doctor to write me a signed letter that stated the date and how many hours I was there.

When I applied to dental school I sent a photocopy of each letter with a coverpage along with the application.

Also, when I interviewed I put the originals in plastic sleeves in a binder along with my letters of recomendation and transcripts.

 

[LetMeIn]

I saturated myself with dental/healt related experiences as much as I could.

Volunteer chairside assist at a pedodontist for 2yrs (twice a month), an eye-opening Dental relief mission to mexico for 1.5weeks last year, observer at two GP practises (once a month), regional health board committee member (child & youth policy), and i even got qualified as a level 1 first aid attendent (took a 2day course).

So yeah, you can do the minimum, or you can do a lot. It just makes it easier at the interview, because you will definitely have a lot more to show and talk about than your honourable colleagues. 🙂