Questions about shadowing?

[hoober]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So shadowing is extremely important to the dental application...I currently have no dental shadowing experience so I was hoping for some extra details.

Looking at the "chances" thread, there's a good number of people with 200-300+ hours of shadowing.

To me, it seems extremely intimidating to get those sort of hours.

1. What's your schedule when shadowing a dentist? (Once/twice a week? Multiple consecutive days? Do you follow them for their entire shift?)

2. Do you typically shadow fewer dentists for many hours, or many dentists for fewer hours?

3. What do you do while shadowing? Do you help out with anything at all? Or do you just sit there and watch their procedures (I'm hoping they at least talk about what they're doing?)

*4. Can working as a dental assistant/hygienist "substitute" as shadowing experience? I'm looking everywhere for a dental assistant job. If I do get one I'd imagine my time available to shadow is reduced greatly.

5. How long of a commitment do dentists typically look for in a shadower?

6. Are resumes expected when you ask for shadowing opportunities? Should I be going in-person to ask for shadowing or does an email/phone call suffice?

And in all honesty, did you guys ever get bored while shadowing? If it's literally just watching a guy work for hours...
I love video games, but watching a guy play video games for hours on end would still bore me to some extent. Possible bad analogy since I've never shadowed yet...

Any other tips for landing shadowing opportunities?

Lots of questions...sorry if it bothers you. But any help would be appreciated! And please refrain from comments like "why do you even want to be a dentist"...

 

[Socolaphile]

1. What's your schedule when shadowing a dentist? (Once/twice a week? Multiple consecutive days? Do you follow them for their entire shift?)
- 4-6 hours, once a week.
- Dentists are usually in their office while waiting for the assistants to set up the stations, bring in the patients, looking at charts so I spent a huge amount with the assistants than dentist. Yes, I did followed the assistants to ask questions.

2. Do you typically shadow fewer dentists for many hours, or many dentists for fewer hours?
- 1st general dentist: 6 hours, once a week for only 1 month in 2013
- 2nd general dentist: 4 hours, once a week for 3 months in 2015
- 3rd general dentist: 6 hours, once a week for 2 months in 2016
- I shadowed more than one dentist because I wanted to observe the difference in different neighborhoods. The first dentist was in a lower income city, second was high-end, and third was low-medium income neighborhood.

3. What do you do while shadowing? Do you help out with anything at all? Or do you just sit there and watch their procedures (I'm hoping they at least talk about what they're doing?)
- It's better to be standing while observing because the chairs are occupied by patient, dentist, and assistant. While doing the procedures, the dentist will explain to you the procedures unless the patients say otherwise. I usually stick with the assistants because they tell me more about the business side of the industry instead of just procedures. If permitted, which I was, wiped down stations, equipment, take out trash, run the sterilization machines, just ask.

*4. Can working as a dental assistant/hygienist "substitute" as shadowing experience? I'm looking everywhere for a dental assistant job. If I do get one I'd imagine my time available to shadow is reduced greatly.
- I don't know.

5. How long of a commitment do dentists typically look for in a shadower?
- It's up to you. But you'll get a feel if the dentist don't want you around or that you don't learn much from the place, then leave. Make sure you come to the clinic with a purpose. Mine were to observe AND get a letter of recommendation.

6. Are resumes expected when you ask for shadowing opportunities? Should I be going in-person to ask for shadowing or does an email/phone call suffice? I emailed the place because I did not want to drop in during busy hours. It'll irritate the front desk and who knows where your resume will end up. Send a resume with an objective of why you want to shadow there.

And in all honesty, did you guys ever get bored while shadowing? Yes, if you stay for too long because eventually it'll just be fillings, cleaning, fillings, cleanings, sometimes crowns/extractions.

Any other tips for landing shadowing opportunities? Ask 10, at least one will say yes. Follow up.

 

[prophyprincess]

I dropped off a resume and cover letter to one place and ended up with a job haha. I think resumes are helpful because it lets the dentist know how much time to invest in you. For example if you have a bunch of ecs and a good gpa they are more inclined to put time in to you and help you out. Thats just the vibe I got from all of my shadowing experiences


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app