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Questions to ask while shadowing a dentist
Started by libbylou
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every predent has a different level of knowledge about dentistry. Since you're dental knowledge differs from everyone else's, it's best that you figure out the questions on yours own. That means you need to figure out what you don't know about dentistry and ask about it. Just relax and let your curiosity create your questions.
Here's a novel idea:
Be yourself.
Dentists (for the most part) are normal folks who happen to like teeth. Don't force awkward conversation. Just be yourself. If the dentist is operating, maybe ask if he or she could talk you through the procedure. But don't talk shop the whole time and don't talk for the sake of talking (watch a seasoned assistant and dentist work - they anticipate each others' moves and really say very little about the procedural aspects) Figure out what makes your dentist a person, too, not just some mouth-fixin' machine. Talk about that.
A huge part of dentistry is being comfortable around patients from all walks of life, folks who may hate the dentist, folks who are big babies when they have dental work done (funny how many big burly dudes with full arm sleeves come in and complain about a few carps
but that's another thread). If you're having a normal conversation, you're likely to make the patient at ease and show your dentist you get its not all about the teeth.
Be yourself.
Dentists (for the most part) are normal folks who happen to like teeth. Don't force awkward conversation. Just be yourself. If the dentist is operating, maybe ask if he or she could talk you through the procedure. But don't talk shop the whole time and don't talk for the sake of talking (watch a seasoned assistant and dentist work - they anticipate each others' moves and really say very little about the procedural aspects) Figure out what makes your dentist a person, too, not just some mouth-fixin' machine. Talk about that.
A huge part of dentistry is being comfortable around patients from all walks of life, folks who may hate the dentist, folks who are big babies when they have dental work done (funny how many big burly dudes with full arm sleeves come in and complain about a few carps
but that's another thread). If you're having a normal conversation, you're likely to make the patient at ease and show your dentist you get its not all about the teeth.I can, and I already did, but I wanted other peoples opinions on the subject. I think it's always a good idea to look at situations from other people's perspective, as well as your own. I've heard that a lot of dentists ask shadowers if they have any questions, and I just don't want to come across as underprepared. I have very little knowledge of dentistry, but I need to start somewhere, and I think asking questions is a great way to learn.
Oh, so you are just trying to create an illusion that you are prepared and that is why you are panhandling for ideas on this forum. There appears to be some confusion on the idea behind shadowing.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527523
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