shadow or volunteer?

[sl2obel2ts]

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Hi,

I am debating if i should shadow a dentist or volunteer at a homeless free clinic.

I've done 50 hours of shadowing with a general dentist (also wrote me a good letter). But the general consensus seems like I might need more than that, around 100.

However, my time is limited, and I can spend that time for volunteering as a chairside assistant/x-ray at a free clinic for homeless people. I have done fundamental bio research, dental research, and volunteering at a general hospital.

Which should I do?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Anatomy Fanatic]

If I were you, I would work in the homeless dental clinic. To me it seems like you would be hitting two birds with one stone. You can get some more hours observing the dental profession, and get some good quality service hours in. Seems win-win-(win) to me!

 

[Crentist]

If I were you, I would work in the homeless dental clinic. To me it seems like you would be hitting two birds with one stone. You can get some more hours observing the dental profession, and get some good quality service hours in. Seems win-win-(win) to me!

Absolutely the free clinic. I did the majority of my observing at free/sliding-fee scale clinics. I was able to spend some of the time observing, some of the time helping with things that needed to be done and I even got to assist. It was definitely more rewarding and helpful than standing over a general dentist's shoulder for so many hours. You already have more than enough hours of that (in my opinion) and this is only going to help your application even more. Plus you will gain such an appreciation for quality care to the underserved.