Shadow vs volunteer?

[KyoPhan]

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Hi, I've been reading a bit on this forum about volunteering. I just came the word "shadow" and now I realize just how important it is. I got a bit of free time now that summer school is over and now I'm looking to do some volunteer/shadow. I have a few questions regarding volunteer/shadow.

I have a lot of volunteer hours that are non-related to dentistry. Would that count as volunteer or do I have to do volunteer that is related to dentistry?

I'm also a bit confused about what shadowing actually is, like what do you while shadowing?

Should I start volunteering and then ask them to shadow or should I just go directly into shadowing?

Last question I have is about asking to shadow. When asking them, do you tell them something like "I was wondering if I could shadow you." Not to insult their intelligence, but will they understand me if I said something like that?

I appreciate the help!

 

[msavaya]

Hey... You can't really volunteer at a dentist's office, you can "shadow".

Shadowing just means that you pretty much walk around and follow the dentist and observe the procedures..depending on what kind of dentist you shadow (if they are a**holes or nice), they will explain what they are doing and pretty much you will learn from the experience. Just call up your primary dentist and tell him you want to shadow him.... it's not insulting at all, many dentist's enjoy it.

Also, you shouldn't only volunteer in dental related things... volunteering in other areas makes you a well-rounded applicant.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

 

[DROCKINDAHOUSE]

to really impress u need to shadow a volunteer...thats the way to do it (jk)

 

[MolarExpress]

Last question I have is about asking to shadow. When asking them, do you tell them something like "I was wondering if I could shadow you." Not to insult their intelligence, but will they understand me if I said something like that?

I appreciate the help!

Just remember, they were dental students at some point too...they'll understand. There's no "volunteering" you can really do...unless you just do some simple dental assisting work for free, but you're better off just shadowing, you'll learn more that way. They'll probably have you hold the suction or something like that while you're shadowing and that's about it. Good luck!

 

[amalgamgrillz]

Hey... You can't really volunteer at a dentist's office, you can "shadow".

Can't you? I mean, i started out volunteering in dental offices (chair side assisting, sterlization, operatory maintenance, simple lab work etc.) - wouldn't they consider that volunteer work?

 

[KyoPhan]

Thanks for all of the response; it helps a lot. So should I get a lot of shadowing hours, or should I balance out some volunteer work as assistant and do shadowing as well?

 

[MolarExpress]

Thanks for all of the response; it helps a lot. So should I get a lot of shadowing hours, or should I balance out some volunteer work as assistant and do shadowing as well?

I don't think the title really matters.."assistant, volunteer.." etc... I've volunteered as an assistant and worked as an assitant and I've also shadowed different specialists. Take whatever you can get. Just being involved in the field is what adcoms want to see, from what I know. Be familiar with the profession, make sure it's what you want to do, and learn something while you're at it! Good luck!