Shadowed for the first time today!!!!

[alanan84]

I got to shadow for the first time today!!! It was pretty freaking awesome even though all I saw were some fillings. I got to use the suction though which was cool. I guess my question is how often do you all shadow? Is there a recommended amount of time? I don't want to go so much that I'm bothering him. The office staff said they'd call me when they get a cool case so I can be there and the Dentist said I could basically come when I wanted

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[ummjoey]

sounds awesome! =D

when i was applying i would help out at my dads office as an assistant on saturdays.

right now im taking finals for my last quarter. after finals im pretty much going to work as a full time assistant for my dad.

ask them if you can come in and help out as an assistant for free. i dont think the dentist would be "bothered" if you were there helping them out.

i put i worked as an front office assistant for 280 hours and a chair side assistant for 280 hours.

 

[alanan84]

Thats awesome! Must be nice to have your Dad as a Dentist! So can I be a Dental Assistant with no training? I thought you had to have some sort of training or certification to do that?

 

[Aiyah]

It's awesome, isn't it?

I would say as long as the dentist is okay with it, try to go in for at least 50+ hours. I did about 80 myself before I submitted my aadsas app. and then before interviews I did some more. I know Loma Linda has a set requirement for the amount of hours you have to do at a GP for you to apply. Plus, the more hours you do, the more you learn about dentistry, the more you can write in your personal statement, and the better your letter of rec will be from that dentist.

 

[alanan84]

Very true, I learned so much in just the 2 hours I was there! It got me pretty excited! Now I just have to get into to Dental School somewhere.

 

[ummjoey]

Thats awesome! Must be nice to have your Dad as a Dentist! So can I be a Dental Assistant with no training? I thought you had to have some sort of training or certification to do that?

i started with the simple stuff like cleaning, sterlization, wiping down chairs...........then start with stuff like suction, getting instruments for the dentist, doing impressions..........

i am sure they wont mind training you, if you are helping out there for free?

 

[alanan84]

good point, hopefully I can do that