Shadowing 100+ hours?

[lippy104]

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Looking at predents and this site I am seeing a lot of people with ~100 hours of shadowing dentists (some are even well over this). Besides the obvious benefit of showing schools how dedicated you are about dentistry, is there really any added benefit of shadowing for the 90th-100th hour.

Basically I am wondering if people are seeing/learning anything new after 100 hours that they haven't seen before. So far I've volunteered ~20 hours and it already feels like I've seen just about everything a dentist does on a regular basis. I am way off in this assumption or is this about accurate?

 

[aelian]

Looking at predents and this site I am seeing a lot of people with ~100 hours of shadowing dentists (some are even well over this). Besides the obvious benefit of showing schools how dedicated you are about dentistry, is there really any added benefit of shadowing for the 90th-100th hour.

Basically I am wondering if people are seeing/learning anything new after 100 hours that they haven't seen before. So far I've volunteered ~20 hours and it already feels like I've seen just about everything a dentist does on a regular basis. I am way off in this assumption or is this about accurate?

Lippy! The admissions board is vicious. They will eat your soul to replenish their vitality. They will eviscerate you if you have too few hours. I'm just joking but try to aim for 100 plus hours, more if your grades suck. At my interviews, I was getting bashed because I had about 80 hours total. Most of the applicants, unless they are perfect 4.0 and 20+ DAT, should have at least 100 hours. And yeah, after 20 plus hours, it feels like you've seen everything...but the dental schools don't care. If you are going to be a dentist, you are going to be repeating the same procedures for the next 30-40 years. According to them, 100 hours is nothing. Aim for 500 hours of shadowing. Heck, get a job as an assistant and actually get your hands dirty. Much more valuable than shadowing and much less boring.

 

[lippy104]

Lippy! The admissions board is vicious. They will eat your soul to replenish their vitality. They will eviscerate you if you have too few hours. I'm just joking but try to aim for 100 plus hours, more if your grades suck. At my interviews, I was getting bashed because I had about 80 hours total. Most of the applicants, unless they are perfect 4.0 and 20+ DAT, should have at least 100 hours. And yeah, after 20 plus hours, it feels like you've seen everything...but the dental schools don't care. If you are going to be a dentist, you are going to be repeating the same procedures for the next 30-40 years. According to them, 100 hours is nothing. Aim for 500 hours of shadowing. Heck, get a job as an assistant and actually get your hands dirty. Much more valuable than shadowing and much less boring.

Yea that's what I was worried about. I didn't decide until relatively recently (last year or so) to pursue dentistry so I only have ~20 hours of shadowing like I said.

I want to get more hours but I'm working 9-5 monday-friday in an internship so it's not really possible. Right now my GPA is 3.91/3.92 (overall/science) in chem. engineering and I take the DAT next Sat. (hoping for 20-22 AA). Hopefully my GPA/DAT scores will be enough to make up for the relatively low shadowing hours, if not I guess I'll just have to wait til next year and get some more hours in the bank.

 

[flyingforever]

Yea that's what I was worried about. I didn't decide until relatively recently (last year or so) to pursue dentistry so I only have ~20 hours of shadowing like I said.

I want to get more hours but I'm working 9-5 monday-friday in an internship so it's not really possible. Right now my GPA is 3.91/3.92 (overall/science) in chem. engineering and I take the DAT next Sat. (hoping for 20-22 AA). Hopefully my GPA/DAT scores will be enough to make up for the relatively low shadowing hours, if not I guess I'll just have to wait til next year and get some more hours in the bank.

If you have done only 20 hours. Plan with your shadowing dentist for like 300 hours. Ask him or her to write in the recommendation that you are planning to finish those hours in next 2-3 months.

 

[lippy104]

If you have done only 20 hours. Plan with your shadowing dentist for like 300 hours. Ask him or her to write in the recommendation that you are planning to finish those hours in next 2-3 months.

Thanks for the idea. Although that is a good idea it doesn't really work for me since I will work full time in my internship up until school starts, and once school starts the combination of a chemical engineering major and not having a car on campus will make it nearly impossible to get that many hours.

It's starting to look more and more like I'll have to come back next year with more hours and experience.

 

[aelian]

Yea that's what I was worried about. I didn't decide until relatively recently (last year or so) to pursue dentistry so I only have ~20 hours of shadowing like I said.

I want to get more hours but I'm working 9-5 monday-friday in an internship so it's not really possible. Right now my GPA is 3.91/3.92 (overall/science) in chem. engineering and I take the DAT next Sat. (hoping for 20-22 AA). Hopefully my GPA/DAT scores will be enough to make up for the relatively low shadowing hours, if not I guess I'll just have to wait til next year and get some more hours in the bank.

Okay, here is what you have to your advantage. Your GPA. I know a girl who had only 40 hours of shadowing but beastly EC and a 3.9+. That is working in your favor so you won't have to get 500 hours but I say you should aim for at least 80 hours because you also have to think about your LOR. I don't think a dentist can really get to know you as an applicant with just 40 hours. Do you by chance have a local dental clinic. You can get ludicrous amounts of hours at a clinic along with hands on experience by being a volunteer rather than a shadower. But don't worry Lippy, just seeing your GPA, I think your chances are very good assuming you have moderate amounts of volunteering and extracurriculars. Just try to slowly build up your shadowing.

 

[flyingforever]

Thanks for the idea. Although that is a good idea it doesn't really work for me since I will work full time in my internship up until school starts, and once school starts the combination of a chemical engineering major and not having a car on campus will make it nearly impossible to get that many hours.

It's starting to look more and more like I'll have to come back next year with more hours and experience.

If you have option to wait for another year then do so in order to gain more shadowing experience. The other post mentioned girl got accepted with 40 hours. Its very subjective, each individual is not same.

 

[aelian]

If you have option to wait for another year then do so in order to gain more shadowing experience. The other post mentioned girl got accepted with 40 hours. Its very subjective, each individual is not same.

No, no, no. I disagree. I'd say go for it. Apply the latest cycle if that was what you originally intended to do. Why wait a cycle. The worst that can happen is you get rejected. Who knows, you might get in. Your GPA and DAT are the two most important things that you can have. And you are kicking butt in the GPA portion (in chemical engineering 😱). Just kill your DATS next week. I also see from you profile that you have 50 hours from volunteering at a hospital. That is good because it shows that you have been in the hospital setting and this can be used toward your shadowing experience or have some weight.. By the time you have your interviews, you will have had the opportunity to gain more hours. Maybe you don't need 100 hours. Maybe you can get in on 50 hours of shadowing.

 

[americanpierg]

Aim for 500 hours of shadowing. Heck, get a job as an assistant and actually get your hands dirty. Much more valuable than shadowing and much less boring.

LOl 500 hours? Thats like 3 months of full time work. What you don't realize is that after awhile, the Dentist DOES NOT want you there either. What good are you doing shadowing during the 250th hour when all you're doing is standing there doing nothing and watching the same procedures you saw during the 10th hour. You're just there wasting space. There's really not that much variety in dentistry when you go in day after day; 90% of it is the same and once in awhile one of those 10% exciting procedure comes along. It's better to check with the dentist you're shadowing to set up days to come when an interesting procedure is scheduled rather than shadow day after day. Your dentist is fine letting you shadow for awhile, but too long and you will easily have outstayed your welcome. Would you want someone to tag along with you in a tight space like a dental setting for 500 hours?

Go ask a dentist if you can shadow them for 500 hours, and I guarantee you you won't find one that will say yes. It's hard enough to find dentists that will be nice enough to even let you shadow them so don't overstay your welcome. The only way people do 500 hours is if they split it through like 7 different dentists across 3-4 years, or they got a job in a dental office. Getting a job in a dental office is no where as easy as people make it seem, like you can just walk in there and they give you one. You either need connections or a pretty damn amazing resume or get lucky and find a dentist who would allow you to work for free.

My stats were horrible (sub 3.0 gpa, very good DATs) and I only had 60 or so hours and I felt that was too much. I went in for 2 weeks for about 7 hours a day. The first week was fine, the second week was starting to get awkward, so I stopped at 60 and felt that was more than enough. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING was mentioned about me lacking "500" shadowing hours. I know plenty... plennnttyyyyyy of people who had 50 hours or less.

I'm pretty sure the admission committees arent idiots either and they will look on those who put down 500-1000+ shadowing hours with a lot of scepticism (because its just stupid to "shadow" that much if all youre doing is watching). Be ready to answer a lot of questions about your shadowing details if you put down that many hours. If you put down 40-100, it probably wont even come up in your interviews.

If you have option to wait for another year then do so in order to gain more shadowing experience. The other post mentioned girl got accepted with 40 hours. Its very subjective, each individual is not same.

IF YOU ALREADY HAVE 20+ HOURS LIKE YOU SAY, DO NOT DELAY YOUR APPLICATION FOR ANOTHER YEAR JUST TO GAIN MORE SHADOWING EXPERIENCE. LOL that's the worst advice I've ever heard. These guys are obviously wanting you to delay your application so they will have less competition, but thats stupid and selfish because it has a minimal impact on their chances while it just screws you over. You have a 3.9 and will probably get a 19 and above on the DAT. Shadowing experience is a far far farrrrr less important detail than your GPA/DAT. 20 is enough for most schools, though some others like to see 40. Sure more may be a bonus, but its not going to significantly hurt you if not. DONT listen to these guys, apply and get some shadowing in during the next semester if youre worried about it, and YOU WILL BE FINE.

 

[aelian]

LOl 500 hours? Thats like 3 months of full time work. What you don't realize is that after awhile, the Dentist DOES NOT want you there either. What good are you doing shadowing during the 250th hour when all you're doing is standing there doing nothing and watching the same procedures you saw during the 10th hour. You're just there wasting space. There's really not that much variety in dentistry when you go in day after day; 90% of it is the same and once in awhile one of those 10% exciting procedure comes along. It's better to check with the dentist you're shadowing to set up days to come when an interesting procedure comes along rather than shadow day after day. You're dentist is fine letting you shadow for awhile, but too long and you will easily have outstayed your welcome. Would you want someone to tag along with you in a tight space like a dental setting for 500 hours?

Go ask a dentist if you can shadow them for 500 hours, and I guarantee you you won't find one that will say yes. The only way people do 500 hours is if they split it through like 7 different dentists across 3-4 years, or they got a job in a dental office. Getting a job in a dental office is no where as easy as people make it seem, like you can just walk in there and they give you one. You either need connections or a pretty damn amazing resume or get lucky and find a dentist who would allow you to work for free.

My stats were horrible and I only had 60 or so hours and I felt that was too much. I went in for 2 weeks for about 7 hours a day. The first week was fine, the second week was starting to get awkward, so I stopped at 60 and felt that was more than enough. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING was mentioned about me lacking "500" shadowing hours.

I'm pretty sure the admission committees arent idiots either and they will look on those who put down 500-1000+ shadowing hours with a lot of scepticism (because its just stupid to "shadow" that much if all youre doing is watching). Be ready to answer a lot of questions about your shadowing details if you put down that many hours. If you put down 40-100, it probably wont even come up in your interviews.

Wait, maybe I messededed up a little. Curse you Mr./Miss Americanpierg for making me notice the flaw in my statement. Curse YOU!!!! 😡 By 500 hours, I meant getting them as a dental assistant or volunteer. You would most likely get some hands on experience with either of those methods. 500 hours as a one day a week volunteer would take a decade. I still maintain that the more hours you have, the better. And I still maintain that you need at least 100 hours. It doesn't have to be exclusively shadowing. It could be working or volunteering in an office. Even in the hospital. But at least 100 hours in a healthcare setting/office.

And hey Mr. Americanpierg, I am telling him to apply this cycle. I don't need to diminish the competition. GOSH. Read my posts!!! /prepares dragon strike

 

[lippy104]

Yea I'm applying to several schools this year anyways (OSU MICH IU and CASE). I'll let you guys know if the relative lack of shadowing hours made a difference and whether or not it came up in interviews.

 

[DrReo]

Lippy! The admissions board is vicious. They will eat your soul to replenish their vitality. They will eviscerate you if you have too few hours. I'm just joking but try to aim for 100 plus hours, more if your grades suck. At my interviews, I was getting bashed because I had about 80 hours total. Most of the applicants, unless they are perfect 4.0 and 20+ DAT, should have at least 100 hours. And yeah, after 20 plus hours, it feels like you've seen everything...but the dental schools don't care. If you are going to be a dentist, you are going to be repeating the same procedures for the next 30-40 years. According to them, 100 hours is nothing. Aim for 500 hours of shadowing. Heck, get a job as an assistant and actually get your hands dirty. Much more valuable than shadowing and much less boring.

That is horrendous advice. You'd be better off shadowing 50-75 hours and volunteering (read: giving back to your community).

Volunteering is key in *almost* every application for any professional school

 

[2PacClone23]

It gets really boring after a while, but isn't that the point? They want to know if you can handle the repetitiveness of the profession, hours on end.

 

[aelian]

That is horrendous advice. You'd be better off shadowing 50-75 hours and volunteering (read: giving back to your community).

Volunteering is key in *almost* every application for any professional school

Do people even read anymore? 😡 Just as I told Mr. Americanleig 3 posts up from this: By 500 hours, I meant getting them as a dental assistant or volunteer...It could be working or volunteering in an office. Even in the hospital.

Chill out guys. I was just joking about the 500 hours. Kinda like saying give your 110% Or telling someone to get 30's on their DAT's. People are saying I gave horrible advice. For once and for all, allow my transgression to be forgiven, it was a misstatement in the form of an exaggeration. /runs away, butthurt.
And yes, shadowing and volunteering is good, especially if the volunteering is in the healthcare sector.

 

[americanpierg]

It gets really boring after a while, but isn't that the point? They want to know if you can handle the repetitiveness of the profession, hours on end.

I don't think thats what they want, then again thats just what I think. I think they want you to shadow to get your feet wet in the field and get some experience with it to see if its something you would like to do as a career. I don't think they want you to stand around for hundred of hours on end just watching.

I think anywhere from 50-100 hours is plenty for this, and the upper level on that may be a little excessive. There's a difference between watching someone do the work and actually doing the work. Would you rather watch a car drive around a nascar track for 500 miles, or be in the car doing the 200 mph driving?

I think the other person is right, you should spend more time doing something more useful like volunteering or community service.

 

[TamHLe]

Guys, I have about 100+ hours with one doctor, but he is unable to give me a LOR so I asked a dentist I know to write me one. would this create problems?

 

[americanpierg]

Guys, I have about 100+ hours with one doctor, but he is unable to give me a LOR so I asked a dentist I know to write me one. would this create problems?

Not unless you lie and say the one writing you a letter is the one you shadowed. Some schools though want you to get a letter from a dentist and have the dentist document your hours with him/her.

 

[DrReo]

Guys, I have about 100+ hours with one doctor, but he is unable to give me a LOR so I asked a dentist I know to write me one. would this create problems?

You will want the dentist to state that you have shadowed 100+ hours. Maybe he can write the letter on the behalf of the other dentist.

 

[smile matters]

What if you did a lot of shadowing in high school? Can you put that in your resume/ application? Also, how would they know if you actually did the hours you mentioned, do we have to have some sort of proof?

 

[TexasKittyCat]

I submitted over 800 hours of experience in the field of dentistry (shadowed multiple specialties in different cities in TX and also completed multiple pre dental enrichment programs). Overall, 1 hour or 1,000 hours, you ultimately wanna show the schools that you are knowledgeable about the profession; this will reflect in your personal statement, and if lucky, in your interview. Good luck and go out there! Use summers and winter breaks wisely (what I did) I started shadowing since the summer prior to fesshman year of college.

 

[TexasKittyCat]

What if you did a lot of shadowing in high school? Can you put that in your resume/ application? Also, how would they know if you actually did the hours you mentioned, do we have to have some sort of proof?

Unfortunately, anything done in high school no longer matter or counts. If the hours you submitted look a bit sketch, they will contact those offices, dentists, to verify that you're not lying. You are going into a field in were you swear you'll be 100% honest. Tough luck lying!