Shadowing Dentist for first time...

[ias2512]

hey, if anyone can give me there two cents on this...ummm...tommorow ill be going to shadow a dentist for the first time...is there anything i should be aware of? any tips? any rules of shadowing? or just gemme some info on wat im supposed to do? just watch the doc do his stuff??

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[howui3]

i recommend to dress nice, a shirt and slacks.

also, introduce yourself to the patient if the doctor does not introduce you. most people will be very receptive to you shadowing.

other then that, keep your eyes open and try to stay out of the doctor and assistants way. ask questions about procedures and techniques that way it shows that you are interested.

and finally don't forget to thank everybody in the office (including the patients).

enjoy!

 

[SuperC]

I had to wear scubs....
-C

 

[beredsox2]

I had to wear scubs....
-C

I did as well.

 

[tinman831]

ask the dentist what would be appropriate to wear while you're shadowing. you're there to learn so be observant and ask questions (if it's not too bothersome for your dentist). try not to get in the way too much and, oh yeah, don't yawn or doze off while the dentist is working on the patient (that'd be pretty bad).

 

[Dutchboy]

I know observing is a necessary evil but it really is almost pointless. Your just the wierd guy standing in the corner. You try to see what's going on in the patients mouth but you can't because the dentist and assistant are in the way. You ask questions about the case but can't really see it. I had the opportunity to actually assist at a free clinic. They didn't expect me to have any experience and showed me everything I needed to know. I saw more in 3 hours than I had in 50 hours of observation time. I mean, he pointed things out to me and I actually had a front row seat. The whole point to this post is if you have a free clinic in your area ask if you can assist. You can kill three birds with one stone; dental expierience, observation, and community service!

 

[DentistBunaHay]

You are going to start feeling really awkward and sometimes like a burden on the dentist, dont worry, that's kinda normal, i think we all felt that at some point. After a while you get so freaking bored cuz' you can't see anything but try to look that you're still in it. I dozed off a couple of times and one of the dentist looked at me in a pissed way, so i started acting all attentive again. Trust me, you're not gonna learn a lot, the point is, you need to get these people in your apps, so just do it for the hell of it.

 

[Dutchboy]

You are going to start feeling really awkward and sometimes like a burden on the dentist, dont worry, that's kinda normal, i think we all felt that at some point. After a while you get so freaking bored cuz' you can't see anything but try to look that you're still in it. I dozed off a couple of times and one of the dentist looked at me in a pissed way, so i started acting all attentive again. Trust me, you're not gonna learn a lot, the point is, you need to get these people in your apps, so just do it for the hell of it.

Sad, but 100% true.