shadowing. help!!!

[kkikkokka]

I am looking for a doctor to shadow.
the other day i drove around and talked to several doctors.
but surprisingly they asked me what shadowing is.
they seemed like they've never heard about shadowing before
i didn't expect this
so when they asked me what i wanna do.
i couldn't really explain to them well.
so.
i need ur help!!
what would be the best way to find a doctor? walk in and ask? or should i call in?
and
when a doctor has no idea about shadowing, how should i explain to them?
thank you!
good luck~!!!!

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[Streetwolf]

Well I assume since you're posting here, by doctor you mean dentist.

Your absolute best chance would be to ask your own dentist who would know you, or any family members / family friends who are dentists. At least you will have a connection. Or see if your dentist can recommend someone if they don't want you to shadow them.

If you're going in without a connection, just tell them that you are a pre-dental student who will be applying to dental school in the near future (or now!). Tell them that shadowing is basically observing them as they do their routine procedures. It's like an internship (they may understand that word a bit better heh). You don't get paid and sometimes it helps to stress this. You would just be in the room while the patients are worked on, provided the patient is fine with it. Tell the dentist that dental schools want to see that you have some sort of dental experience, be it a paid job, a special program, or shadowing experience.

Someone's bound to understand. GL.

 

[denteng]

I am looking for a doctor to shadow.
the other day i drove around and talked to several doctors.
but surprisingly they asked me what shadowing is.
they seemed like they've never heard about shadowing before
i didn't expect this
so when they asked me what i wanna do.
i couldn't really explain to them well.
so.
i need ur help!!
what would be the best way to find a doctor? walk in and ask? or should i call in?
and
when a doctor has no idea about shadowing, how should i explain to them?
thank you!
good luck~!!!!

I mailed 20+ dentists a letter explainging who I was, and asking if I could meet with them, observe, ask their advice, etc. Keep it broad, as one dentist might let you shadow, but another might want to take you for lunch to talk about dentistry. Remember, they're doing you the favor.

1 or 2 called me back, and I shadowed them. After that, it was easy lining up new dentists, as they called their friends who specialized, and I watched oral malf, public health, and some other specialists.

Just be persistent, polite, and good luck!

 

[nanali]

Just go down the phone list of dentists in the area you live in. You'll be surprised how many of them actually call back and let you observe. It's best not to use the word shadowing b/c some of the dentists are older and they don't use this word.. ask for observing b/c you want some exposure and learn more about the field. They are more than willing to help out, and of course there's also some dentist who just doesn't have the time or too busy. I called like 10 dentists offices and got 3. And so don't worry!

 

[nanali]

I forgot to tell you, if they said they'll call u back and they don't, wait about a week, b/c two of the places I shadow didn't call me back until the following week, so don't be discouraged and best of luck!

 

[kkikkokka]

thank you so much for your replies guys!
so
would it be better to shadow one dentist(((*sorry for making you confused...i said a doctor up there but what i really meant was a "dentist" lol ))) in longer term
or
do you recommend me to observe many different dentists?

 

[shane.]

As with most everything else, divesity is a good thing.

Shadowing a single dentist for a long period of time will give you detailed insight into this one dentist's opinion on their career and how the practice is run. Shadow as many as possible within reason and you'll get the best idea of what you're getting yourself into..

 

[kkikkokka]

so then
would it be better to shadow different specialists?
thanks.

 

[1992Corolla]

the more the better...