Shadowing Pediatric Dentist Over GP

[Mycoalwin]

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Hi everyone,

I'm looking to shadow this coming summer, and there doesn't seem to be many great GP opportunities around my home town to shadow (unless I drive somewhat excessively every time I do). However, there's a seemingly great Pediatric dentist that I could probably ask to shadow, but my question is: can shadowing a pediatric dentist over a GP deter my application in the future in any way? I know that some schools require shadowing of a GP, but don't (and correct me if I'm wrong) pediatric dentists perform the same procedures, just with an extra touch to specialize on children?

Straight to the question: is it bad to shadow only a pediatric dentist and not a GP?

 

[wb1]

I would shadow a GP since you are applying to ds school for GP and not pediatric.
Shadowing a GP+pediatric would be great. However, if pediatric is the only dentist that allow you to shadow then do what you can. It would be hard to convince adcom that you could only find pediatric dentist to shadow 🙂.

 

[Mycoalwin]

I guess it's not so much that it's difficult to find a GP, but I read reviews on all of the single-dentist practices aroud and try to find the GP's that people actually really like (I figure it would bring me a better experience). Most of the practices around have multiple dentists working, and I'm not sure how the shadowing experience would be in such a practice (unless I'm overthinking it).

 

[Glimmer1991]

If I were you, I would just split the time. Do 50 hours with a GP and 50 hours with the great pediatric dentist. That way, at least you've covered your bases.

 

[omgroll]

I think doing pedo only is okay. The problem with shadowing specialist comes from usually patients being referred patients/short term patients. You don't really get to see the long term relationships you can form with patients. Pedo office however is a great provider for that. Also pedo offices usually get patients that are uncooperative/mentally challenged. The admins undetstand that and actually one of my interviewer said that "we must accept you since you shadowed at a pedo office"