Shadowing tomorrow. What should I expect?

[Longcatislong]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So, I'm going to shadow a general family dentist tomorrow, and this will be my first time shadowing a dentist! What should I expect? Should I come prepared with questions is there anything you would imagine I should know beforehand?

 

[molar3]

expect to do nothing. expect to stand behind or somewhere within the vicinity of the dentist, sometimes not even behind him so you wont even be able to see the procedure hes doing bc he needs his space and his assistans will need space and youll kind of just be in the way. im not kidding
so to make the expirience less awkward and to make yourself seem more involved, ask alot of questions about the procedures hes doing (sometimes u cant even do this bc of hippa and the doctor doesnt want to say in front of the patient) so just ask generic questions........

 

[Longcatislong]

Hmmm...like what sorts of question would be not ok by hippa standards? Those that ask something direct about the patients medical history? What would be good generic questions?

 

[321931]

expect to do nothing. expect to stand behind or somewhere within the vicinity of the dentist, sometimes not even behind him so you wont even be able to see the procedure hes doing bc he needs his space and his assistans will need space and youll kind of just be in the way. im not kidding
so to make the expirience less awkward and to make yourself seem more involved, ask alot of questions about the procedures hes doing (sometimes u cant even do this bc of hippa and the doctor doesnt want to say in front of the patient) so just ask generic questions........

It might be one of these experience:

1) To be honest, its quite boring. First day, it's a bit awkward. It's gets better the next few days as you get to see cool procedures 10 feet away glaring at someone's mouth and asking superficial questions afterwards. Fast forward a few days, you ask all there is to ask...and begin to see the same old routine which equates to boredom.

2) You just click well and it's actually fun. But don't overstay your stay.

Source: Shadowed 5 Dentists of various specialties 😛

Edit: Ask about the procedure and why. I.E. Why did you readjust the bracket a few milimeters? OOOO so bone reformation happens in order for braces to work...but what happens with to much pressure from overbites, how do you compensate? It's just a simple scientific conversation that starts from a simple question and evolves into a conversation. Just be curious.

 

[Hockeytown19]

I was wondering the same thing as well. I think they would be able to explain the procedures but I don't know what else you would be able to do. Also, as far as dress code goes, what is appropriate?

 

[321931]

Just ask the receptionist/dentist. Some dentist's I shadowed, I wore dress pants and dress shirt, and other dentist's required me to wear a "uniform" similar to Dental Hygienist/Assistant.

 

[MechZZ]

Be prepared to be the janitor.

 

[Mr PS09]

i think it depends how you know the dentist but dont expect to do much... For me, I just watched and asked questions here and there. If you become a regular shadower , you may actually get to "assist" and do some cool stuff like me.

 

[Mr PS09]

I wore dress shirt and pant. Not a fancy shirt though a professional shirt (blue or white) if you know what i mean.

 

[dentalWorks]

I wore scrubs to all my shadowing appointments... reason I did that: I asked the dentist before and they suggested I should look like the staff so patients don't freak out when they see a shirt&tie guy standing over them.

On your first day, do nothing, Just stay calm, and let things flow, if you don't have a question, thats okay, its your first day. If you throw too many questions your first day, it might look like your just trying to impress them, don't do that