Shadowing while working full time

[jmyshadow]

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Hi Everyone,

I currently work 9-5:30 with maybe a total of 1:30 to 2 hours for commuting time both ways. What would be the best way to get some shadowing done? I have found one Dentist that's been letting me shadow every other Saturday (which is every Saturday they work) but I don't want to wear them out. I also feel like I should be shadowing other Dentists as well. Is my only option to just cold call a bunch of Dentists with Saturday (or maybe even Sunday) hours?

 

[packerland]

I'd ask some other dentists for additional Saturdays.

A variety of dental shadowing is good - it shows you're learning other office styles and how different dentists run their business and clientele. Also, offices differ in technologies and practices - so its good to get a taste of different techniques.

 

[jmyshadow]

Are those 12-8 hours weekday? That could work for me too then. Is cold calling my best bet or is that considered 'rude'?

 

[Dentalguy8621]

I heard some people say on here that cold calling was rude or what not. I think that's nonsense in my opinion. You are looking into getting into the field and are showing genuine interest and being proactive about it. From my experiences, I just called and explained to them I had graduated, finished my degree and have changed my interest to dentistry. I asked if they could relay my message to the dentist directly. I got callbacks stating it was perfectly fine. If you are like me and don't have connections then how else can we get in for some simple shadowing. The worst they will say is No and you just move on to the next.

 

[Dentalguy8621]

Shadowing as you and many dentists know is essential before you commit your life to the field.

 

[techyguy]

I made a list of about 10 places to call in a new city that I was living in, and I got an incredible shadowing experience on the 3rd call. Actually, the 2nd place I called said, "sure, come on in," but the 3rd one was with a lady who had previously worked with a very well-established rural dentist. Her and I had about a half hour long chat, because she mentioned some details about her job that I was really interested to hear about. Anyway, I called up that other dentist and got in. Every dentist I've shadowed has been interesting, but that one was in the top 3.

Oh, and I was working full-time when I did that. I got sick...

 

[packerland]

Are those 12-8 hours weekday? That could work for me too then. Is cold calling my best bet or is that considered 'rude'?

You could cold call; it has worked for me before. But another thing you can do is call up your own dentist and see if he has any colleagues that he could put you in touch with.

 

[beanie5]

Just wanted to comment on shadowing different dentists. I agree it's valuable to do so, but you might also want to call up schools you're interested in and find out:

1. Whether they require a rec from a dentist you shadowed.
2. Whether they want a certain number of hours with one dentist, and whether they want the rec to be from that dentist.

Unless I misunderstood one school I spoke with, they wanted a rec from one dentist that I shadowed for 50 hours.

 

[jmyshadow]

I have shadowed my dentist for ~30 hours as of now. I was already told I can get a rec from them but I know some schools want more hours as well and I want to get a broader range (mostly specialized dentists).