Shadowing

[101160]

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Do I start shadowing as an undergraduate student?

Or is shadowing done once you get into a dental school?

(Just go find a dentist and ask if I could shadow them?)

And what exactly is shadowing?

 

[polarnut]

shadowing is when a stranger stands behind you and breathes down on your neck and you somehow cant shake the gut feeling you're about to get owned.

 

[tinman831]

Do I start shadowing as an undergraduate student?

Or is shadowing done once you get into a dental school?

(Just go find a dentist and ask if I could shadow them?)

And what exactly is shadowing?

Shadowing is pretty much observing a dentist in practice so you can determine for yourself if dentistry would be a career you would be interested in. That being said, you need to do this before you apply for dental school.

 

[101160]

Shadowing is pretty much observing a dentist in practice so you can determine for yourself if dentistry would be a career you would be interested in. That being said, you need to do this before you apply for dental school.

And how long would be good enough while I'm in college?

 

[vize]

I don't think it's a matter of how long is best... if it's in your heart then you should be able to shadow all the way until you're in dental school!

 

[101160]

Is it better to start in my freshman year?

 

[deejay]

I never understood "shadowing" in dentistry. It must get boring really fast. Volunteering as an assistant at a free clinic might be a better idea.

 

[54807]

I never understood "shadowing" in dentistry. It must get boring really fast. Volunteering as an assistant at a free clinic might be a better idea.

Yeah, I couldn't stand "shadowing" in the traditional sense. I always ended up in the lab or folding blankets or cleaning things just to stay busy. But now that I'm working as an assistant I love it.

Shadowing can be very tedious and boring and you feel like you're totally in the way all the time. I think shadowing is good if you dont have any idea of what you want your job to be like. It doesn't take shadowing to figure out that dentists: work with patients, work with their staff, must teach patients things, must be able to talk with patients, provide an important service, blah, blah, blah. So I didn't see shadowing to be of much use. But now that I've been working alot and seen lots of cases I get to see some of the crazy things in the office that you would never see shadowing. The things about dentistry that drive the dentists crazy.

Basically, if I was in high school still, I'd think shadowing was way more important. But I've been working in other fields and have more maturity and it doesn't take shadowing for me to figure out what is most important to me.

1) Play the game and get some hours in so you have something to talk about at your interview
2) Talk with the dentists OUTSIDE the office. The dental practice is VERY busy and not the place to talk to the Drs. They have way to many things to do and production on the mind. I talked with lots of dentists outside of the office and it was way more beneficial than just watching procedures all the time. They'll be perfectly honest with you also...they won't be held back by their staff or patients being present.

Just my thoughts...maybe some other people have had more beneficial shadowing experiences!!

 

[tinman831]

And how long would be good enough while I'm in college?

You need to shadow for as long as it takes for you to realize whether or not you can devote your entire life to dentistry. It takes longer for some than others.

 

[DMD BME]

Hey Everyone,
I'm new to this site (first post), and I recently (within the last year) have found an interest in the dental profession. I just finished my second year in engineering (biomedical eng.), and dedided that i dont want to be an engineer by profession. I'm going to finish my major anyway and apply to D-school. I was just wondering how i can go about getting an opportunity to shadow a dentist. Should I focus on a specialty, or a general dentist? Does anyone know if there are any internships or assistant type positions available for students? I finished all my requirements and I'm thinking about taking the DATs late Aug.

Thanks

 

[GoDucks69]

Hey Everyone,
I'm new to this site (first post), and I recently (within the last year) have found an interest in the dental profession. I just finished my second year in engineering (biomedical eng.), and dedided that i dont want to be an engineer by profession. I'm going to finish my major anyway and apply to D-school. I was just wondering how i can go about getting an opportunity to shadow a dentist. Should I focus on a specialty, or a general dentist? Does anyone know if there are any internships or assistant type positions available for students? I finished all my requirements and I'm thinking about taking the DATs late Aug.

Thanks

I would say to shadow a few dentists, definately a general dentist and one of a specialty or two if you want to. I didnt have any kind of assistant position or anything available, but I called up a low income dental clinic and asked them if I could volunteer there. I had the ability to help out the clinic while I shadowed the dentist. It was definately a good experience. It is just a matter of making a few phone calls, most dentists are happy to help out.

 

[orangutan777]

What type of qalifications do you need to become a dental assistant? I am still in my freshman year and trying to get a grip of how dental internships/job positions are attained.

 

[54807]

What type of qalifications do you need to become a dental assistant? I am still in my freshman year and trying to get a grip of how dental internships/job positions are attained.

I just wrote a letter to 10 dentists and specialists in my area and asked to shadow with the intent on ultimatly gaining a position. I spent ALOT of time on this letter making it sound good. Sent my resume as well. It all paid off though because I'm working at an oral surgery office and loving it all. Two offices called me back.

My fellow assistants all went through tech schools and they are actually very well trained and very fast at what they do. You will need to do lots of convincing to get a job. Also, don't expect to be paid as much as them.

Best of luck though!! It's all very much worth it...shadowing is awefully boring and working gets you really involved with the practice.

PM if you want me to look over your letter, I can give you advice as to why I THINK my letter was effective. You can try calling as well but the doctors are always so busy...

 

[Lidopaine82]

Hey Everyone,
I'm new to this site (first post), and I recently (within the last year) have found an interest in the dental profession. I just finished my second year in engineering (biomedical eng.), and dedided that i dont want to be an engineer by profession. I'm going to finish my major anyway and apply to D-school. I was just wondering how i can go about getting an opportunity to shadow a dentist. Should I focus on a specialty, or a general dentist? Does anyone know if there are any internships or assistant type positions available for students? I finished all my requirements and I'm thinking about taking the DATs late Aug.

Thanks

DMD BME BME as in www.bmezine.com ? ...sweet