Shadowing

[TeachME]

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I started shadowing a few weeks ago and it is great. There are 2 dentists and 2 Hygenist and 3 assistants. They also have 2 receptionists.

My question is how am I able to ask my dentist to assist him if the both of the have 3 assistants to share? I am there a few times out of the week and there is also one of assisting a dentist (that's 2) and the other cleaning getting ready for the next patient (in a rotating manner).

What shall I do? If I do get to help then does that count as volunteer experience, if so do I need to log that in seperately from my shadowing hours?

 

[scuzfly]

SOME dentists will let you assist. The dentist I'm shadowing has three or four assistants with 7 rooms for them to work in. I've never been asked to help with anything and I don't expect to be. Shadowing isn't about helping out it's about seeing if you could do this as a career. Could you sit there day in and day out looking at peoples mouths fixing things you told them could be prevented? Can you tell people to use floss for years and have them not listen? Could you tell people what they are doing is going to cost them a small fortune if they continue then tell not say "i told you so" when it happens? Are you going to be able to run the office and order supplies when needed or fix complaints about your workers? Will you be able to deal with manufacturer defects in your furniture or internet problems or computer problems at work when patients are stacked for the day and it takes at least an hour to get to a live person on the phone with that company? Are you the kind of person who needs to schedule your lunch or do you eat throughout the day? Which is more conducive to a dental practice?

That's some of the stuff I've picked up shadowing. It's not about practicing or learning, it's called SHADOWING. You're a SHADOW. While some dentist will let you help them out or hand them tools you are better off asking questions about the tools they used or the procedures or even running the practice. My biggest suggestion is to talk to them about something BESIDES dental. What's something going on in your life that's interesting? What are they doing this weekend or how are their kids doing with that project he mentioned last week? Pay attention when he talks to patients because they are easy conversation starters.

 

[SuiteGrl]

I did work for the dentist I shadowed. In my case, I shadowed for a whole summer, 5 days a week, and would have gone crazy if I just sat and watched.

Ask if you can help with the stuff no one wants to do - like cleaning the lab. If you work doing something they don't want to do for a long time, you can gain their respect and easily slip into something more fun like assisting.

This method takes a long time and it's very hard on the pride - but humility is an important thing to learn too. 🙄

 

[ChrisM07]

Yeah a few people I have talked to recently said they are assisting. I thought you needed to get X-Ray training before you can be an assistant (along with training from a school) but I guess not.

If you are doing something like cleaning the lab and chair area do you necessarily need to get paid for that or can this also be counted as 'shadowing' (I would like a little cash but if the Dr. is unwilling to pay...).

 

[alanan84]

Yeah I'm a little confused about this as well. It seems that alot are assisting. I tried to get a job at a dental office and was told that all positions require some sort of training. The person made it sound like it was just for my state. I guess every state has different laws regarding this but I'm not sure. Any insight on that?

The dentist I shadow has had me suction and give him tools. Wow that made a difference! When you're actually in there it's amazing how much more you see and learn! I would love to assist permanently but I just really don't know the logistics behind it.