I was just wondering how all of you started shadowing. Did you know the dentist or did you pick one at random? I will be applying next summer, so I know i should get started shadowing as soon as possible. I'm just not sure how to ask someone if I can shadow them.
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shadowing
- Thread starter biogeek
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biogeek,
If the school that you're attending has a dental clinic call or visit the clinic, and let them know that you're interested in the dental profession. That you'll like to oberve/ shadow the dentists. You'll be suprised how nice this dentists are. Or you can call around and ask the dentists in your area, if it could be posible for you to observe them. Just remember it dosen't hurt to ask. For me in particular I know that the letter I got from a dentist in my school clinic helped me a lot in getting admission to that school. Good luck.
If the school that you're attending has a dental clinic call or visit the clinic, and let them know that you're interested in the dental profession. That you'll like to oberve/ shadow the dentists. You'll be suprised how nice this dentists are. Or you can call around and ask the dentists in your area, if it could be posible for you to observe them. Just remember it dosen't hurt to ask. For me in particular I know that the letter I got from a dentist in my school clinic helped me a lot in getting admission to that school. Good luck.
Knowing people always helps!!
I have a cousin who just graduated from dental school and a very close family friend who is retired so networking definitely helps! Unfortunately because I am close to these people (related or personally) I can't have them write me a letter of rec ... BOO!
Also, look in the classified ads in the job section.
When I moved to a big city like Los Angeles, I was kind of intimidated by how many dental clinics there were mainly because usually big clinics want people in their offices to have at least some experience. Like someone said in an earlier post, it makes sense that they might not want an extra body hanging around in their space looking over their shoulders. So one day, I picked up the classifieds and realized that practices need more help than I thought. I basically started calling, initially to speak more of the job posting, and whenever they told me " you need experience", I casually worked in the fact that I am pre-dental student and I was just looking for an opprotunity to get my feet wet.
I got alot of "I'll pass the message on to the doctor" kind of replies and no calls back, but low and behold I found an opprotunity from a very nice, starting practice who were willing to teach me the ropes.
A little persistence pays off... and think of it this way, all that trying will make you realize whether dental school is really what you want!
I have a cousin who just graduated from dental school and a very close family friend who is retired so networking definitely helps! Unfortunately because I am close to these people (related or personally) I can't have them write me a letter of rec ... BOO!
Also, look in the classified ads in the job section.
When I moved to a big city like Los Angeles, I was kind of intimidated by how many dental clinics there were mainly because usually big clinics want people in their offices to have at least some experience. Like someone said in an earlier post, it makes sense that they might not want an extra body hanging around in their space looking over their shoulders. So one day, I picked up the classifieds and realized that practices need more help than I thought. I basically started calling, initially to speak more of the job posting, and whenever they told me " you need experience", I casually worked in the fact that I am pre-dental student and I was just looking for an opprotunity to get my feet wet.
I got alot of "I'll pass the message on to the doctor" kind of replies and no calls back, but low and behold I found an opprotunity from a very nice, starting practice who were willing to teach me the ropes.
A little persistence pays off... and think of it this way, all that trying will make you realize whether dental school is really what you want!
offer to assist for free. if they are open on weekends, offer to work on weekends. offices are always needing people willing to work the weekend hours (or even weekday nights).
assist once a week, for 8 hours, and you'll easily have 100+ hours of dental assisting experience before dental school.
don't be afraid to call an office out of the blue, even if they haven't even posted any wanted ads.
personally, I met a dentist while I was cashiering at a store, and he gave me his business card and told me to call him up.
if you want to get payed for your work, that could make things a little harder. try to work something else out, such as asking them to pay for your lunch each day you work or something. you really don't need to work 40 hours per week in an office. just put in your 8 hours per week, and get another job where you can earn money to save up for tuition.
assist once a week, for 8 hours, and you'll easily have 100+ hours of dental assisting experience before dental school.
don't be afraid to call an office out of the blue, even if they haven't even posted any wanted ads.
personally, I met a dentist while I was cashiering at a store, and he gave me his business card and told me to call him up.
if you want to get payed for your work, that could make things a little harder. try to work something else out, such as asking them to pay for your lunch each day you work or something. you really don't need to work 40 hours per week in an office. just put in your 8 hours per week, and get another job where you can earn money to save up for tuition.
