Shadowing?

[WarpDinosaur]

---

Members do not see this ad.

If someone has done shadowing, can you explain what you did to receive the opportunity? Can you ask your own dentist for shadowing?

 

[Predoctalk]

absolutely.. I would assume this is how most ppl start. I have shadowed more dentists than I can care to count at this point. I started with my dentist, then he said "why don't you go to this office and see it from a different perspective." It can go on and on! Personally I just went in and asked some of the time and most are very friendly and do not mind you coming in as long as they have some background on you. Go for it!

 

[WarpDinosaur]

Ok I'll try that. Any tips on what to do if you manage to get a shadowing opportunity?

 

[BiomajorPreDent]

+1 to ask your dentist.

You want to position yourself in the operatory so you can see in the patients mouth, while not being in the way of the dentist/assistant. I found that to be tricky'er than it sounds lol

The shadowing really depends on the personality of the dentist. The dentists I shadowed were all really cool and would talk through the procedures as they went.

You also want to be careful not to ramble off 1,000 questions while they are filling out charts or thinking through something, or in the middle of a complicated procedure.

I found that between patients/procedures is the best time to chat them up. Even if you don't have any questions, try to have SOMETHING to ask so it's not akward.

At the end of all my shadowing, the dentists always told me "your welcome back whenever" and that they always get some wierdos shadowing that they would never want back into their office. So if you are a normal person with a personality you should be fine.