should i take notes

[Yellow-Jellow]

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I'm supposed to start shadowing a dentist by next week -- what should i do? should i take notes ( writing notes ) and is he suposed to write me a note and sign it.....and do i have to physically practice , i mean..is he gonna make me fix some teeth of real people?? .and ...do u get paid for shadowing a dentist 😛 ??...or do u have to pay him??
thanx 😀

 

[mobius]

nah, just check out what he does, listenand pay attention....

 

[Dr.Smiley-OR]

I'm supposed to start shadowing a dentist by next week -- what should i do? should i take notes ( writing notes ) and is he suposed to write me a note and sign it.....and do i have to physically practice , i mean..is he gonna make me fix some teeth of real people?? .and ...do u get paid for shadowing a dentist 😛 ??...or do u have to pay him??
thanx 😀

1) just watch what the dentist and the dental assistant do, listen to how they deal with their patients, observe what treatments they are performing, ask question in a polite and appropriate way that do not interrupt him in the middle of his concentration,
2)Do not need to write note. Just show that you are enthusiasitic and willing to learn. Don't yawn and show that you are bored! Remember that he is the one that will write you a letter of recommendation. You want to show your positive attitude and behaviors.
3) He should not ask you to fix teeth, that is unethical. However, you can help out with suction if you know how, and help out with cleaning the chair after the patients left. Ask the dental assistants if they need your help. I am sure they will give you something to do, but again, not major thing. They cannot ask you to treat patients.
4) I wish that they pay you for your time there. But you are there to observed, not working, so why should they?

Have fun!

 

[Yellow-Jellow]

thanx for the replys....i forget to ask this question...do i have to stick with him for the whole day??? or a 2 hrs are enough??..

 

[Sprgrover]

The dentist is doing you a favor, not the other way around, so you shouldn't expect to paid. Also, dress professionally. Remember, they don't call it 'shadowing' for nothing - you are there to observe, and not just the procedures the dentist performs. As Dr.Smiley-OR stated, try to watch the assistants and staff. See how the office functions, the routines, the dynamics of the staff, and so on. If you return you might be able to develop a nice rapport with some of the assistants or hygienists, and if so, ask them what they think are the makings of a good dentist and boss (remember, as a practitioner you will not only have to have good clinical skills but you will need good people/managerial ones as well). Also, try to stay out of the way, don't gasp or freak out if something startles you (as this will upset the patient). Try to let the dentist initiate conversation if he/she is working on a patient (or in other words speak when it's appropriate). Have fun! 👍

 

[Sprgrover]

thanx for the replys....i forget to ask this question...do i have to stick with him for the whole day??? or a 2 hrs are enough??..

It's not necessary, but I always tried to stick around for the full day. Why? Well, I figured I could soak in more. I also reasoned that someday I would need to do the same so dedicating more time would make for a more realistic 'simulation.' Besides, sticking out the day with a dentist is bound to make a good impression.

 

[dent_girl]

it is your benefit to pay attention to your dentist's procedure, but
don't make the patient feel nervous. when I was shadowing a dentist,
most patients are pretty nervous before they even come in, and when
I just stood there staring at them, they seemed to get more nervous.
sometimes it's better to ask patients if it is okay to observe
and most of them are okay with it.

 

[rocknightmare]

is it me or is shadowing really boring?🙂

 

[dent_girl]

it is boring unless they do a cool surgery. my dentist once did a removal
of extra skin between lips and teeth using a hydraulic laser and that was pretty cool.

 

[dexadental]

As the dentist I shadow likes to say, "dentistry isn't really a spectator sport"...however, I always enjoy watching the root canals he performs 🙂 (maybe its some sick sadistic fetish lol). Hes incredibly interesting and fun to be around, and always remember, if you don't like the dentist you shadow, GO FIND A NEW ONE! You don't want to be stuck with a rude dentist to write that much needed and important LOR. Luckily, I found a great one. Conclusion...shadowing isn't boring if you're working with an enthusiastic dentist and seeing cool operations being performed.

 

[hockeydentist]

Shadowing allows you to get a feel for dentistry. You'll either like it or not like it.

HD

 

[mccarth2]

It is usually good to stay all day because sometimes they have emergency cases so you might miss something even though it isn't on the schedule. Also, I think it might offend the dentist if you don't have a reason to leave early. Try to go to lunch with them if you can, you'll be amazed how much more you can learn. Some dentists are very open about their practice and will tell you about stuff you want to know, but can't find online: insurance, liability, and setting up a practice (I've noticed the recent graduates are).

 

[dds8]

..however, I always enjoy watching the root canals he performs 🙂 (maybe its some sick sadistic fetish lol).
i also liked watching the root canal procedure specifically when they had to shave down the tooth i guess we share the samr sick fetish

 

[DrTacoElf]

Keeping a log after you leave the office each time will help tons when interview time rolls around 🙂