So... I was thinking this is a pretty awesome idea

[SaveThisLabRat]

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So like... hi! Alright, I haven't posted in just about forever. And now that I am back, I have changed career goals slightly.

I've always wanted to go into forensics. It's a definite. Just how I wanted to accomplish that has changed over time. To make a long story short, I'm now checking out forensic odontology. I don't care about the money, I don't care about the prestige, white coat, nothing. I just want to do something I love and am passionate about. Identifying the dead seems to be my passion =)

I just have a question. How does volunteering work in the dental field? Do pre-dents usually do volunteering in an office or stick to shadowing more often?

Also - gaaaah there are no dental schools in Hawaii! This creates a problem.

 

[doc3232]

So...we shadow, we don't really volunteer as much.

As for the problem of you being in Hawaii...Some schools pity you residents with no state school so they give you some preference when you apply.
Maybe UCSF and UCLA?
Maybe UW...

 

[SaveThisLabRat]

You're going to laugh and laugh...

But I am actually a Cali bird (for the time being). I am a UCLA student. I HATE THIS SCHOOL. So I am leaving in the fall to start anew with my beau and transfer. I guess I do plan on getting my Hawaiian residency. So by time application process comes around, I will be one. Lol @ me coming back to UCLA.

What sucks is, I'm going to have to be departed from my love =(

 

[SaveThisLabRat]

Hm, maybe this isn't such an awesome idea after all.

Okay well anyway, about how many hours of shadowing (minimum) is appropriate? So I can do twice that! Not really but no really, about how many does the usual applicant have?

 

[Waitlisted2009]

.

 

[SaveThisLabRat]

Where should I volunteer? In a hospital doing pre-med stuff, or do some dental offices allow for volunteers? Answering phones/welcoming patients? Cleaning tools? Things like that?

I know, I'm asking the same question like 3 times. I'm just into specifics.

 

[doc toothache]

Where should I volunteer? In a hospital doing pre-med stuff, or do some dental offices allow for volunteers? Answering phones/welcoming patients? Cleaning tools? Things like that?

You seem to be a little confused about the rationale behind shadowing.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527523

 

[SaveThisLabRat]

Uh, I know exactly what shadowing is, and the "rationale" behind it.

I was questioning the volunteering, as it seems a little impractical when it comes to dentistry?

Anyway, thanks for your help everybody!

 

[bjhath]

I was questioning the volunteering, as it seems a little impractical when it comes to dentistry?

Volunteering doesn't have to be dentistry related. It is encouraged mostly so that you demonstrate, and experience, care and service for your community.

Altruism is a part of dentistry. Adcoms want to know that, as a leader in your community, you will use a portion of your time/income/knowledge to help those less fortunate.

 

[SaveThisLabRat]

Oh okay. That's good. I have volunteered a lot doing various projects (and in a hospital) because I just enjoy volunteering. But volunteering in a dental office seemed odd, as compared to volunteering in a hospital, because they are small and not nearly as chaotic.