Summer Internship

Started by DearSky
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DearSky

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Hello! I'm currently a junior in highschool, and the time has come to sign up for summer internships before the senior year. I wanted to be a pediatrician or a cardiac surgeon, but then...as you know, I'm in the dental thread. I'm actually suprised myself.

Anyways, I was wondering how to go about looking for volunteering or internship positions for the summer? I'd like to get hands-on experience to see what a dentist's typical day looks like, as well as job shadow and help out in the clinic--and of course, see if dental is right for me.

Unlike hospitals, most if not all dental offices are private. Should I call some local offices and ask if they need any help or are offering internship positions? I'm willing to lend a hand and even clean! I just want to be able to get the experience and maybe even volunteer at that dental clinic for the next year or so.

Thank you.
 
do a search on these forums.
some keywords to search:
dental shadowing
shadowing a dentist

Dentists are more likely to let you shadow than to assist or volunteer. Yes, start calling local offices, or even your dentist, or if you have friends/family/family friends who are dentists/ friends of friends/ friends of family - they are probably most likely to let you shadow.

I don't even know what an 'internship position' means, but I would guess you are trying to say you want something low-key to do at a dentist's office where you can gain some experience... I suppose shadowing is your better bet...
 
I asked our family dentist if I could shadow him for a week during Easter break my junior year of high school. The following summer I worked in his office developing x-rays, cleaning up, etc. I eventually worked as an assistant in the summer during college. It helped me a lot and now I have a bit of experience before I enter dental school this summer. Hope this helps. Good luck.