Summer

[MeaganM]

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I am a second semester freshman and I am not going to a summer program because I feel that I need to learn more as a student first. So I am going to take a class, work, and shadow a dentist.

I already know that I want to be an orthodontist😍, but should I shadow a varitey of dentists or just a regular dental hygienist? Should I call around or try to find one that I know? Would I wear scrubs? Jeans? Casual attire? Business attire? 🙁

😳I know I'm asking a lot of questions but I'm really nervous and I want this summer to be great when I apply to dental school junior year. Thank you for all the help.

If you have any more words of wisdom you can send me an e-mail or whatever: [email protected]

 

[Regmata]

You should shadow a variety of dentists and what you wear will differ by the office. Most likely scrubs or business casual attire. Its great that you want to be an orthodontist...so does 90% of the other predents out there. Only a small percentage actually make it into a program for a variety of reasons. It is important that you determine that you will be happy as a general dentist before going to dental school. Otherwise you may spend years in a very difficult program, not get your ortho spot and be miserable.

If you haven't shadowed yet, how do you know you want to be an orthodontist? Do you possess and innate enjoyment for bending wires? Get some exposure, make sure that you will be happy with the backup plan of being a general dentist just in case and then go for it. Schools will want to see that variety of exposure before accepting you too.

 

[ashaw]

I agree with Regmata, but maybe have a different approach. Shadow other dentists because there are so many other wonderful specialties out there. It's good that you know what you want, but what about the world of oral surgery or prosthodontics!

Anyway, business casual I'd say, unless the dentist actually tells you to wear scrubs. Not jeans. I wouldn't bother shadowing the hygienist. Finally, shadowing a dentist you know would be a good way to ask him about other dentists that he knows. That way you wouldn't have to look around too much.

I hope that helps!

 

[blankguy]

I shadowed general dentists, and endodontists. I feel people should go into dentistry with the idea that they'll be perfectly happy being general dentists. The rest as to getting into other fields within dentistry people should let itself play out during their studies at a dental school.