Too early to start thinking...

[Aero047]

---

Members do not see this ad.

...about applying to Dental school? I'm currently a freshman in college and I'm aiming to get accepted into the 7-year Dental program at my college, or finish one year early and go to dental school to finish in 7 years. I know it isn't recommended to squeeze things in but I want to finish dental school as soon as I can. I was wondering if you could give me some tips on when to take the DAT, or general advice to anyone considering applying to dental school early...I really have no idea where to go since my advisor is just as clueless about this as I am. Thanks in advance.

 

[Biogirl361]

it's never too early to start thinking ahead! you can start applying a little over a year before you plan to enter dental school (example, if you plan to start in aug 2005, you can apply in may 2004). remember to apply early for the best chance at those seats! when you take the dat varies from person to person depending on your situation and what classes you have completed. you want to complete general chem, orgo, and biology at the minimum before the dat, and ideally you should also have taken physiology since there is quite a bit of that on the bio section. in my opinion the ideal time to take the dat is about 2 months before applying. that way if you were to have to retake the dat, you can still retake it and have the scores to schools early (must wait minimum of 90 days between tests). right now your biggest concern is to keep those grades up, ideally around a 3.6+, try to get in a few extracurriculars/volunteering, make good relationships with your professors (you will need 2 letters of recommendation from science professors, you will ask for these a few months before you apply). also try to get in some shadowing hours at a dental office across the next few years. good luck with everything! 🙂

 

[TX Hopeful]

I commend your motivation to pursue a program that allows you to get into a career in dentistry in a shorter amount of time. My question is, though, what is your hurry? Why are you so eager to pass up an extra year or two of opportunity and experience in college to get to work?

I am a non-trad, and I couldn't even imagine going back to dental school right after graduating from undergrad. At the time, it seemed like the best thing to do. But here I am 7 years later, and I am grateful for being emerged in the world to gather experience (even if not related to dentistry).

I'm not saying to take 7 years off. But I guess I'm kind of warning you not to take too much haste, and to enjoy your time, gather experience, and smell the roses before you bring on another incredible commitment like dental school.

Just my $0.02

 

[Aero047]

I commend your motivation to pursue a program that allows you to get into a career in dentistry in a shorter amount of time. My question is, though, what is your hurry? Why are you so eager to pass up an extra year or two of opportunity and experience in college to get to work?

I am a non-trad, and I couldn't even imagine going back to dental school right after graduating from undergrad. At the time, it seemed like the best thing to do. But here I am 7 years later, and I am grateful for being emerged in the world to gather experience (even if not related to dentistry).

I'm not saying to take 7 years off. But I guess I'm kind of warning you not to take too much haste, and to enjoy your time, gather experience, and smell the roses before you bring on another incredible commitment like dental school.

Just my $0.02

I don't like rushing things myself, but there are some personal reasons why I feel I have to complete it in the least amount of time. You guys must be wondering what that problem might be and whether or not it's a good reason, but it's just something I have to do.

Thanks for all your responses...wish me luck 🙂

Btw, I'm probably one of the most shyest people on this planet. How would I go about asking to shadow a dentist? What does that involve? I hope I'm not sounding too ignorant here.

 

[45540]

At my school there is a program you can get in to complete 3 years of college and then go straight to dental school. After 1 year of dental school you're awarded a BS in Molecular Sciences. A girl i went to school with did that and she's a year ahead of me in Dent school now.

It's something to look into, but i wouldn't do that method, i feel that i needed a senior year to mature and kick back before dent school.

 

[crazy_sherm]

Btw, I'm probably one of the most shyest people on this planet. How would I go about asking to shadow a dentist? What does that involve? I hope I'm not sounding too ignorant here.

A good place to start would be with your own dentist. Just bring up the fact that you're interested in dentistry and would like to observe them if they don't mind. Otherwise, you can try talking to dentists that your friends or family see. That's what I ended up doing because my dentist is just getting her practice started and she didn't think she would be the best person to shadow. I've shadowed at my gf's dentist, my sister's, and one of my high school buddy's.

As for the shy thing...all I can say is to really make an effort to be more outspoken. A large part of dentistry is forming a good rapport with your patients, so get ready to start yapping it up!

Good luck!

 

[Biogirl361]

i was pretty uncomfortable myself, asking dentists if i could shadow them. the easiest thing to do in my opinion is start with your personal dentist. next time you go in for a regularly sceduled cleaning, just casually mention that you're thinking seriously about dentisty as a career and would he mind if you came in and observed him for a few days (in my experience the dentists didn't really know what the term "shadow" meant... so say "observe" instead). you can also just call dentist offices on the phone and explain to the secretary that you are interested in dentistry and was wondering if the doctor would be interested in having a student in the office for a day. don't be discouraged or take it personally if you get a few nos. some dentists just aren't comfortable being watched or don't like their daily routine disturbed. keep trying though and you will find that some dentists are really thrilled that kids are interestd in them and their job and would love to help you. the dentist i work for, it just makes his day when kids ask if they can come observe! hope this helps.

 

[Aero047]

So when you shadow a dentist do you just walk around and see what he does with his patients all day?

 

[edkNARF]

I did that for the first day. Whenever I got there now, I just chat with the office manager!

 

[crazy_sherm]

So when you shadow a dentist do you just walk around and see what he does with his patients all day?

It's really up to you and what the dentist office you're visiting feels comfortable with. While observing the dentist is important, you should be sure to get a feel of what goes on in the office as a whole to make sure this is the type a work environment you may eventually want to devote your career to.

I've been going on a pretty regular basis on Saturday mornings to this one office near my house. A lot of times I'll go in before patients come in so I can see how they set up. I'll talk to the front desk staff to learn about billing, how they handle accounts, what they do to manage patients etc. Some days I'll spend more time with the RDA and see what she does, ask her about the processes in the sterilizing room, or the proper ways to mix alginates.

There are a lot of different types of practices. I've been to some that have several dentists and a bunch of hygienists, and I've been to ones where the dentist does everything from making appointments to mopping the floor.

 

[toofache32]

I observed several dentists before going to dental school. Don't feel shy about asking them. I have never seen a dentist who didn't like having someone observing their work. It's a huge complement and they usually will go out of their way to show you lot's of cool stuff.