I'm not too sure what they do out at UCLA but here at the UF dental clinic I volunteer at, you pretty much watch over the dental students (you can get to know a few and gives you a chance to get your face in with the faculty). I enjoy it alot, but I know some people who are pre-med and are only volunteering in the dental clinics so that next semester they have top choice at a medical specialty, like ER or pediatrics (apparently they signed up late or something). Its really up to the dental student as to how much you can do, I've stuck my fingers in people's mouths (gloves on of course), flossed a man's teeth, and help make the composite and other things...not sure if I'm "allowed" to do this however. All in all its a fun experience, and gives you an opp. to see if you'd really like to be a dental student...minus the studying... 😀