Volunteering versus Shadowing?

[ikecarus]

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Can I just ask... is one weighted more than the other?

I am part of a pre-dental society at my college and volunteer regularly at our free dental clinics as an assistant to the dentists that come in to do regular cleaning, extractions, root canals, etc. But I have very few shadowing hours because I haven't had the time to do so between classes and and other extracurriculars.

Would it reflect badly on my application if I have many volunteering hours but very few shadowing hours?

Thank you!

 

[DoeAdeer]

Can I just ask... is one weighted more than the other?

I am part of a pre-dental society at my college and volunteer regularly at our free dental clinics as an assistant to the dentists that come in to do regular cleaning, extractions, root canals, etc. But I have very few shadowing hours because I haven't had the time to do so between classes and and other extracurriculars.

Would it reflect badly on my application if I have many volunteering hours but very few shadowing hours?

Thank you!

I think what you've just described counts as shadowing. And shadowing is more important.

 

[ikecarus]

I guess I always thought of shadowing as simply "watching" and I've always been "doing" (air/suction, setting up trays, assisting), haha. Thank you for the reply! 🙂

 

[b0110]

I guess I always thought of shadowing as simply "watching" and I've always been "doing" (air/suction, setting up trays, assisting), haha. Thank you for the reply! 🙂

I interpreted it like you did, but who knows whats right.

 

[MuskieMan33]

I help with little things around the office when I can when I'm shadowing. Trays and filing when nothing exciting is going on. I consider it shadowing, even when I'm helping with some of the other stuff. I don't want to just sit around and not do anything in those instances when not a whole lot is going on. So I ask the hygienists or receptionists if there is anything I can do. Other times I'm hovering over a root canal or an implant. It just depends whats going on.

 

[docbobi]

I am trying to do some shadowing and volunteering... I am a 33 yo male , with no experience in medical field or dental office. In fact i just changed my major to biology about 3 years ago and passed 90+ credits. NO one accepts me to do shadowing and i don't know where i do volunteering, what can i do?

 

[nondescriptive]

I am trying to do some shadowing and volunteering... I am a 33 yo male , with no experience in medical field or dental office. In fact i just changed my major to biology about 3 years ago and passed 90+ credits. NO one accepts me to do shadowing and i don't know where i do volunteering, what can i do?

Keep calling up dental practices and ask. You will eventually get one. Go volunteer at Habitat for Humanity. I'm a red cross volunteer, although they really need you only when there is a disaster. Fortunately, I live in New Orleans.

 

[autoclavemonkey]

Can I just ask... is one weighted more than the other?

I am part of a pre-dental society at my college and volunteer regularly at our free dental clinics as an assistant to the dentists that come in to do regular cleaning, extractions, root canals, etc. But I have very few shadowing hours because I haven't had the time to do so between classes and and other extracurriculars.

Would it reflect badly on my application if I have many volunteering hours but very few shadowing hours?

Thank you!

On top of your volunteer, shadow a general dentists office for ~40hours. This will help you show adcoms that you know what dentistry consists of in private practice settings as well. I'm sure you can ask one of the volunteer dentists you work with at your free dental clinic. one week of full time shadowing would easily cover that 40hours. So maybe you can get it done during your spring break.

I received this very advice from a dental school admissions dean. GL!

 

[shootingstar7]

Can I just ask... is one weighted more than the other?

I am part of a pre-dental society at my college and volunteer regularly at our free dental clinics as an assistant to the dentists that come in to do regular cleaning, extractions, root canals, etc. But I have very few shadowing hours because I haven't had the time to do so between classes and and other extracurriculars.

Would it reflect badly on my application if I have many volunteering hours but very few shadowing hours?

Thank you!

Its great that you are involved, but shadowing has to take precedent over your other extracurricular commitments.