what happens if i have no dental experience?

[SF85tea]

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So after i finished my DAT (22/22/18) with cGPA 3.986 and sGPA 3.979, I tried to shadow some dentists, then I can finish my dental application as soon as possible because it is already pretty late. However, NOBODY accepts shadowing or volunteers. I called so many dental offices, some of them said "we are very busy..u don't need experience...u get experience when u go to dental school...or in the hospital.." the rest of them even pretend that they were not there...i am so depressed right now. I was a premed student before, so all i have is volunteer experience in the hospital and medical clinic. so, should i not apply for dental school just because of that? i was worrying about DAT before, now i couldn't do anything...feel so depressedddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd...Maybe u guys can give me some suggestions...is it true that lacking dental experience really blocks my way to a good dental school or even an ok one?

should i submit my application without shadowing experience or should i wait until i find one........ahhh, and my statement...

 

[tinman831]

There are lots of dentists out there who are willing to let pre-dental students shadow. Every other applicant has gone through it and every dental student has shadowed somebody in the past. During the interview, you will have to prove to the admissions committee that you want to become a dentist. How do you know you want to be a dentist when you don't know what they do or what a dentist does during the day (this is something you will learn while shadowing)? You'll have a hard time getting into dental school (even with your good scores) if you don't do even a minimal amount shadowing. Shadowing is also required by some schools.

Be persistant. Keep visiting dental offices and asking them if you can shadow. It's not that hard... just be patient. Good luck. 🙂

 

[jmac44]

So after i finished my DAT (22/22/18) with cGPA 3.986 and sGPA 3.979, QUOTE]

Don't worry about shadowing...Submit your application and just keep trying to find a dentist who will let you watch him work. Do you have a family dentist? You must have a friend or family member that has a dentist who will help you. Try to find a dentist through some sort of connection and I'm sure you'll have an easier time than cold calling. With your stats you'll definitely get interviews and will probably even get accepted without shadowing somewhere. Just be prepared to answer why you want to be a dentist. Without dental experience it might be hard to explain why you chose this path. Good luck and be prepared for some not-so-nice responses to your question.

 

[armorshell]

IMO quit calling, and just start visiting offices in person. It's alot harder to blow someone off in person. Also, try to find young dentists. Coming from someone who's shadowed 7 dentists, the younger ones have tended to be more open and fun with shadowing.

Good luck!

 

[hpets]

why don't you ask the dentist you go to?

 

[SF85tea]

why don't you ask the dentist you go to?

my dentist said no to me too......................
i think i have the worst luck!

 

[dippedindettol]

dude, with those gpas and that dat, i dont think u need any dental experience lol

 

[Resonance]

You should try to find a nonprofit dental clinic in your area. They can always use free labor and you will likely get a lot of experience not just shadowing, but also working as a dental assistant.

 

[melissamcg]

does your school have a pre-dent club? if so, try contacting one of the officers for any tips. My school had a list of local dentists who were willing to help. Also, try your own dentist if all else fails. your GPA and DAT scores are great so if you can get atleast one shadowing experience lined up, you have a good shot. Good Luck!

 

[philicity]

hurry and submit your application!

i think with your stats, you will at least be able to attend a few interviews. you can talk about your shadowing experience then, if it's even brought up. until then, take other people's advice on how to find a place to shadow. good luck!

 

[remify]

you can always submit your application and do some volunteering/shadowing during the application process. at least then, you can say and provide proof during your interview that you have experience in the field and are determined to pursue dentistry.

i agree with finding a non-profit dental agency or just walking into a dental office to shadow. it really doesn't hurt a dentist for someone to shadow them. and chances are, it's the receptionist who declined you and made an excuse that the office is too busy, not the dentist. if you speak to a dentist, i'm pretty sure not too many will say no to anyone who is interested in dentistry and just wanted to know more about the field.

 

[aggie-master]

I'd suggest trying to find a dentist through your pre-health office or pre-dental society at your school. If that doesn't work, then try finding a dentist in a small town without a college. One of the dentists that I shadowed was from a small town and they seemed very excited to have someone interested in shadowing there. I think dentists in college towns probably get plenty of students asking them so they are more likely to be tired of letting students do it.

 

[sidewalkman]

Yeah, any nonprofit clinic will work.

 

[El Sol]

Nonprofit clinics or community health centers are great for shadowing/volunteering. I've been translating for MD's for the past year and a half and have been observing dentists there for the past six months. The dentists at the community clinic where I'm at even told me that they would let me "get my hands dirty" and assist them during their procedures. 😎

 

[v&andy_yankee]

What REALLY happens if you don't shadow...

...you can apply and (with your stats) probably get into a school of your first choice. But, 2 years into dental school, you'll realize how much you hate it and that it is not what you want to do with your life. By then, it'll be 2 years and $100k down the drain.

Shadow not for the sake of your application, but to confirm that "yes, this is what I want to do."

 

[phremius]

you don't shadow for the sake of putting it on your application, you shadow because that's how you find out whether you want to devote your entire ****ING LIFE TO THIS CAREER.

 

[El Sol]

What REALLY happens if you don't shadow...

...you can apply and (with your stats) probably get into a school of your first choice. But, 2 years into dental school, you'll realize how much you hate it and that it is not what you want to do with your life. By then, it'll be 2 years and $100k down the drain.

Shadow not for the sake of your application, but to confirm that "yes, this is what I want to do."

👍

 

[duh?]

you don't shadow for the sake of putting it on your application, you shadow because that's how you find out whether you want to devote your entire ****ING LIFE TO THIS CAREER.

I second that!

 

[syn_apse]

your stats say you're smart but your lack of exposure to the industry you want to enter says otherwise 😱

 

[speedy3816]

I second that!

I third that (lol, can I say that?)

 

[whiskeysour]

i agree that shadowing should be a requirement, b/c how else will you know if you want to do it if you have no exposure to it?

BUT, how much shadowing is enough?? i see some people post 100 hrs is a good goal...are you f'ing kidding me? give me 20 hrs and i have reaffirmed my decision to go into dentistry. let's be real here: shadowing blows...it's boring as ****, awkward at times, and generally an inconvenience to the dentist.

to the OP, go get SOME dental experience. just enough that you can talk about it in your interview. no need to go overboard here. you have good stats... good luck

WS

 

[speedy3816]

IMO quit calling, and just start visiting offices in person. It's alot harder to blow someone off in person. Also, try to find young dentists. Coming from someone who's shadowed 7 dentists, the younger ones have tended to be more open and fun with shadowing.

Good luck!

this is so true... in my experience with the dentists i've shadowed, the younger ones are much easier to relate with and they usu. are more talkative... IMO it's easier to shadow with them b/c they were in school not that long ago, and they still remember what it was like 👍 . anyways, stop stressing so much... you have a 3.9... GPA, cmon now! the real question is: do you REALLY want to be a dentist? ...don't go just applyin to schools b/c you think you can get in (it's pretty obvious from your stats that you are capable, but do you have the personality?), but find out first if you want to do dentistry... who knows, you might want to be a lawyer instead of a dentist

 

[LadyxJC]

Go volunteer at a hospital, since they always need volunteers, and ask to work at the dental clinic of the hospital. That was my first experience at a dental clinic and the residents are usually very friendly and can tell you a whole lot about their experiences in dental school. And of course you can get the shadowing experience as well.

 

[natsipoo]

IMO quit calling, and just start visiting offices in person. It's alot harder to blow someone off in person. Also, try to find young dentists. Coming from someone who's shadowed 7 dentists, the younger ones have tended to be more open and fun with shadowing.

Good luck!

True. Quite a few of the older dentists (as in 10 yrs out and up) don't even know what shadowing is. Last year, I had to explain the concept to several people including the entire staff at the office where I ended up.