What to do during gap year before dental school?

[peach24fruit]

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Hey everyone, I'll be taking a gap year after I graduate in May 2020 and will be applying to dental schools that same summer. I'm wondering if anyone has any knowledge on what dental schools like to see you do during gap year? Currently my plans are to apply to be a research assistant and do more dental shadowing, but I don't have any other ideas aside from that. I might consider becoming a dental assistant as well if research assisting doesn't go as planned. Please help!

 

[Mhzzz]

You could attend an ADEA conference or volunteer at a Mission of Mercy event in your state. Also volunteering or interning at a dental clinic along with your shadowing

 

[predent2019]

I am currently in a gap year and am working in a dental office at the front office. I know its not clinical, but I think I am learning a lot of valuable info with regards to how insurance works, the processes for scheduling certain procedures, etc. They dont emphasize the business aspect of dentistry in dental school and many dental schools I've interviewed at have mentioned how valuable knowing this stuff before even starting dental school.

 

[ncide]

Back in the day I worked as an orthodontic assistant and even now the experience comes up during post-doctoral residency interviews. I would recommend some clinical exposure because it gives you some experiences to discuss during your interviews, it shows you how to handle cases and gives you some exposure to patient management, and it certainly allows you some opportunities to network which may be beneficial to you when you have your doctorate and are looking to practice.

 

[flosslikeaboss1]

I completed a MS in Biomedical Sciences and now am currently taking a gap year and working as an Emergency Department Medical Scribe! I was unable to find a position in a dental office so this was personally the best next thing. Plus, we actually see a lot of dental cases!

 

[peach24fruit]

I am currently in a gap year and am working in a dental office at the front office. I know its not clinical, but I think I am learning a lot of valuable info with regards to how insurance works, the processes for scheduling certain procedures, etc. They dont emphasize the business aspect of dentistry in dental school and many dental schools I've interviewed at have mentioned how valuable knowing this stuff before even starting dental school.

Did you email/call the office saying that you specifically interested in working at the front office? Or did you say you were interested in working with them in any way and they gave you that offer?

 

[peach24fruit]

Back in the day I worked as an orthodontic assistant and even now the experience comes up during post-doctoral residency interviews. I would recommend some clinical exposure because it gives you some experiences to discuss during your interviews, it shows you how to handle cases and gives you some exposure to patient management, and it certainly allows you some opportunities to network which may be beneficial to you when you have your doctorate and are looking to practice.

Thank you so much! Also like what I asked for @predent2019, did you email/call the office saying you were interested in doing so? Or was there some application process?

 

[predent2019]

Did you email/call the office saying that you specifically interested in working at the front office? Or did you say you were interested in working with them in any way and they gave you that offer?

I just saw the job listing on Indeed and applied! In my state they usually require DA's to take a 9 month course so this was one of the only options for me to work in a dental setting.