What to do during shadowing

[Faefly]

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My cousin started shadowing a dentist, from the first day his assistant told her you don't ask questions, they will think you are not interested, my cousin said I don't want to ask too many questions from the first day and annoy the dentist, and then the second day they told her, the dentist said you don't ask questions, you are not interested.
So she asked him some questions, and she said he was kinda annoyed when I asked him questions. She is confused now.

• What should she do?

I thought it was advisable to just observe and keep questions to the minimal, I have a one-day shadowing opportunity next week, and I don't know what is the right thing to do, when to ask questions, what not to do? When to ask if the dentist might consider letting me shadow for another day?

 

[CubsFan44]

I always kept myself to asking maybe 1 question during the day. I never wanted to annoy the dentist or get in their way, and if something super interesting was happening, the dentists were pretty good about explaining what was going on

 

[Faefly]

I always kept myself to asking maybe 1 question during the day. I never wanted to annoy the dentist or get in their way, and if something super interesting was happening, the dentists were pretty good about explaining what was going on

Thank you for sharing this with me. Like I said, my cousin experience, got us both confused because we thought it was better to ask less questions. I hope my dentist will be approachable and easy going.

 

[Toothout]

My cousin started shadowing a dentist, from the first day his assistant told her you don't ask questions, they will think you are not interested, my cousin said I don't want to ask too many questions from the first day and annoy the dentist, and then the second day they told her, the dentist said you don't ask questions, you are not interested.
So she asked him some questions, and she said he was kinda annoyed when I asked him questions. She is confused now.

• What should she do?

I thought it was advisable to just observe and keep questions to the minimal, I have a one-day shadowing opportunity next week, and I don't know what is the right thing to do, when to ask questions, what not to do? When to ask if the dentist might consider letting me shadow for another day?

I always asked one question per procedure (but nothing that would sound like I'm just asking for the sake of asking. I would wait for something interesting to happen and ask).

However, I ask tons of questions once I'm in the office with the dentist while she/he types or just use the pc.

P.S. It just depends on the dentist's personality. Mine always liked to chitchat or even explain the procedures while they worked.

 

[schmoob]

I disagree, respectfully.
Ask (meaningful) questions. This is why you are there, to learn. Learn what you are taught. Learn what you don't know. I agree that you are right not to disturb the doctor mid-procedure, it shows alot of respect on your part. But in between patients ask about everything. One of the dentists I shadowed was so proud of his new server. It had dual SSD hard drives, using one as a real time backup, as well as real-time cloud backup and everything was HIPAA compliant. It was a huge, awesome tower that was silent. At first I wondered who cares? I want to learn about dentistry, I know IT. But later on I realized how big of a deal this was. Practice management is very important.
Ask about clinical stuff, patient management, equipment, software, everything. If the doctor is too busy, talk to the office manager. Talk to the hygienists and assistants!! I learned SO much talking to all of them. One question a day is not enough. Open the (metaphorical) door for the doc and just let them start talking and teaching. And really listen, even if you don't think it's important because you might realize later on how important it is.
Good luck! I hope everything works out!