What to email when asking to shadow a dentist?

[ChewyDrop]

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Is there a certain format to this? Do you straight up ask them if you could shadow them for a day or so? Also could anyone give me an example email of what you sent to your dentist that you shadowed? Thanks!

 

[PaxRoma]

Call them up. I always prefer to hear or meet the student in person if possible. If not, you can email them first by introduce yourself, then state that you are interested in dentistry and finished with asking if you can come shadow, then provide your schedule and leave a contact.

 

[AlyssaRof2012]

I don't email, I call their office. I just say "Hi! I am a junior/senior/whatever at XYZ and I was wondering if I could come in to shadow Dr.SoandSo." Sometimes I named a relative or other dentist who referred me to them if I felt it would help them say yes. Have only gotten 1 no. And I don't just shadow for a day. More like minimum 35-40 hours per person. They never ask how long I intend to shadow, though, until the day I get there. Then I usually tell them the minimum I aim for (because I read somewhere that the dentist you get a recommendation from you have to have shadowed for a minimum of ~40 hours... that could've been specific to a certain school, though), and they say something along the lines of "Oh sure, that'll be fine."

 

[Weakfart]

If your undergrad or local uni has a pre-dental club, see if they have listings up for practices to shadow. Otherwise, I just called a practice, explained who I was and that I was interested in shadowing. They either said yes or no.

 

[okiedokeartichoke]

It's probably best if you call their office. I've e-mailed dentists before, and I have gotten zero responses back from the 3 that I have. However, I called 3 other places and 2/3 said yes. The one that said no already had people shadowing the dentists there at the time.

 

[Soleus715]

Since the receptionist gets the email/call, I recommend providing your CV/resume and contact information so that there isn't much of a back and forth communication between you, receptionist, and dentist.
The easier you make it for the dentist, the easier it is for you to have a shadowing opportunity.

Also, every dentist is different. Once you get a chance to speak with a dentist, make sure you find out what is expected of you. Be smart about it and ask important questions.
If the dentist doesn't allow you to do anything but stand in the corner and watch silently, the experience is worthless imo.

On a side note, if you were to shadow where I work, you would almost have zero time to ask questions directly to the dentist. However, you'll be allowed to help out and learn from assistants.
This will give you a different perspective on dentistry as opposed to a more relaxed office where you can assist the dentist and ask questions during procedures.
I think for this reason it's beneficial to shadow at more than one office to get a broader perspective. (Also to see a variety of procedures)

 

[mariojoa]

Nothing is more effective than showing up and talking to them face to face.

 

[tropicarrie]

The best way is it find your general dentist and have him refer you.

 

[pgex2t]

Nothing is more effective than showing up and talking to them face to face.

 

[Soleus715]

Nothing is more effective than showing up and talking to them face to face.

completely forgot about that option.. honestly I would appreciate that over everything. it'll appear most professional and allow the staff to get a good first impression.

 

[MolarBear11]

I would stick to calling. You can contact many more offices that way and tbh they probably won't care if you call or go in person, the info has to be passed to the dentist either way. They probably won't care for your resume either.

 

[omed-hospdent]

I was actually told by my dentist that just randomly showing up at her office and asking to shadow would've been a great waste of my time.
She said that would've preferred an e-mail stating that I would like to shadow. That way, she had more time to prepare for me to shadow.
I did e-mail her first and she set up a day and time for me to come by.

HOWEVER, I WISH I would have physically visited dentists.
When I was e-mailing dentists to shadow, I sent 20 emails (resume and cover letter) and got a response from 2: one saying no and the other saying I could only come for a month. I ended up staying for longer than a month.

SO, I would e-mail first and add your resume and a cover letter (not sure if this is necessary). Not sure if this would apply to all dentist offices, but e-mail either the business officer or the person in the front office who would answer emails for the practice. This way, your e-mail will get read.
If you don't get any responses, don't get discouraged; go and visit offices, leave contact information if the dentist can't see you.

Good luck!! 🙂

 

[MolarBear11]

Also with emailing, they can just straight up ignore you (like above). That's why I call, they have no choice but to give you an answer and you can be pushy lol

 

[Iwanttopulloutteeth]

After Turkey Day when I finish shadowing at one dentist's office, I'm going to go to another office and ask if I can shadow there. I figure since I'll already be looking dapper, why not. I think it's harder to say no to someone's face lol

 

[KillaCam]

In my opinion, any dentist who doesn't let one shadow is an A-hole. And to provide no facetime with them is also/still an A-hole. I have multiple students shadow at a time where I work and I show them what I'm doing and bring them into the mix. We all got here by getting interested and shadowing, so be cool and return the favor and make it worth their while is how it should be done. It doesn't slow a dentist down by talking and possibly taking 20 sec to show them a prep, restoration, ect.

 

[ajj70]

I've stopped by offices to ask about shadowing opportunities. Last summer an oral surgeon did contact my school asking for someone to fill in as a dental assistant for a maternity leave and the pre-dent office called me to see if I was interested. I talked to the OS and although the timing did not work to do the temp work, he did let me come in and shadow and assist...which was beyond cool!!!!!! I have shadowed at several offices and every dentist I've talked to was more than happy to have me come in. It's really not hard to find dentists that will help, at least in our area.

 

[ckirty]

Don't forget to use your general dentist or anyone in the field that you feel close with on a personal level. I talked to my general dentist about shadowing, and he got me in contact with a variety of specialists that he refers patients to. All of them also let me come shadow (oral surgeon, perio, endo, ortho, facial pain specialist). Not sure if my dentist put in a good word, or I just happened to find a group of dentists willing to help predents, but he saved me the time of finding these places on my own.

 

[cpain]

I went in person and dropped my resume off (with a sticky note attached showing my contact information) to the front desk receptionists, and asked them to give it to Dr. X because I was interested in shadowing him.

 

[Bucks783]

Agree with most above

Call or go in