What to wear when shadowing?

[RAlec114]

Business casual? 😕

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[321931]

Business casual? 😕

Ask the receptionist/doctor. I wore scrubs for a few dentists and for some others, I wore dress pants with a polo.

It all depends.

 

[Blue Panther]

Business casual.

 

[RAlec114]

Should I bring a notebook?

 

[suz323]

If you're going to be shadowing for a longer than just a couple of days or weeks, I don't think it's necessary that you bring a notebook. Also about dress, wear closed-toed comfortable shoes. Closed-toe because of possible sharp objects, other things getting through and comfortable because you'll be standing around ALOT! unless its okay for you to sit and watch.

 

[RAlec114]

Thanks for the responses. I'm pretty inexperienced when it comes to dress code and preparing... 😛

solid polo (Not tucked in) + khakis + dress shoes

Is that fine? 😳

 

[321931]

Thanks for the responses. I'm pretty inexperienced when it comes to dress code and preparing... 😛

solid polo (Not tucked in) + khakis + dress shoes

Is that fine? 😳

Sounds good, but just to be on the safe side: bring dress pants/dress shirt/ etc etc in your backseat.

Go early and ask if this is ok with the dentist, if not, you can always change in the car to something more appropriate.

 

[RAlec114]

Sounds good, but just to be on the safe side: bring dress pants/dress shirt/ etc etc in your backseat.

Go early and ask if this is ok with the dentist, if not, you can always change in the car to something more appropriate.

Okay thanks for the advice! 🙂

 

[aelian]

No, no. I really, really don't think you should go shadowing wearing anything but scrubs. That is unless your dentist prefers that you wear that. But the majority of shadowers I know just wore scrubs. And I once went to my first shadowing dressed up and I felt like a jackass when my dentist gave me a pair of his scrubs. 🙁 This makes sense for a few reasons. One, you are going to be in a pretty congested room. You do not want the patient to feel awkward like you are a third party member. You want to feel like you are part of the team, not an outsider. Plus, some offices have regulations against allowing outsiders in. Also, a scrub is much more comfortable. Anyway, this is just from my experience. I say scrubs are suitable and probably preferred. At least where I am from. Call up your office. And make sure you are nice. Bake them some cookies eventually. Good for when your dentist eventually writes your LOR. Everyone loves cookies. Everyone.

 

[321931]

No, no. I really, really don't think you should go shadowing wearing anything but scrubs. That is unless your dentist prefers that you wear that. But the majority of shadowers I know just wore scrubs. And I once went to my first shadowing dressed up and I felt like a jackass when my dentist gave me a pair of his scrubs. 🙁 This makes sense for a few reasons. One, you are going to be in a pretty congested room. You do not want the patient to feel awkward like you are a third party member. You want to feel like you are part of the team, not an outsider. Plus, some offices have regulations against allowing outsiders in. Also, a scrub is much more comfortable. Anyway, this is just from my experience. I say scrubs are suitable and probably preferred. At least where I am from. Call up your office. And make sure you are nice. Bake them some cookies eventually. Good for when your dentist eventually writes your LOR. Everyone loves cookies. Everyone.

Donuts are good to =D hehe

 

[aelian]

Donuts are good to =D hehe

Dooonuts. *Drools* Okay, okay. Everyone likes doughnuts and cookies...except for kitten killers and diabetics. Just don't present your dentist with a sugary treat if they aren't allowed to have sugar. I've done that too before. 🙁

 

[SeattleRDH]

Dooonuts. *Drools* Okay, okay. Everyone likes doughnuts and cookies...except for kitten killers and diabetics. Just don't present your dentist with a sugary treat if they aren't allowed to have sugar. I've done that too before. 🙁

Most of the people who work in the office (the people who will be eating the goodies) are women so bring chocolate. Actually, I get pretty sick of all the chocolate, I wish someone would bring a fruit tray for once. We had a specialist that sent us a honey baked ham every Christmas. Free lunch for a week!

As for your dress, it really does make the patient more comfortable if you look like you work there. If everyone is wearing scrubs but you, you're going to stand out. Try to find the same colored scrubs as the staff, then you'll really blend in.

If you are going to go business casual tuck in your shirt. It may feel awkward but I NEVER see people going to business meetings with un-tucked shirts. Have you thought of wearing a lab coat?

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

Go naked

 

[stlouisboi2002]

Go naked

LOVE THIS RESPONSE!!!!

Well in my experience, I always go shadowing and end up volunteer assisting so I ALWAYS wear scrubs. I would check with the dentist and ask them first, never trust the front desk ppl!!! They set you up for failure 95% of the time....

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

😉 ^^^^ Agreed. Scrubs are comfortable and professional. You can't lose.

 

[stlouisboi2002]

😉 ^^^^ Agreed. Scrubs are comfortable and professional. You can't lose.

AND....

If you match colors with the other assistants and staff it will look like you work there too...It makes the patients feel more comfortable knowing that they arent going to be a TEST DUMMY😀 during the procedure because youre their looking like a straight NEWBIE with casual clothes on!!!! lol

 

[robpardee]

Honestly, this is no big deal, khakis and a nice polo would be perfectly fine. If you are unsure just call and ask.

 

[kkmaths90]

Like above said I wear scrubs and I end up assisting a dentist 😀 n its fun u dun get much bored when you are assisting also

 

[Near]

I just bought some scrubs from wall-mart, heh. The dentist I was shadowing didn't ask me to, but it was clear we were both getting tired of me or him introducing myself to the patient. Even business casual still made me seem like a random person in the room.