6 answers
14
Questions
Asked
1399 views
If I want to become a dentist, what is the best way I can ask dentists if I can shadow at their offices ?
Freshman undergraduate student majoring in Biology
Login to comment
6 answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Ifra !
It's great that you already know what you want for your future career and dentistry is an awesome field to go into !
Instead of shadowing, I think I may have a better way for you to actually observe dentistry. If you shadowed a dentist, all you'd see would be a patient in a chair and a dentist stooped over. I think that there may be a better way for you to gain observation and learn about dentistry to verify if that is the field you really want to go into. Also, you actually self-shadow every time you go to the dentist, so I would direct attention to learning about actual information you'll need at dental school.
You're on the right track by majoring in Biology and taking anatomy and chemistry courses. Shadowing is for people who are not sure of which career they want and you seem sure that you have being a Dentist in your future, so shadowing wouldn't be of any help.
I would recommend that you Audit a dental class one day at New York University School of Dentistry. That means that you sit in back of the class and watch the lecture for that class or however many classes they allow you to audit. For general academic audit questions, you may contact Neyda Lopez (e-mail address not allowed on Career Village per alert) or call the colleges' admission office and they will direct your call or you can go in person to 433 First Avenue, Suite 125, to inquire which would be the quickest way to find out if you could audit a class.
Also try Columbia University College of Dental Medicine at (212) 305-6100, CUNY New York City College of Technology which has dental assistant classes, as well as The New York School for Medical & Dental Assistants in Long Island City, Queens. Just sitting in on the dental classes would give you the knowledge and idea of what the education will be like more targeted to dental.
How about watching the actual dental procedures up close in the mouth by watching You Tube videos ? I have left links to some for you below. This way you can see the in-mouth procedures which you would never be able to view in a shadowing situation.
For now, you also will do well to focus on your Biology Degree courses and do as much lab work, projects and even see if you get placed for an internship in your Junior and Senior year. It's fine that it's not dental focused right now. Aim for good grades now and a high GPA before Dental School. You'll learn everything for being a Dentist once you're enrolled in a Dental Program after obtaining your Bachelors Degree.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
INFORMATIVE PRESENTATIONAL VIDEOS OF DENTAL PROCEDURES/FILLING CAVATIES https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+dentists+fill+cavaties
TOOTH EXTRACTION SHOWN BY ILLUSTRATION https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+dentists+fill+cavaties
DENTAL PROCEDURES STEP BY STEP https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dental+procedures+stpe+by+step
HOW DENTISTS ADMINISTER ANASTHESIA https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+dentists+administer+anasthesia
It's great that you already know what you want for your future career and dentistry is an awesome field to go into !
Instead of shadowing, I think I may have a better way for you to actually observe dentistry. If you shadowed a dentist, all you'd see would be a patient in a chair and a dentist stooped over. I think that there may be a better way for you to gain observation and learn about dentistry to verify if that is the field you really want to go into. Also, you actually self-shadow every time you go to the dentist, so I would direct attention to learning about actual information you'll need at dental school.
You're on the right track by majoring in Biology and taking anatomy and chemistry courses. Shadowing is for people who are not sure of which career they want and you seem sure that you have being a Dentist in your future, so shadowing wouldn't be of any help.
I would recommend that you Audit a dental class one day at New York University School of Dentistry. That means that you sit in back of the class and watch the lecture for that class or however many classes they allow you to audit. For general academic audit questions, you may contact Neyda Lopez (e-mail address not allowed on Career Village per alert) or call the colleges' admission office and they will direct your call or you can go in person to 433 First Avenue, Suite 125, to inquire which would be the quickest way to find out if you could audit a class.
Also try Columbia University College of Dental Medicine at (212) 305-6100, CUNY New York City College of Technology which has dental assistant classes, as well as The New York School for Medical & Dental Assistants in Long Island City, Queens. Just sitting in on the dental classes would give you the knowledge and idea of what the education will be like more targeted to dental.
How about watching the actual dental procedures up close in the mouth by watching You Tube videos ? I have left links to some for you below. This way you can see the in-mouth procedures which you would never be able to view in a shadowing situation.
For now, you also will do well to focus on your Biology Degree courses and do as much lab work, projects and even see if you get placed for an internship in your Junior and Senior year. It's fine that it's not dental focused right now. Aim for good grades now and a high GPA before Dental School. You'll learn everything for being a Dentist once you're enrolled in a Dental Program after obtaining your Bachelors Degree.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much, Michelle! This is very helpful 💫
Ifra
You are very welcome, Ifra ! Much to my complete amazement, I found out that NYU requires 100 hours of shadowing time. I was wrong about this. Just can't see how one can learn anything watching a dentist unless you're standing on the side watching the dentist's hands and the patient's mouth. Have a great Shadowing experience !
Michelle M.
Updated
Prisca’s Answer
It is really nice when I come across younger people who are interested in the field of Dentistry. I'm a few months from being inducted into the profession. When I was in my 5th and 6th year, I usually went to the State Dental Clinic to observe how basic dental procedures are done, ranging from scaling and polishing to restorative procedures, and how did I do this? I sent an official message to the clinic, highlighting my interest in the field, and voila!! they responded. So you should also try and who knows... If you have a followup question, please feel free to reach out.
Good-luck and see you at the top champ!
Good-luck and see you at the top champ!
Thank you so much!! Best of luck in your studies!!
Ifra
Updated
Andrey’s Answer
Do you have a dentist you go to? This would be first place I would start as you already have a relationship with the dentist.
If this is not an option I would just simply pick few local offices and tell them you are considering dental school and need shadowing hours. 98% of dentist would love to have you there and let you shadow them.
Also to further expand your experience find some local volunteer hours at local non-profit dental clinic. This is a good way to get your foot in the door.
Best of luck, lmk if there is anything I can do for you!
If this is not an option I would just simply pick few local offices and tell them you are considering dental school and need shadowing hours. 98% of dentist would love to have you there and let you shadow them.
Also to further expand your experience find some local volunteer hours at local non-profit dental clinic. This is a good way to get your foot in the door.
Best of luck, lmk if there is anything I can do for you!
Thank You so much!!!!
Ifra
Updated
Srinivasa’s Answer
Hello Irfa,
just drop your CV and Interest in Front Desk of Dental Office. Call the office in monthly intervals.
All the best
Dr Pathagunti
Check Dental offices in Zip code
Ask for Sterilizing Assistant job if any or volunteer position
just drop your CV and Interest in Front Desk of Dental Office. Call the office in monthly intervals.
All the best
Dr Pathagunti
Srinivasa recommends the following next steps:
This was super helpful, thank you!
Ifra
Updated
Shai’s Answer
So much great advice already! As someone who has done this previously (and was a bit nervous to ask!), calling is perhaps the easiest option. Ask to speak with an office manager or practice manager, and they should be able to get you set up. You could also go in person-this may be a bit daunting, but it's a great way for the practice to know that you're serious about shadowing. Good luck!
Shai, thank you!
Ifra
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Shadowing for a career in dentistry is very important to do in person. It is actually a required for application to dental school. The best way to do this is to call or email the office and then make sure and follow up. Not all offices allow for this, so you may have to call several before you can find a few that will accommodate you. I'm a dentist in Florida and we have students come and shadow all the time. There is a lot you can see by shadowing and learn about the profession.
You rock! This advice is very helpful.
Ifra