Finding a dentist to shadow
05:15 PM | Dec 17,2015
Shadowing is what confirmed my desire to pursue dentistry as well. I had the privilege of shadowing my own dentist, which I felt was a great experience. I have been going to this dentist for many years, and it was a very easy connection to be made, being the most natural. When shadowing, my dentist took the time to explain procedures to me that I had not yet understood, but had a great interest to learn. I started to understand the value in patient communication, as well as practice management.
I also had the opportunity to shadow various residency programs at the nearest dental school, which was Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine. While there, I shadowed in the GPR, orthodontic, periodontics, and pediatric dental residencies, as well as the fourth year clinic. I found shadowing at Stony Brook to be very helpful in different ways than what I saw in private practice. Being that these were residents and students, I was able to ask them further details about their pre-dental and dental school experience. I received numerous tips on studying for the DAT, writing my personal statement, and the application and interview process.
Even though I am already in dental school now, I still believe it is very important to shadow older dental students and dentists in private practice. With every experience, I learn more and more regarding various aspects of dentistry that I would not have thought about otherwise. My shadowing experiences have been invaluable, and I plan to continue to do this to expand my knowledge outside of what I am directly learning in dental school.