Dental shadowing is going to a dentist and observing certain procedures, learning techniques and specific terms related to dentistry, as well as learning about the day-to-day life in a dentist office. This can also involve asking questions to the dentist or the assistant about practicing dentistry or about their path in the profession. The first step to shadowing is to find a dentist that is professional, knowledgeable, and can truly teach you about the field of dentistry.
Also, remember to be respectful about their time, be professional, and show the willingness to learn and shadow. One of the most important things to effective shadowing is to ask questions. Any time there is confusion about a procedure or anything else about dentistry, ask questions! There are no stupid questions so show your passion and curiosity through questions. This is a great way to gain more knowledge and to know whether you will truly enjoy practicing dentistry. Another important thing to remember is to keep a log of your shadowing hours so it is easier to keep track of them for applications. A helpful tip is to also take some notes every time you log the hours in about certain procedures or new information you learned that day. This helps remember some important information and gives an opportunity to refer back to those notes in the future. Additionally, never be hesitant to do certain tasks that the dentist or assistant may require since doing these is how you can gain true experience. Observing or doing certain tasks in the lab or setting up or cleaning up a room may help effectively understand these behind-the-scenes of the procedures as well. Finally, always greet patients in a welcoming manner and start conversations since one of the most important and rewarding aspects of this field is the interaction with people. Never hesitate to strike up a conversation with the patients since you can always learn from them as well!
by Aruja Patel
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