So you think you might want to be a dentist do you? Well, you're reading this post right now so I suppose you do! You probably already know that to go to dental school you need to have a certain degree of academic prowess, but being a dentist goes far beyond that. What does it really mean to be a dentist? Will I actually enjoy the profession? These are two very common questions that pre-dental students might think, and they're not alone.
Because it is so difficult to answer these questions, most dental schools will require that you have at least a certain minimum number of hours of shadowing to submit your application. You should also keep in mind that these minimum number of hours range from being unspecified to over 150. This requirement is two fold. Not only does it show the dental school that you're applying to that you are interested in and committed to the profession, but more importantly, it allows you to see what you're getting yourself into.
Dental school is no small undertaking. It takes many years to complete and often many more to pay for. If there is any perfect time to realize that dentistry isn't for you, it's right now, before it's too late and you're up to your eyeballs in debt. Additionally, I'm a firm believer that you should only do things that you love doing, if you aren't going to love dentistry, you should definitely not become a dentist. I also feel this is especially true in dentistry because, as a dentist, you are going to have to consistently and compassionately strive to deliver the best possible care to your patients: This is not going to be conducive to a profession you don't like.
Deciding where to start shadowing can be a little daunting. If you live in a more populated area such as a city, there can be literally hundreds of dental office to choose from (At the moment, I live in San Francisco and I can't walk more than two blocks without seeing a dental office). There are also many different dental specialties and even niche practices areas, making choosing where to start all the more difficult. However, I would recommend starting somewhere closer to home. Ask your dentist if you could shadow them, or if they know of anywhere that you could. This is often the best strategy because you already have a relationship with the dentist, thus easing you into your first shadowing experience. Additionally, I think beginning your shadowing with a general dentist is the best way to gain an overall appreciation for the profession.
Braces, perhaps the most apparent of all the dental specialties: Orthodontics
This is exactly what I did. At the time I was in the Air Force in Australia and lived and worked on base. I approached my regular dentist, explained that I'm interested in dentistry as a career and asked if I could shadow them. I found that they were more than happy to talk to me about the profession and then to schedule a regular time for me to shadow. I found that already having a rapport with the dentist made my first shadowing experience all the more positive. The dentist explained procedures and their thought processes to me in intimate detail from diagnosis to treatment. They also welcomed questions and encouraged me to think critically.
There are numerous tips and tricks to shadowing that can be found online but there is one that I feel is the most important. When you're shadowing in a dental office, you're likely going to be focused on the dentist. However, ensure that you take the time to talk to and know the other staff in the office. Not only will they help to make your experience more positive (the dentist rarely makes the schedule), but one day these people are going to be a key part of your team. Knowing their functions within the office is going to be an important part of your job. Finally, being a dentist is a very social profession. Knowing and building relationships with staff and patients is going to be crucial aspect to delivering quality, personable dental care. Therefore, perhaps above all, take this as an opportunity to work on your people skills, this is something that can't be taught in a classroom and, as a patient, I have no idea how good my dentist actually is at his or her job, only whether I like them or not.
Photos Courtesy of:
1) Deposit Photos
2) Wiseman and Skabelund Dentistry
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