WHICH DENTIST SHOULD I SHADOW?
Shadowing is a HUGE component of the dental school application for two reasons: the chance to decide it you really want to pursue dentistry, and a chance to network. Choosing the right people to shadow can really help you improve your competitiveness as an applicant.
There are three ways you can approach shadowing:
I shadowed quite a few people (I believe 6 or 7) to determine who was the best fit for me. This “best fit” is based on how well your personalities complement one another, if you’re interested enough in what they practice that you can remain enthusiastic on Shadow Days, and well you can identify with them as a role model.
Each of these approaches is great! No matter the approach you take, keep in mind the revolving question: Can I picture myself doing this for the next 40 years?
During your shadowing experiences, venture to ask the dentist the some of the following questions (trust me, they’ll be HAPPY to share their opinions with you):
There are three ways you can approach shadowing:
- Choose a dentist who has become your professional mentor over a significant period of time
- Base your decision on the type(s) of fields that most interest you
- The strategic move: Shadow someone who has ties to the Admissions Committee
I shadowed quite a few people (I believe 6 or 7) to determine who was the best fit for me. This “best fit” is based on how well your personalities complement one another, if you’re interested enough in what they practice that you can remain enthusiastic on Shadow Days, and well you can identify with them as a role model.
Each of these approaches is great! No matter the approach you take, keep in mind the revolving question: Can I picture myself doing this for the next 40 years?
During your shadowing experiences, venture to ask the dentist the some of the following questions (trust me, they’ll be HAPPY to share their opinions with you):
- What inspired you to pursue dentistry?
- What is the most challenging/rewarding parts of your day?
- How has dentistry affected your personal life?
- Why would you recommend dentistry to pre-dental students?
- If you hadn’t pursued dentistry, what would you have done?
Approach 1: The dentist you're familiar with
Approach 1: The Dentist You’re Familiar With
They are the dentists that you have known for a long time--the ones that might have been your personal dentists and (maybe) inspired you to follow a similar path. The ones you admire and respect because you were able to build both a patient-provider AND a student-mentor relationship. This is a great person to shadow for a few reasons:
They are the dentists that you have known for a long time--the ones that might have been your personal dentists and (maybe) inspired you to follow a similar path. The ones you admire and respect because you were able to build both a patient-provider AND a student-mentor relationship. This is a great person to shadow for a few reasons:
- They will give you an honest opinion about dentistry
- You can ask questions about procedures and the field without the fear of sounding dumb
- You’re adding to your relationship by seeking advice from them (this is a HUGE compliment)
- When it comes time for a letter of recommendation, they’ll be able to add some notes about your character because they know that kind of stuff about you
Approach 2: the speciality you're interested in
Approach 2: The Field You’re Most Interested In
So, let’s pretend that you are new to the dental world and have no preexisting connections (been there!). That’s totally alright. There is a place for you out there in the shadowing world, too!
I have always loved being around children and the special needs population. This combination is perfect because pediatric dentist have traditionally treated special needs patients. If I was going to spend several hours craning over shoulders to see what the dentist was doing, I wanted to be surrounded by children, enjoying the kinds of patients I most loved being around.
There are currently nine specialities that are recognized by the ADA (American Dental Association):
So, if you find yourself especially interested in root canals or orthodontics, Google the local providers in your area and contact their office (LINK)
Remember, you can always (and preferably) shadow more than one speciality! In fact, this will show the Admissions Committee that you are interested in exploring dentistry and that you are intrigued by all that it has to offer!
So, let’s pretend that you are new to the dental world and have no preexisting connections (been there!). That’s totally alright. There is a place for you out there in the shadowing world, too!
I have always loved being around children and the special needs population. This combination is perfect because pediatric dentist have traditionally treated special needs patients. If I was going to spend several hours craning over shoulders to see what the dentist was doing, I wanted to be surrounded by children, enjoying the kinds of patients I most loved being around.
There are currently nine specialities that are recognized by the ADA (American Dental Association):
- Dental public health
- Endodontics
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
- Pediatric dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
So, if you find yourself especially interested in root canals or orthodontics, Google the local providers in your area and contact their office (LINK)
Remember, you can always (and preferably) shadow more than one speciality! In fact, this will show the Admissions Committee that you are interested in exploring dentistry and that you are intrigued by all that it has to offer!
approach 3: shadowing someone on the admissions COMMITTEE
This is my FAVORITE and most useful tip in this post, maybe in the entire series. Business is built on connections, and those connections take the form of networking.
Warning: Keep in mind that you should definitely take the opportunity to shadow as many dentist as possible for two reasons:
That said…
Networking is CRUCIAL to getting into your Dream School. Everyone applying has an awesome GPA, high DAT scores, and has volunteered for days. So, now it’s about going that extra mile to make sure you’re ahead of the game before Interview Day.
Think of it this way, say you really impress Dentist A when you're shadowing, and he knows you’re applying to School 1. Well, Dentist A might mention you to Dentist B, who just happens to be on the Board of Admissions of School 1. See what I mean? The more strong and professional connections you build, the better off you’ll be when it comes time for the Letter of Recommendation and Interview Day.
To determine who is on the board of admissions of your Dream School, you’ll have to do a bit of searching. Spend the time to check out:
2. The Faculty and Staff who work in the clinic
These individuals might be Chair members (Big Dogs at the school) and are worth a shot at contacting. They might not have a shadowing opportunity, but it’s worth a try.
3. The Admissions Office
Does the Assistant Dean practice dentistry? Maybe she had an office before accepting her new position? Find that out and see if you can shadow with an old colleague. When it comes time to ask for a letter, she’ll recognize the name of her former co-providers.
How do I know this inside tip? Because I DID it! I was fortunate enough to meet a dentist was on the Board of Admissions. After a few hours of shadowing him, I felt myself viewing him as a mentor, both in the dental and business worlds. I enjoyed watching his procedures. He was excited for my Shadow Days, and I made sure to return his enthusiasm to teach me with an eagerness to learn from him. Fortunately, this dentist fell into all three of my categories.
Building a personal connection with him helped me behind the scenes. Weeks before I went in for the interview, he had (presumably) already been spreading my name amongst other interviewers and conveying me in a positive light.
On Interview Day, he greeted me in the lobby and introduced me to his colleagues (the other interviewers). I was ahead of the game because I made an effort to put in the time and play the game the smart way. Remember, it’s important to be classy and strategic at all times.
Shadowing is about learning why you want to be a dentist (for all the right reasons!) and pursuing your passion.
Play the game like it’s a business and you’ll reap the rewards later. Build strong and meaningful relationships to put your best foot forward. It’s okay not to shadow someone on the Admissions Committee long term, but at least get to know a few of them!
I hope this was helpful. Shadowing is SO important, and I hope I was able to answer many of the questions/ concerns you might have about the process. If you have any more topics you’d like for me to address, please let me know and I’ll try my best to write about them!
Warning: Keep in mind that you should definitely take the opportunity to shadow as many dentist as possible for two reasons:
- You’ll gain a fuller appreciation of dentistry
- You’ll build a network of dentist that know you and can vouch for you come time for the letter of recommendation or Interview Day.
That said…
Networking is CRUCIAL to getting into your Dream School. Everyone applying has an awesome GPA, high DAT scores, and has volunteered for days. So, now it’s about going that extra mile to make sure you’re ahead of the game before Interview Day.
Think of it this way, say you really impress Dentist A when you're shadowing, and he knows you’re applying to School 1. Well, Dentist A might mention you to Dentist B, who just happens to be on the Board of Admissions of School 1. See what I mean? The more strong and professional connections you build, the better off you’ll be when it comes time for the Letter of Recommendation and Interview Day.
To determine who is on the board of admissions of your Dream School, you’ll have to do a bit of searching. Spend the time to check out:
- Professors who teach at the school
2. The Faculty and Staff who work in the clinic
These individuals might be Chair members (Big Dogs at the school) and are worth a shot at contacting. They might not have a shadowing opportunity, but it’s worth a try.
3. The Admissions Office
Does the Assistant Dean practice dentistry? Maybe she had an office before accepting her new position? Find that out and see if you can shadow with an old colleague. When it comes time to ask for a letter, she’ll recognize the name of her former co-providers.
How do I know this inside tip? Because I DID it! I was fortunate enough to meet a dentist was on the Board of Admissions. After a few hours of shadowing him, I felt myself viewing him as a mentor, both in the dental and business worlds. I enjoyed watching his procedures. He was excited for my Shadow Days, and I made sure to return his enthusiasm to teach me with an eagerness to learn from him. Fortunately, this dentist fell into all three of my categories.
Building a personal connection with him helped me behind the scenes. Weeks before I went in for the interview, he had (presumably) already been spreading my name amongst other interviewers and conveying me in a positive light.
On Interview Day, he greeted me in the lobby and introduced me to his colleagues (the other interviewers). I was ahead of the game because I made an effort to put in the time and play the game the smart way. Remember, it’s important to be classy and strategic at all times.
Shadowing is about learning why you want to be a dentist (for all the right reasons!) and pursuing your passion.
Play the game like it’s a business and you’ll reap the rewards later. Build strong and meaningful relationships to put your best foot forward. It’s okay not to shadow someone on the Admissions Committee long term, but at least get to know a few of them!
I hope this was helpful. Shadowing is SO important, and I hope I was able to answer many of the questions/ concerns you might have about the process. If you have any more topics you’d like for me to address, please let me know and I’ll try my best to write about them!
You figured out who to shadow? Awesome! Check out my articles
What to Wear on Shadowing Days and How to Ask a Dentist If You Can Shadow Them!
What to Wear on Shadowing Days and How to Ask a Dentist If You Can Shadow Them!