Shadowing 101 Part 1: How to Find Dentists to Shadow

Hi everyone!

If you do not personally know a dentist, I’ve found that the best way to set up a shadowing session is by looking up a bunch of practices near you, and calling and asking them directly. It may be an awkward feeling for many students to seek out professional adults to ask for their help, but most are very willing to help us out. If you can get over the initial hump of nervousness and by being assertive, finding a dentist to shadow should be a fairly easy thing to do.

1. Cold call dental offices – It’s much more efficient than emailing, or by going up to the office in person.  Emails can get overlooked and forgotten about, but having a conversation can put you directly in the spotlight to be addressed. Most of the time, you will be talking to the receptionist rather than the dentist themself. Asking in person may seem more formal, but it will save you much time and energy to call when you’re going to be contacting several offices.

2. Do be personable – Dental offices are busy, and I’ve found that the best way to have the receptionist/dentist interested in helping you is when you really give them a sense of who you are. It ‘s standard to be friendly and polite, but if you give them a personable introduction, they will remember you and will be more inclined to accommodate to you. When calling, I usually introduce myself, tell them my year and what college I attend (woop, brownie points for attending UT!), and that I’m a pre-dental student hoping to gain some experience in dentistry (or “I’m applying to dental school soon”, something along those lines…). After introducing myself this way, the receptionist is generally happy to take down my number to follow-up after she’s spoken to the dentist.

3. Do be communicative – It’s best to be clear right off the bat with what you’re expecting from shadowing. Do you want to do a day-long session, or do you want to shadow for a month, a semester? Be sure to let the receptionist know this, so that you and the dentist will both be able to match your schedules together efficiently.

4. Don’t be afraid of rejection – Lastly, to reaffirm the fear that many have – you will be rejected – many, many times! It could be that that particular office already has one or two students for the semester, or that the dentist is simply not open to having a student shadowing. Perhaps they do not have many patients who come in on the days that you are available. Whatever the case, it will take persistence to call many offices until you find one that is willing to take you in, and one that will work with your schedule. Please don’t get discouraged! Most dentists are happy to let students shadow, so just be patient!

These ideas can also apply to other health-care professionals you’re interested in shadowing, not just dentists. Hope this post helps! J Look out for my next post, How to Make the Most of Your Time Shadowing!

- Judy Trinh