How To Shadow Dentists || Brittany Goes to Dental School

It's extremely important to shadow dentists in order to find out if dentistry is the right career path for you...Watch this video to find out more about how to shadow dentists! I talk about how to ask dentists to shadow them, if it's better to shadow a general dentist or specialist, what questions to ask your dentist while shadowing, and what I personally learned from shadowing dentists.
I will make more dental school vlog style videos next week since I'm still on break at the moment! Have a wonderful rest of 2016 and a Happy New Year! Keep a look out for my next videos by subscribing to my channel :)
If you have any questions, feel free to comment on any video or send me a private message on KZbin!
If you like these kinds of videos, please like and subscribe! I upload videos every week!
HOW TO STUDY FOR THE DAT:
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HOW I STUDY FOR FINALS IN DENTAL SCHOOL:
• How I Study For Finals...
HOW TO FOCUS IN DENTAL SCHOOL:
• How to Focus When Stud...
WHAT TO DO IN HIGH SCHOOL IF YOU WANT TO GO TO DENTAL SCHOOL:
• What to do in High Sch...
UNDERGRAD MAJORS AND CLASSES IF YOU WANT TO GO TO DENTAL SCHOOL:
• Undergrad Majors and C...
DAY IN A LIFE OF A FIRST YEAR DENTAL STUDENT:
• Day in the Life of a F...
• Sunday Funday - Day in...
• How to Focus When Stud...
DENTAL SCHOOL LIFE PLAYLIST:
• DENTAL STUDENT LIFE
PRE-DENTAL TIPS PLAYLIST:
• What to do in High Sch...
MUSIC:
The Temperature of the Air on the Bow of the Kaleetan by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
Source: chriszabriskie....
Artist: chriszabriskie....

[@silkyflow6819]

Im still shy to talk to strangers. The fear of ppl not liking me because i might not be cool. Can u make a video to help me improve myself to overcome this and be better to talk to starngers. Thank u so much in making theses videos. They help me alot and learn as i grow into the industry.

[@donovanmyers4451]

It would be awesome to see a video on how to develop communication skills with patients if your shy around people your not familiar with. Great videos too

[@justinaminutevlogs]

Seriously in love with all of your videos, Brittany! :) Could you make a video on your personal statement/tips for writing one? Also, maybe a video on dental school interviews -- what to wear, common questions, best ways to answer?

[@brittanywatu4835]

Yes! Will do :) Thank you for your video suggestions!

[@hafeezmaryam60]

Can you please make a video about communication skills? Awesome vids btw

[@swethanimmagadda3395]

yes please!

[@yasminsahagun5401]

I'm shadowing tomorrow and I wasn't very prepared but this eases my nerves a bit. Super helpful, Thank you!

[@brittanywatu4835]

That's awesome! How did your shadowing experience go?

[@jordanjenkins4989]

This literally could not have come at a more perfect time. I was planning on going to ask my dentist this week and now feel a lot more confident in doing so. Thank you!! I'm a first year undergrad so all of these videos are helping so much and get me so excited!

[@brittanywatu4835]

+Jordan Jenkins thank you! Good luck to you 😄

[@NikkiChan7]

Yes, please make a video regarding that subject! Would greatly appreciate it! Also what type of volunteer work or extracurricular activities do you think helped you prepare for the application process.

[@brittanywatu4835]

Thank you for the video suggestions :)

[@nikkibuckingham7962]

Hi! Your Chanel makes me happy. Ive been interested in dental hygiene since I was little. I am now a freshman in college taking my general studies. I've talked to my dentist and dental hygienist for a few years now. They both know I'm interested in the profession. I am so glad I found your channel. Your videos help me know what's yet to come in the next few years of my college journey. I am a socially awkward person when it comes to talking to strangers. I was wondering if maybe you could do a video on how you over came your fear of talking to people. I love to talk to my friends and family but when it comes to talking to higher level I guess people it gets tough. Thank you so much for all the videos you've done. I wish you the best in your career!!

[@brittanywatu4835]

Yes of course! Good luck to you too :)

[@laylaad]

going back and watching this as i'm getting ready to hopefully start shadowing!! ahh i'm so nervous

[@brittanywatu4835]

Good luck! It's so exciting!

[@gloriaw7066]

Can you please make a video about how you improve your communication skills? 🙏 All your videos are super helpful.

[@luamberhane9873]

It would be great if you could do a video talking about communication skills!

[@beokey8760]

Hey! Please do make the communication video. And I really like your channel thanks for taking the time to share your experience with others.

[@deyagarcia3662]

I want to shadow you already!! Haha

[@brittanywatu4835]

You're going to have to wait 3 more years haha :)

[@adeelazeez6480]

Hello Brittney! Love all you videos! I am actually a sophomore in college. I was wondering if you could make a video on ways you think it would be beneficial to get into dental school if someone has a lower gpa/failed a class. I think all dental students understand the severity of how much GPA and DAT scores weigh on an applicant. If someone did bad on a class or 2, should they reconsider the field or no?

[@brittanywatu4835]

It definitely depends on the circumstance. I'm not part of any admissions committee so I can't give an exact answer but maybe I'll make a video on that topic later on.

[@darkthistle24]

yes on the communications skills video

[@laylaad]

Such a great video!! I'm in high school now , and I would love to shadow but I'm worried they'll think I'm too young? I've heard people say that they don't like anyone under 18 or something. Also what / how did you initially ask to shadow them??

[@brittanywatu4835]

I think high school is a great time to start shadowing! You could call in or I think the best way is to come in person and ask. If you are worried that they will think you are too young, act professionally and be polite. Hope this helps!

[@laylaad]

Brittany Watu great!! Thank you 😊

[@krinapatel7311]

Hey. So is it necessary to shadow dentists in high school ? Your videos really help btw

[@brittanywatu4835]

+Krina Patel not necessary. You can start in college. Thanks for watching!

[@nair.bakunawa]

this is what i needed

[@miguelr7216]

hi brittany! so i took like 5 state tests last week and have been stressing about them like crazy since i dont know how i did. do u happen to know how seriously state test scores are taken by colleges?

[@brittanywatu4835]

What do you mean by state tests? Like the ones that all students in high school are required to take each grade level?

[@miguelr7216]

yes

[@brittanywatu4835]

+miguel s dental schools look at your transcripts from undergraduate/college/university. Nothing in high school.

[@brittanywatu4835]

+miguel s oh sorry I read that wrong. No I don't think colleges look at that very much. More like SAT/ACT and gpa in high school

[@nickstorch9581]

Thanks this was helpful.

[@brittanywatu4835]

Glad it was helpful!

[@marcoa.jimenez3827]

What year of undergrad should I start shadowing? Would it be better to start off my first year of college? Also, is research a necessary component to a dental school app?

[@flowerbabyliz]

What do you wear when you shadow? Do you eat lunch with them or do they decide when shadowing is over?

[@atj1998]

I am shadowing a Dentist right now. Since I'm not getting a paycheck how do I show the dental school I have shadowed these many hours? How can I prove it?

[@brittanywatu4835]

If you are going to apply to dental school using the ADEA AADSAS, all you need to do is put down the number of hours you shadow. They usually don't check for proof but in case they do, I think the best thing to do is to have like a timesheet that has the log of all your hours and have your dentist sign it/ write a letter for proof.

[@amandabekka6636]

Hey Brittany! how do you document your shadowing and volunteer hours?

[@brittanywatu4835]

Hi Amanda, usually you are to keep track of your own hours and then submit them in your dental school application. However, if you want to be safe, you can always speak to your dentist that you are shadowing and then get them to sign your paper that has your hours for them to confirm them.

[@miriamsoares5891]

How do you shadow a dentist when your still in High school? Do you need to get a special paper to apply or do you simply ask to shadow them?

[@brittanywatu4835]

It would be nice to shadow in high school but probably more important in college. You don't need a special paper, just ask your dentist. :)

[@bucky_]

I am interested in dentistry but I haven’t shadowed any dentists yet in high school. I’m almost done with my senior year of high school so is it too late to shadow dentists?

[@brittanywatu4835]

Not too late! You can also shadow during college too.

[@cardiacmyxoma4073]

What kind of questions would I ask DURING a procedure? (since I don't yet know anything about teeth)

[@brittanywatu4835]

Before the dentist starts the procedure, ask the dentist if they can narrate what they are doing as they go along. If they can't do that, ask after the procedure. It can get distracting for the dentist if questions are asked during the procedure.

[@kikifresa334]

Would work as a dental assistant count as shadowing a dentist.

[@brittanywatu4835]

I'm actually not sure about that. In the ADEA AADSAS application there's a section for "Dentistry/Shadowing Experience" and "Research/Work Experience". I'll ask around and get back to you!

[@CDCgamingHD]

Hey Brittany, did you do an undergrad course and apply grad entry dentistry? If so do you think biomedical science degree would be best before going into grad dentistry?

[@bgates275]

I'm a bit confused by your question. From what I gather, the entry program into dentistry is the DDS, which is a professional undergraduate program, although you still need a first undergraduate degree to be accepted. Graduate school dentistry is the specialties or research, completed after the DDS.

[@CDCgamingHD]

John Smith hey mate I thought you could just jump straight into dentistry from year 12 studies? (obviously require a very high score)

[@brittanywatu4835]

+Jbatts not in the US. After high school, you go get an undergrad degree and then go into dental school. Or, after getting an undergrad degree, you can go to grad school to get a masters, and then go into dental school.

[@CDCgamingHD]

Brittany Watu thanks for your response. Sounds great however is that what you did? I still have 2 years left of undergrad biomed science so that would turn into a 7 year course if I do dentistry (3+4) not even including masters. You seem young and already in dentistry? Just wondering the path you took, thanks :)

[@brittanywatu4835]

After I finished high school, I went to undergrad, graduated in Spring of 2016 and then went straight to dental school in the Fall of 2016!

[@Tingling10]

Although I am years late, but can you shadow the same dentist over and over again, or is there a limited shadowing hours per a dentist? Since there isn’t as many dentistry clinics near me. There are probably five clinics near me, but only one is my usual dentist clinic that I go to, and the rest are like stranger clinics. It also feels weird following somebody too.

[@brittanywatu4835]

You can shadow the same dentist. 😎 I shadowed two because I wanted to see how different dentists worked!

[@Tingling10]

Brittany Watu Ok! Thanks! :)

[@Tingling10]

Brittany Watu I am also kind of freaked out because I am an upcoming college freshman, so I am super worried if it is too late. I ponder how long is one visit just so I could get more than enough days to shadow and enough hours for dental schools.

[@alexissanders3044]

Could a recommendation later come from specialists like orthodontist?

[@brittanywatu4835]

Yes

[@matomemaenetsha3109]

Awesome

[@karnik3672]

Hey Brittany what year did you ask to shadow your dentist in high school

[@brittanywatu4835]

Junior year and Senior year summer and winter breaks!

[@atj1998]

How many hours of shadowing did you have? what's a good amount?

[@brittanywatu4835]

I can't remember off the top of my head but 100+ hours. It depends on the dental school what the minimum shadowing requirement is. I just googled two schools and one had 40 hours whereas the other had 50 minimum hours. Of course, the more hours the better. It shows admissions that you are serious about dentistry and you want to know more about it.

[@atj1998]

Thanks a lot!!

[@jennifercortez9562]

would you recommend to shadow before dental school?

[@brittanywatu4835]

Absolutely. It is a requirement to have shadowing hours!

[@rishisolanki783]

@@brittanywatu4835 I am a dental assistant for a general dentist right now and I will be applying for dental school in exactly a year. Should I still shadow specialists and get a letter of rec from them or my doc.

[@raylight4626]

I am shadowing a dentist on Monday however i have no idea what to wear help !!! please

[@brittanywatu4835]

I'm so late... Sorry! What did you end up wearing?

[@raylight4626]

@@brittanywatu4835 First day I wore black jeans and a white t-shirt with a little message saying "here we go.. " some comfy sneakers and a light coat... Then I found out they didn't really mind what I wear as long as it was comfy and no hoodies... And thank you for this video it really helped.

[@brittanywatu4835]

Hahahah what a cute shirt!

[@rial1568]

:)♡

[@brittanywatu4835]

:D

[@mike51707]

What's the name of the song in the background? 😋

[@brittanywatu4835]

+Michael Lopez I put the name at the bottom of the description box!

[@mike51707]

Right! Thanks!

[@lisamatheson8115]

what age or year should I start shadowing? I'm 15 year 11

[@brittanywatu4835]

+Lisa M4the3on2 high school age is fine.

[@lisamatheson8115]

Brittany Watu for about how long?

[@brittanywatu4835]

As much as you can that fits your schedule.

[@risingstars3478]

Lisa Matheson how did your gcse’s go?

[@dominiqueyanez8087]

do you wanna be a dentist or orthodontist or something other ?

[@brittanywatu4835]

+Dominique Yanez not sure yet, I'm only finishing up my first year of dental school so I haven't been exposed to the specialties yet.