How to Shadow Dentists - Q&A // LauraSmiles

Watch this video for my tips on how to shadow a dentist or dental hygienist! Shadowing is one of the most important steps in deciding whether or not you'd like to pursue a particular career. In this video I answer all of your questions about shadowing!
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[@LauraSmiles]

Thanks for sending in your questions! Here are the most popular ones that I answer in this video: What do you typically do when you shadow? Is shadowing important? How do you find shadowing opportunities? How do I ask to shadow? What are the shadowing requirements for pre-dental students? Is 300 hours too much? When should pre-dental students start shadowing? Does shadowing in high school matter for dental school? Can I shadow doctors and dentists at the same time to help choose the right path for me? What to bring shadowing? What should I wear? How long should you shadow in one day? How do I keep track of my shadowing hours? Do I still have to shadow if I work as a dental assistant? What questions should I ask the dentist I'm shadowing? How do you know when to ask your questions? How many dentists should I shadow? Should pre-dental students shadow general dentists or specialists? How to find different specialists to shadow? How to shadow during the pandemic? When you were shadowing, what were you most nervous about? What to absolutely avoid while shadowing? How long did you shadow before asking for a letter of rec? How to ask for a letter of rec? How to thank the dentists you shadowed? How can you make the most out of the experience?

[@ohnochoo8729]

Hi, once you log your shadow hours, do you just send it to the dental university for verification?

[@no9031]

I am so shy and this gives me so much anxiety. God helps me.

[@LauraSmiles]

Oh no! Which part gives you anxiety?

[@delinaberhane1963]

I can relate to you

[@talinespengler9395]

I'm a senior in high school and am going to shadow a dental hygenist in a couple of weeks and had no idea about what to do. This video helped me out so so so sooooo much. I literally have a whole sheet of notes I took from this video that I will be using. Again your information was so helpful I really apreciate it! :)

[@alexiajames1259]

Your literally living my goals😘

[@LauraSmiles]

stahppppp 😭 thank youuuu 🥰

[@jackhansmiles]

Definitely would of taken notes if I did it again. Without it I feel like I’m forgetting everything!

[@LauraSmiles]

It helps for sure! 😂

[@Joycethedentist]

Shadowing is def important! Great Q&A. My mom was a dentist but I shadowed a handful of other dentists as well. I wonder how many offices will have people shadowing now with COVID

[@LauraSmiles]

You're lucky! Yeah, I wonder how the shadowing will be nowadays

[@AlleEsor28]

I'm a high school student and I was planning on getting my shadowing hours done this summer but Ms. Rona said no :( I'm afraid to even ask to shadow now because of the Coronavirus situation and reopening regulations! Still, thank you for the very helpful video! My biggest fears are a) getting rejected by the dentist I ask b) gathering the courage to ask a dentist.

[@LauraSmiles]

It's definitely a tough time right now to shadow! Hopefully you can get some shadowing done by the end of summer! :)

[@benlee5039]

Im planning to ask shadowing my jr year of hs, but you can always just email them, then it doesnt really matter if they say no because you dont know them

[@AlleEsor28]

@@benlee5039 good points! also, funny to revisit this same comment 7 months later ahahaha. I've been shadowing in person since August 2020! So, it is possible to shadow during the pandemic yay :)

[@benlee5039]

@@AlleEsor28 Oh nice! Congrats, how's the experience so far?

[@AlleEsor28]

@@benlee5039 the experience has been incredible. the days I shadow are my favorite days of the week!

[@malangle7351]

Super happy I stumbled upon your channel. I have been Dental Assisting for 8 years and plan to begin school to start the process of becoming a dentist. I love your feedback and experience strength and hope. Thanks for vlogging consistently even though you are very busy in school! Very appreciative of your perspective

[@LauraSmiles]

WOW you've got so much experience that will help you be a great a dentist!!! So excited for you! Thanks so much for supporting my channel!

[@cheerleader3232]

I’ve worked as a dental assistant for 4 years and I am doing the same!! I just finished my AA degree and working towards my bachelors degree now :) Message me if you want to connect!

[@malangle7351]

@@LauraSmiles Thanks for responding and I sure hope so!

[@malangle7351]

@@cheerleader3232 That's awesome! Let's definitely connect. Unsure of how to DM on youtube

[@TheDentistryDiary]

This was so good and informative..shadowing seemed like yesterday but took me forever to get a placement of course it was worth it 😊🙌

[@LauraSmiles]

Thank you!! I know! Shadowing was forever ago for me! 😂

[@pliuzz3870]

Thank you so much for making this video! It was so helpful and answered basically all of my questions. I was hoping to get most of my shadowing hours done this summer to apply next cycle, but with the pandemic pushing my plans back hopefully I won't have to end up taking two gap years :/

[@LauraSmiles]

I’m so glad you found it helpful! Hopefully you can start shadowing soon!

[@valeskanagringa]

Thank you so much for your videos! You are my Professional inspiration PS: GIRL WHAT IS THIS SMILE?? you are gorgeous xx

[@LauraSmiles]

😭😭😭 omg I cry. Thank you so much!! 😘

[@jaime8812]

Omg I needed this video and I didn’t even know I needed it! I really want to start shadowing some pediatric dentists especially early on...but it’s hard to do now with everything going on because most offices around me still aren’t open 🤯

[@LauraSmiles]

YAY! So glad this video came at the right time for you! It's definitely hard to shadow right now but hopefully these tips come in handy soon!

[@blueaquos]

Thank you So So MUCH!!! Super helpful video breaking down the little known facts most don’t even realize we needed to know.

[@jennifercortez9562]

This video was just posted at a perfect timing I start shadowing next week 😁

[@LauraSmiles]

YAY! How convenient 😂😂

[@dentalrachel7279]

omg girl I did not know you were 5 2" LOL you look so tall on insta. I'd be towering over you at 5 7" HAHA

[@LauraSmiles]

HAHAHHA yeah girl it’s those angles 😂 wow I didn’t realize you were so tall!! I wish I had your height 😭

[@LilahXiong]

Do you have to be "ceritified" in order to be a dental assistant? Is that a thing? Loved the video btw!! So informational, thanks so much!

[@peachy4098]

Yes, I am pretty sure you have to since you are actually working with the tools right next to the doctor during an operation.

[@JenniferOkc-uo2hd]

Question; do they expect you to know stuff, like the basic things and tools? Are they going to ask you questions or would they just tell it to you? For example the tools to use and how to use it

[@peachy4098]

When shadowing you are just watching, you don't get to actually operate. And it really depends on the dentists, some dentists are more talkative and explain everything that they do, but some you just sit there and watch them. It is better to not touch tools at all unless you have permission.

[@JBRODUCTION]

very informative, good resource for students/pre-dents. my favorite part was actually the intro though can u do that dance longer next time lolololl

[@LauraSmiles]

lolol tiktok songs stuck in my head gotta dance it out

[@iamironman2963]

Hey! I watch your channel too.

[@abhiramkurup]

And u are the reason why I ended up taking dentistry and I never regret it 😄😄🥰

[@LauraSmiles]

THAT’S AWESOME!!! I’m so glad you decided on dentistry!! 🥰

[@sandimonteith9722]

I love and appreciate you soooooo much...always giving some good tips and sharing some really useful apps...God Bless ma g!!!

[@marcellfabio4768]

Wow, what a motivation video, cause i want to be a dentist to

[@abhiramkurup]

I did shadow a general dentist But now I wanted to shadow endodontists Also Laura is endodontics a improving speciality to work I really wanted to become a really good endodontists

[@LauraSmiles]

Endo’s a great specialty!!

[@abhiramkurup]

@@LauraSmiles Thank you sis U are a saviour I saw ur vids first due to the dilemma of choosing but I am glad I chose dentistry Stay safe and stay happy Peace out ❤

[@Xda_one]

Hi Laura, can you do a video about how to establish a trusting relationship with patients? I've always struggled with sparking up conversations with them because I have trouble keeping a conversation going. I understand some patients are shy or prefer not to have small talks, yet I still want to be able to make the patients comfortable. Sometimes I become awkward because I wouldn't know what else to say or how to respond hahaha

[@LauraSmiles]

Oooooo good video idea! I'll add it to the list! Thanks!

[@lindseymendoza419]

Are you going for general dentistry or are you planning on specializing in a specific area??? You are so inspiring, I love your videos and I can’t wait to be in dental school!!! ❤️

[@THomasJPeel]

Great video. Have a nice day and smile!

[@RainaOnTheCusp]

Love your videos Laura - great inspiration 😊

[@LauraSmiles]

Thank you!

[@numberone22459]

You have such perfect teeth!!😍

[@LauraSmiles]

Omg thank you! They’re definitely not perfect haha but thank you so much!!! 🥰

[@dentistnorah5188]

@@LauraSmiles perfect yes, the plastic ideal jaw maybe not😂

[@shriyajain8130]

I love your videos!! You're part of what persuaded me to become pre-dent!! Do you think it's worthwhile to wait to submit the AADSAS application until I have more shadowing hours? Because of COVID, I was not able to start shadowing until recently. Now I don't know if I should send in my application and just talk about my lack of shadowing hours in the question related to how coronavirus impacted my application or if I should wait a couple of weeks till I can get more hours :(

[@LauraSmiles]

THANK YOU!!! I love to hear that!! :) As long as you met the minimum shadowing requirements for the schools that you're applying to I would submit your AADSAS app (if everything else is done and ready to go). You could definitely talk about how COVID's impacted your ability to shadow more

[@MelloneeKecia]

Great q&a video

[@LauraSmiles]

Thank you!

[@courtneyphilemon674]

This was sooooooooo helpful... omg thank you so very much💜💋

[@cindyle6520]

Hi Laura! I don't know if you've done a video about this before but could you do a video about the process of applying for dental school and how a science GPA vs cumulative GPA is calculated?

[@LauraSmiles]

I do have a video about the application process! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmi9iIiumq2VrK8

[@jaelsantos8868]

YOURE ALWAYS SO HELPFUL!!!!! Thank youuu 😭😭😭

[@angelicadiaz8701]

I have question I am working dentist clinic as front desk and dentist assisting the doctor will that count as shadow opportunities. I am doing my undergraduate pre-dental

[@abigaillafleurr]

Thank you this was very informative! I didn’t know that as dental hygienist you needed shadowing hours too?!.

[@LauraSmiles]

Glad you enjoyed the content! It depends on the program but yes! I know some hygienists who has to shadow as a pre-req 😊

[@abigaillafleurr]

LauraSmiles well thank you! I’ll look into it

[@ashtonrichardson0885]

How do you prove that you've shadowed a certain amount of hours? Life, do you to receive a "receipt"?

[@Hanna-vc7ye]

I’m really excited and can’t wait! I got an opportunity to start shadowing this summer, and two of my friends will be there with me as well. Is there anything I should study in order for me to understand the procedures I will be shadowing?

[@Neelushka]

Hi Laura! Can you please tell how dental schools verify your shadowing hours? How can one prove it to them?

[@LauraSmiles]

Good questions! I don't believe they have a method - it's all self-reported

[@eryn155]

hello! i know this video is kind of old, but i was wondering if you could talk a little bit about how to bring up to your personal dentist that you are interested in shadowing them? i’ve had to find a new dentist since i moved to college and had some issues i needed to have fixed, so i’ve been into his office a few times. during my first visit he asked about what i was studying and what i wanted to go into, and i told him about what i thought i wanted to go into at the time, but i’ve recently taken an interest in a few other things, including possibly going to dental school. how would you suggest asking him about possibly shadowing him? thanks in advance!

[@ohnochoo8729]

I don't have a personal dentist, but is it possibel for some dentists to let me shadow even if I dont't know them?

[@gabinakhan818]

Hey Dr. Im foreigner and cleared part1 nbde and now preparing for nbde 2.is that right time for shadowing or no?

[@abbyabsol7]

What do you actually do when you shadow a dentist? Do you just follow the dentist around and observe? Or do you help the dentist under direct supervision like an intern?

[@linnetchio9200]

when you shadow, do you keep track of your shadowing hours with some type of paperwork?

[@CJKcozy]

hi! Thank you so much for this video, I just got my first response from a dentist I reached out to about shadowing! I've shadowed before in high school (im currently a college graduate now, pursing post-bacc in dental since I majored in a non-science) but I was wondering if there is anything I need to really know before shadowing? Should I educate myself on the dental instruments/procedures/etc. yet?

[@LauraSmiles]

You don't need to know before shadowing because you can ask the dentist questions! But it's always nice to know some background info about the procedures. I ended up just learning on the spot by asking questions :)

[@CJKcozy]

@@LauraSmiles Thank you so much! you have no idea how much your videos are helping and encouraging people like me!

[@LauraSmiles]

@@CJKcozy OMG!! THANK YOU SO MUCH! That really means a lot! Sometimes I wonder if the videos are worth making but comments like yours give me motivation! :)

[@lilianagarcia-dn2qq]

What subjects i need to take in the college to go dental school

[@LauraSmiles]

I have a video all about this. Enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/faqcqmqgdqikps0

[@rabiazafaar]

I love ❤️ ya u have really helped

[@LauraSmiles]

That's so great to hear! Thank you!

[@bugsbunny3047]

Hello!!! I am a Junior in High School and would really like to shadow but I feel like maybe it’s too late for me to start, not only because i’m a junior already but because summer is almost over. Also because of the coronavirus i’m afraid i will get turned down if i do ask, do you have any pieces of advice :(

[@peachy4098]

Junior in high school!!! That even close to being late. You can always start during the summer before your freshmen year in college. Honestly, just ask, if you get rejected call different dentistries, some are more than happy to have you shadow them.

[@parkergaines2675]

I love the video and advice! Out of curiosity, have you ever had a cavity?

[@LauraSmiles]

I haven't!

[@parkergaines2675]

@@LauraSmiles Awesome, good for you! :-)

[@rabiazafaar]

Is there a limit to shadow dentists 🦷 example like I could only shadow 2 dentists how many can u shadow.

[@LauraSmiles]

I answered this question in the video!

[@samantha7481]

I have question, do dentists let you carry around an IPad to joint down any notes ?

[@brianab2175]

Hi, in order to shadow, do you call or go into the office?

[@peachy4098]

It would be best if you go into their office. You can always start with asking your personal dentist since you already know them. It might be different since the pandemic but it never hurts to just call them. Try to call them at not-so-busy hours so they can actually consider.

[@cindyhernandez7558]

Are the scrubs truth to size ???

[@LauraSmiles]

They are for the most part! Some colors fit a little differently than others but FIGS has an awesome customer service team that takes care of you for easy exchanges! 🥰

[@ilinnichi]

What loupes and lights do you use?

[@LauraSmiles]

I use Surgitel 3.0 mag and Lumadent light!

[@joshuahanderson8294]

Can you talk about the school you go to and your personal recommendations for schools? You don't have to make a video you can just comment it. But I mean like😗👉🏽👈🏽......a video is nice too😂😂

[@LauraSmiles]

I've got a video for how to choose a dental school: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4mqaIqolK6BiLs

[@cair4742]

Are newly graduating dentist struggling financially?

[@lioreubm677]

What was your gpa in undergrad if you don't mind?

[@a.h.s75]

What's the meaning of shadow here?!

[@AlleEsor28]

it basically means standing over a dentist's shoulder and watching them complete treatments!

[@a.h.s75]

@@AlleEsor28 thank you 🙏

[@ahmadassi9825]

I just wanted to complete 100 comments (it was 99)

[@marcellfabio4768]

Wow, what a motivation video, cause i want to be a dentist to