How to Get Dental Experience Before Dental School
How to Get Dental Experience Before Dental School
Dental school is a major commitment.
Before investing years of education in becoming a dentist, students should develop a realistic understanding of the profession.
Fortunately, there are several ways to obtain dental exposure before enrolling in dental school.
1. Shadow a Dentist
Shadowing is one of the most straightforward ways to observe dentistry.
A student follows a practicing dentist and observes the working environment, patient interactions and clinical procedures.
The experience can reveal aspects of dentistry that aren't obvious from websites or textbooks.
How does the dentist communicate with nervous patients?
How much of the day involves procedures?
How does the dentist work with assistants and hygienists?
What happens when the schedule falls behind?
These observations can help students determine whether their perception of dentistry matches reality.
2. Work in a Dental Office
Employment provides a different perspective.
A student working at a dental practice can see the operational side of dentistry: scheduling, patient communication, teamwork and the daily rhythm of a practice.
Not every dental-office position requires someone to perform clinical duties.
Administrative and reception positions can still provide meaningful exposure to the profession.
3. Consider Dental Assisting
Students wanting more direct involvement may investigate dental assisting.
Dental assistants work alongside dentists and other members of the dental team. Permitted duties vary by state and according to an individual's training and credentials.
Dental assisting should not be viewed merely as an admissions strategy.
It is its own career.
However, someone who genuinely wants to work in dentistry before pursuing additional education can gain substantial exposure to the professional environment.
4. Volunteer
Volunteer opportunities involving oral health may also provide useful exposure.
Depending on location and eligibility, students may find opportunities through community clinics, public-health initiatives, nonprofit organizations or educational programs.
Students must respect patient privacy and should never perform duties for which they aren't appropriately trained or authorized.
5. Join a Predental Organization
Clinical experience isn't the only way to learn about dentistry.
The American Student Dental Association offers predental membership to individuals pursuing dentistry as a career.
ASDA can introduce prospective students to issues affecting dental education and the profession.
Universities may also have local predental societies that organize speakers, dental-school visits, volunteering and other activities.
6. Attend Dental-School Events
Many dental schools hold admissions events, open houses, webinars or information sessions.
These events can help students understand prerequisites, admissions procedures and what individual programs seek in applicants.
The American Dental Education Association's GoDental resource is another useful starting point for researching dental education.
7. Talk to Dental Assistants
Prospective dentists understandably spend considerable time speaking with dentists.
They should also talk to the people who work alongside them.
Dental assistants can provide insight into the pace of the practice, patient behavior, teamwork and what dentists' working days look like from another perspective.
Dental hygienists and office managers can provide similarly useful perspectives.
How Much Dental Experience Do You Need?
There is no universal number applicable to every dental school.
Admissions expectations vary by institution, and students should verify the requirements of the schools they are considering.
Quality matters as well as quantity.
Spending time in a dental environment should help you understand the profession rather than merely allow you to accumulate hours.
Ask questions. Observe carefully. Pay attention to both the rewarding and difficult aspects of the job.
What If Dental Experience Changes Your Mind?
That's valuable too.
The purpose of gaining exposure before dental school isn't to confirm a decision you've already made at any cost.
It's to make a better-informed career decision.
You may discover that becoming a dentist is exactly what you want.
You may instead become interested in dental hygiene, dental assisting, dental technology or another healthcare occupation.
For students who decide they want to enter dentistry through dental assisting, NYSMDA provides dental assistant education in Queens, New York City.
Exploring the profession before making a major educational commitment can help you determine which part of the dental team is right for you.
