PDS AT UCSC SHADOWING PROGRAM
Our goal for Pre-Dental Society's shadowing program is to give students the chance to further expose themselves to the field of Dentistry. Our program has been ongoing for many years, allowing students to connect with our Shadowing Coordinator to intern available dentists in the local area for a short period of time. With some time spent with a dentist, PDS at UCSC hope it will give students the confidence and experience to go out on their own and find other opportunities to heighten their knowledge of the Dental field!
TIPS TO EXPERIENCE SHADOWING
UCSC Pre-Dental Society's Shadowing Coordinator will reference the member to a dentist around the Santa Cruz area throughout the academic school year! Here are some tips to continue shadowing back home for the summer or during the breaks:
- Research dentists around your area that catch your interest or if its your family dentist
- Getting to know some background of the doctor will give you a better understanding of what they do and what to expect
- Write a cover letter on why you want to shadow them and give a brief summary of yourself
- Revise your resume to look professional
- Go to the Dental Office in person and dress business casual (you can call the office but going in person will show how dedicated you are).
- Recommended time: When they open or early in the morning (not that many patients will come in during this time and you may have a chance to speak with the doctor)
- Ask the front desk if there are any shadowing or interning opportunities there and times when the doctor is free.
- If the doctor is busy, leave your cover letter and resume (paper-clipped) with the receptionist and ask for contact information for the doctor
- Right after, send an email to the doctor stating that you went on this time and date and are interested in shadowing them. Attach the digital version of your cover letter and resume at the end of the email and thank them for their time (or) call and leave a voicemail ending with contact information to get back to you.
- Attach any contact information of yourself so that they can get back to you
- GOOD LUCK PRE-DENT SLUGS!!
"I started shadowing Dr. Tran in January of this year. I learned so much in the six months I was there. Not only did I see fillings, crowns, and other procedures hands on, I also learned about the business side of dentistry and about patient care. Shadowing Dr. Tran was a wonderful experience. She was very friendly and open to any questions I had about her practice, the procedures I saw, and even gave plenty of advice about undergrad and dental school. I highly recommend shadowing a dentist because they've been through the obstacles we are facing and will face and it's comforting to have a mentor with those years of experience behind them. My experience will influence my future shadowing experiences by giving me comfort and the courage to branch out to other parts of dentistry. I was really nervous about my first shadowing opportunity, but after Dr. Tran I saw that there was nothing to be nervous about and that dentists are more than willing to share their knowledge and help out pre-dent students. She also encouraged that I look into shadowing a dentist in a clinic or a specialization because they're all so different and a whole different experience in itself, so that's what I'll probably do next!"
- '17-'18 Co- President Wendy Hurwit, 4th year
- '17-'18 Co- President Wendy Hurwit, 4th year
