How to Shadow a Dentist: Step-by-Step Guide for Pre-Dental Students
Shadow from home, on your schedule. Virtual shadowing now available!
So… you want to be a dentist? 🦷
Great news — shadowing a dentist is one of the most exciting first steps you can take toward that dream.
Imagine this: You’re standing in the corner of a bright, modern dental office. You watch closely as a dentist preps for a procedure, calmly explaining each step. You hear the sound of the suction tube, the buzz of a handpiece, and most importantly—you see yourself there one day.
Shadowing isn’t just a checkbox on your application—it’s the spark that confirms, “Yes, this is what I want to do.”
Let’s walk you through exactly how to do it.
✅ Step 1: Understand Why Shadowing Matters
Before we get into logistics, let’s talk about why shadowing is so powerful.
Dental schools want to see that you’ve:
Confirmed your interest in dentistry through real experience
Observed multiple specialties, if possible (general, ortho, oral surgery, etc.)
Learned the patient experience from the chair-side view
Understood the day-to-day life of a dentist
Shadowing tells admissions committees that you’re not walking in blindly. You’ve seen it. You’ve felt it. You’re ready.
📞 Step 2: Start Reaching Out
Yes, this can feel awkward—but don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Here’s a proven method:
Make a list of dental offices near you (search Google Maps or your local dental society).
Call or email with a short, polite message.
“Hi, my name is [Your Name] and I’m a pre-dental student at [Your School]. I’m very passionate about pursuing dentistry and was wondering if Dr. [Dentist’s Name] might allow me to shadow them for a few hours to learn more about the field.”
Be professional and patient. Dentists are busy—but many love helping students!
💡 Pro Tip: Aim to contact at least 10 offices. Don’t be discouraged if a few don’t reply. Persistence pays off!
📅 Step 3: Be Prepared
Once a dentist says “yes” (yay!), be ready.
Bring:
A notebook
Clean business casual attire
A few questions you’d love to ask (like “Why did you choose dentistry?”)
Be:
On time
Respectful of privacy
Grateful (send a thank-you note afterward!)
This is your moment to learn and absorb. Soak up everything—from procedures to patient interactions to office dynamics.
🔁 Step 4: Shadow Multiple Dentists
While one shadowing experience is a great start, schools love to see variety.
Try to:
Shadow in different practice types (private practice, community clinic, academic center)
Observe different specialties (pediatrics, ortho, oral surgery, etc.)
Accumulate at least 50–100 hours total
Each new dentist offers a different perspective—and every hour adds value to your application and insight to your journey.
🧠 Step 5: Reflect and Record Your Experience
Don’t let it be a blur!
After each shadowing session:
Write down what you learned
Note memorable moments (a great patient interaction, a challenging procedure)
Reflect on how it made you feel
These reflections will make your personal statement, interviews, and even secondary essays 10x stronger.
🚀 Ready to Boost Your Dental School Application?
At Dental School Guide, we know that shadowing is just the beginning.
That’s why we offer virtual shadowing experiences—perfect for students who can’t find in-person opportunities or want to explore a variety of specialties from anywhere. You’ll learn from real procedures, narrated by practicing dentists, and gain valuable insights that strengthen your application.
Click here to start earning shadowing hours virtually!
We also help pre-dental students go from hopeful to accepted with:
🧠 Personal statement reviews that highlight your shadowing experience
🎓 1-on-1 coaching from current dental students and dentists
🧾 Application tools and insider tips designed specifically for pre-dental success
Whether you're just getting started or fine-tuning your application, we've got your back.
👉 Visit DentalSchoolGuide.com to explore our tools and take the next step toward dental school.
Your dental journey starts now—and you don’t have to do it alone.
