Volunteering in a dental office?

id like to get myself involved with dentistry before i apply to dental school. what types of work would a dentist have me perform if i were to vounteer at an office. obviously i couldnt assist him/her, seeing i dont have any prior experience, but what other types of work could i do?





id appreciate it if someone with this experience, be it an assistant or actual doctor, answer this question, but anyone will do. thanks!

Volunteering in a dental office?
I'll agree with emmalue. You really won't be able to DO anything clinical or related to clinical procedures. You are not OSHA-trained, you have not had your hepatitis vaccination and there are liability issues.





You would be able to watch, though. This sounds kind of lame, but after a week of visitation for 3-4 hours per day, you will have a better sense of what goes on in a dental office.





Now I'll disagree with emmalue. Frankly, I'd say that you would not gain very much by filing or dumping trash cans and you'd be wasting valuable time that could be spent observing and learning if this is the right career for you. Make it clear that you are not there for those purposes.
Reply:They'll probably have you assist with administrative duties. Typical office duties would include filing, setting up appointments, answering phones, etc.
Reply:I pondered your question for a while since I went to school a long time ago and became a dental assistant and worked in the field about one year afterwards and that work wasn't what I wanted to keep doing. In a large office there may be some paperwork you could do or possibly being the one to do the cleaning routine of the instruments used between patients. My advice, go talk with some dentists and see if they want to help you out with your request.
Reply:Our office frequently takes on unpaid job-shadow positions. The perfect candidate can fit into the clinical setting and know when to watch and when to back off.





Some offices are naturally teaching offices, where the doctors love to explain what they are doing while they work.





If you want to have such a position, I would urge you to talk about your willingness to do whatever is needed in the office - from emptying waste bins to setting up trays. An eager learner will be given good opportunities to do hands-on training.





Dress appropriately, watch your verbiage (none of the, "ooooh, bood! how gross!!), and show a willingness to work with the team. Interview with several offices and find one that is a good fit.
Reply:The best place to start is with your own dentist. Tell him of your plans to apply to dental school and ask for his help. He will probably be happy to allow you to come in and observe him at his work. Yes, since you don't have any experience you wouldn't be able to do really anything but you can gain a lot of knowledge by watching and listening. To observe for a few days will give you a good idea of what it's all about. You may be excited about your career choice or you may be thankful that you did some research before jumping in head over heels. I'm sure your dentist will give you insight into dentistry and be delighted to assist you in making your decision about joining this profession. Good luck and I hope you'll check with your dentist and enjoy every minute of your time there.
Reply:KRISTINA,


PROBABLY THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO CALL A DENTAL OFFICE AND SPEAK WITH THE OFFICE MANAGER. REALIZE THAT DENTAL OFFICES ARE NOT TRAINING GROUNDS FOR SOMEONE WALKING IN FROM THE STREET, BUT I THINK YOU SHOULD DECIDE WHAT IN DENTISTRY ATTRACTS YOU TO IT. THEN DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU LIKE, THEN RECEIVE THE TRAINING FOR THIS WHETHER IT'S ASSISTING, A HYGIENIST OR A DENTIST.THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS FOR WHAT THEY DO.


GOOD LUCK.