You need shadowing hours for your dental school application. Dental Now makes it easy to find practices, log hours, and get verified certificates — all for free.
Dental shadowing is clinical observation time spent with a licensed dentist. You watch real patient care — exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, and more — to gain firsthand exposure to the profession. Admissions committees at nearly every dental school require it.
Shadowing is different from volunteering or working as a dental assistant. You observe but do not perform clinical tasks. The goal is for you to confirm your interest in dentistry and demonstrate that commitment to admissions committees.
Dental school shadowing requirements vary widely. Some schools list a minimum (often 50 to 100 hours), while others recommend 200 or more hours for competitive applicants. A few programs have no strict minimum but expect meaningful clinical exposure.
There is no universal standard — each school sets its own expectation. Check the specific requirements for every program you plan to apply to. For a detailed breakdown, see our complete guide to shadowing hour requirements.
Browse verified dental practices by city and state. Each provider profile shows whether they accept shadowing students, so you never waste time cold-calling.
Record the date, duration, supervising dentist, and notes for each shadowing session. Your hours are stored securely and organized automatically.
Your supervising dentist reviews and confirms each session digitally. Verified hours carry more weight than self-reported totals on your application.
Generate a signed PDF certificate with the dentist's name, NPI number, total hours, and date range. Upload directly to AADSAS or attach to individual school applications.
Find shadowing opportunities near the dental schools you are applying to:
Ready to find shadowing near your school? Browse locations or read our guide to finding shadowing opportunities.
The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional, medical, or legal advice. Requirements and regulations vary by state and institution — always verify directly with the relevant school, licensing board, or accrediting body. Dental Now is a platform for connecting students with dental practices and does not guarantee admissions outcomes.
