Finding dental shadowing can feel overwhelming — cold-calling offices, getting rejected, not knowing where to start. This guide gives you 5 proven methods to find shadowing, including email templates you can copy and send today.
Dental Now connects pre-dental students with verified dental practices that accept shadowing students. You can browse by city, see which practices are available, and request shadowing online — no cold calling required.
Best for: Students who want to find shadowing quickly without the awkwardness of cold-calling.
Your university's pre-dental or pre-health advisor likely has a list of local dentists who accept shadowing students. This is often the most overlooked resource because students don't realize advisors maintain these contacts.
Best for: Students at universities with strong pre-dental programs.
Before platforms like Dental Now existed, students had to cold-call or email dental offices one by one. It works, but it's slow, awkward, and has a high rejection rate. Most offices aren't set up to handle student requests — so you're competing with every other pre-dental student doing the same thing.
Why students are moving away from cold outreach:
The better approach: Use Dental Now to browse practices that already accept shadowing students. No cold calling, instant requests, and your hours are verified digitally. If a practice isn't on the platform yet, you can still invite them — and they get a streamlined way to manage student requests.
Every state has a dental society (e.g., Massachusetts Dental Society, California Dental Association). Many maintain lists of member dentists who volunteer for student education, including shadowing.
Community health centers and dental school clinics are often the most welcoming to shadowing students because education is part of their mission.
Your first shadowing visit sets the tone for the entire experience. Here's what experienced dental students recommend:
Your first shadowing session will feel awkward — that's normal. Here's what a typical day looks like:
The easiest way is to use Dental Now, which connects students with verified practices. You can also contact offices directly, ask your pre-dental advisor, check with your local dental society, or visit community health centers.
Contact the office by phone or email. Introduce yourself as a pre-dental student, explain you need shadowing hours for dental school, and ask if they accept students. Be professional, flexible, and offer to provide liability waivers if needed. Use the email template above.
Business casual or scrubs (ask the office). Closed-toe shoes required. No strong perfumes. Bring a notepad, safety glasses if you have them, and arrive early.
Yes — shadowing is specifically designed for students with no clinical experience. You observe only. Most dentists expect beginners and will explain procedures as they work.
Dental schools recommend 2-4 different practices across different specialties. This shows breadth of interest and gives you diverse material for your personal statement.
Browse verified practices accepting shadowing students:
Boston, MA New York, NY Los Angeles, CA Chicago, IL Houston, TX Philadelphia, PA San Francisco, CA Dallas, TX Atlanta, GA Miami, FL
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.
