<p>hi. </p>
<p>i just got back from my first shadowing experience. im not sure if my shadowing experience was 'typical' or not, because it wasn't what i expected (and i still want to pursue a dental profession despite this experience)</p>
<p>the dentist didn't acknowledge me once (as in "hi, hello, glad you're here" or even just a smile...) i was pretty much invisible. so occasionally, i would ask questions related to what he was doing. i didn't ask stupid questions or questions just to strike up a conversation, but questions with substance. he'd just answer the question with a brief statement and continue working. i wanted to ask him questions about what got him into dentistry, how long he had been in the profession, or about his practice, but it felt like there was a brick wall in the room.</p>
<p>he wasn't a quiet guy, because he was well-versed in making small talk with his patients. i know thats his job.. but something just didn't feel right...</p>
<p>however- i am still very thankful for the experience. the nurses were super nice. they showed me around the office, enthusiastically answered any of my questions, and explained their dental procedures/equipment. i was able to gain a greater appreciation of the profession by observation, but there was nothing special about this particular visit to the dentist. i am just as eager to become a dentist, but his lackadaisical attitude kind of put me off.</p>
<p>i just came off kind of disappointed because i was hoping to learn more about the profession from the dentist himself. this experience makes me less eager to shadow again, but if this is what shadowing is supposed to be like, maybe i'll go again.</p>