Questions to Ask a Dentist When Shadowing
Professional, observation-driven prompts to ask while shadowing a dentist—focused on clinical reasoning, patient communication, and career realities without disrupting care.
1What’s your decision process for choosing between restoration options in a borderline case?
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What’s your decision process for choosing between restoration options in a borderline case?
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Why this works
Reveals diagnostic reasoning and how risk, prognosis, and patient preference shape the plan.
2How do you explain complex procedures to reduce patient anxiety?
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How do you explain complex procedures to reduce patient anxiety?
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Why this works
Surfaces teach-back techniques and language that builds trust and consent.
3What clinical red flags make you pause and reconsider your initial plan?
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What clinical red flags make you pause and reconsider your initial plan?
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Why this works
Teaches reflective practice and safety checks that protect outcomes.
4How do you coordinate with hygienists and assistants during a busy schedule?
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How do you coordinate with hygienists and assistants during a busy schedule?
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Why this works
Shows team workflows, role clarity, and efficiency strategies in real time.
5What instruments or materials do you prefer and why?
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What instruments or materials do you prefer and why?
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Why this works
Connects product choice to clinical philosophy, cost, and patient comfort.
6How do you handle time pressure when a procedure runs long?
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How do you handle time pressure when a procedure runs long?
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Why this works
Explores triage, communication with patients, and schedule recovery tactics.
7What are common mistakes new dentists make—and how can I avoid them?
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What are common mistakes new dentists make—and how can I avoid them?
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Why this works
Gives practical guardrails and learning accelerators for early career stages.
8How do you approach pain management and anesthesia discussions?
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How do you approach pain management and anesthesia discussions?
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Why this works
Highlights empathy, expectation-setting, and safe dosing considerations.
9What do you consider a ‘good day’ clinically, and why?
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What do you consider a ‘good day’ clinically, and why?
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Why this works
Clarifies values and the metrics that actually matter for care quality.
10How do you decide when to refer to a specialist?
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How do you decide when to refer to a specialist?
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Why this works
Explains thresholds, risk tolerance, and collaborative care standards.
11What’s your approach to infection control and where do students slip up?
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What’s your approach to infection control and where do students slip up?
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Why this works
Grounds you in practical, auditable habits that protect patients and staff.
12How do you document cases so they’re legally and clinically strong?
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How do you document cases so they’re legally and clinically strong?
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Why this works
Links charting to risk management, continuity, and billing accuracy.
13What surprised you about the business side of dentistry?
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What surprised you about the business side of dentistry?
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Why this works
Prepares you for realities like insurance, overhead, and case acceptance.
14How do you handle patients who are hesitant about recommended treatment?
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How do you handle patients who are hesitant about recommended treatment?
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Why this works
Teaches motivational interviewing and ethical persuasion.
15What metrics do you track to improve patient outcomes and practice health?
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What metrics do you track to improve patient outcomes and practice health?
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Why this works
Connects quality improvement to data, feedback loops, and operations.
16How do you keep skills current—courses, mentors, or study clubs?
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How do you keep skills current—courses, mentors, or study clubs?
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Why this works
Maps a learning system you can replicate for lifelong competence.
17What case from the last year taught you the most?
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What case from the last year taught you the most?
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Why this works
Draws out a reflective story with actionable lessons and nuance.
18What qualities make for an excellent dental assistant or hygienist partner?
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What qualities make for an excellent dental assistant or hygienist partner?
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Why this works
Shows you how to co-create flow, safety, and patient experience.
19If you could give one piece of advice to pre-dental students, what is it?
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If you could give one piece of advice to pre-dental students, what is it?
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Why this works
Distills mentoring wisdom into a single actionable focus for early steps.
20Is there anything I can watch for today that would help me learn faster?
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Is there anything I can watch for today that would help me learn faster?
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Why this works
Signals humility and shapes the shadowing experience to maximize insight.
Shadowing Etiquette and Learning Framework
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Be Helpful, Invisible, and Curious
Read the Room
Save questions for non-clinical moments; prioritize patient comfort and time.
Ask Why, Not Just What
Probe reasoning behind choices to learn transferable principles—not just steps.
Protect Privacy
Follow HIPAA and practice policies strictly—no identifiers, no photos, no posts.
Safe Question Windows
Between Patients
After Procedures
Common Pitfalls
Interrupting Care
Never ask mid-procedure unless safety requires it. Take notes and wait.
Leading Questions
Ask open prompts to learn thought process rather than confirm guesses.