If you're applying to dental school, your pre-dental resume plays a critical role in your application. Two of the most common experiences students pursue are shadowing and volunteering, but which one has more impact? At Smiles Movement, we help pre-dental students gain both types of experience through structured programs that combine clinical exposure and community service. Let’s break down the benefits of each and how they prepare you for the pre-dental path.
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Shadowing for Pre-Dental Experience
Shadowing gives you a front-row seat to what dentists actually do. It’s about observing procedures, interactions with patients, and the day-to-day realities of clinical practice. For pre-dental students, this firsthand exposure can be a game-changer.
Benefits of shadowing:
- Shows dental schools you understand the profession
- Let's you confirm your interest in dentistry
- Helps you build professional relationships with dentists who may write recommendation letters
Most dental schools expect a minimum number of shadowing hours. Having a variety of shadowing experiences in different specialties can also help you stand out.
Volunteering for Pre-Dental Growth
Volunteering shows your commitment to service and empathy, core values in healthcare. While it doesn’t always involve dentistry directly, it’s a great way to demonstrate your dedication to helping others and being active in your community.
Volunteering can include:
- Working at free dental clinics or health fairs
- Assisting with oral health education programs
- Helping underserved communities through nonprofit organizations
If you’re part of pre-dental programs on campus, volunteering is often built into their service model. These experiences can broaden your perspective and help you grow as a future healthcare provider.
Smiles Movement offers opportunities to combine service and learning. Through Smiles, students can engage in community outreach while also gaining clinical insight, making it one of the most impactful ways to volunteer as a pre-dental student.
Which Is More Valuable on a Pre-Dental Resume?
The truth is: you need both. Shadowing proves that you understand the clinical side of dentistry. It gives you exposure to procedures, patient interactions, and the responsibilities of being a healthcare provider. This kind of experience signals to admissions committees that you’ve taken the time to explore the profession seriously—and that you’re not just choosing dentistry on a whim.
On the other hand, volunteering shows your compassion, communication skills, and commitment to service. Whether you’re assisting at a free clinic, mentoring youth, or working with underserved communities, these experiences highlight your ability to connect with others—something every dentist needs.
The most competitive applicants combine both experiences effectively. They don’t just collect hours—they engage meaningfully and reflect on what those experiences taught them.
That said, if you’re targeting the best pre-dental programs, you’ll want to be a well-rounded applicant. These programs often seek students who can demonstrate both clinical understanding and a strong service mindset. Having significant experience in both areas, paired with thoughtful reflections on what you learned, how you grew, and how these moments confirmed your interest in dentistry, can genuinely set you apart from other applicants.
How to Balance Shadowing and Volunteering
Balancing both experiences means being intentional with your time. Use school breaks for shadowing when you can commit to longer hours in a clinical setting. During the academic year, stay involved through consistent volunteering, especially with your pre-dental programs or service clubs.
Smiles Movement makes this easier by offering shadow volunteering—a unique blend of observing dental professionals while actively serving communities. Through Smiles, you can shadow licensed dentists, assist in oral health outreach, and gain hands-on experience that strengthens both your skills and your resume.
It’s a structured way to get the best of both worlds, all while making a meaningful impact.
Track and Reflect on Every Experience
To get the most value from your pre-dental experiences, don’t just participate—document everything. Admissions committees want to see not only what you did but what you learned.
Here’s how to stay organized:
- Keep a detailed log – Record dates, locations, hours completed, and your specific role or tasks. This will make it easier to track your progress and report accurate numbers on applications.
- Reflect after each experience – Write a brief summary of what you observed or learned, how it impacted your understanding of dentistry, and how it shaped your interest in the field.
- Build relationships – Stay connected with the dentists or supervisors you worked with. These mentors can offer advice and provide strong letters of recommendation later on.
- Organize your insights - Create a digital folder or journal where you keep your reflections, logs, and any notable takeaways. These notes will be invaluable when writing your personal statement or preparing for interviews.
By taking time to reflect and record, you’ll be able to tell a much stronger and more personal story in your pre-dental application.
Join the Smiles Movement to Promote Oral Health
Taking your pre-dental journey seriously means more than just building your resume—it’s about being part of a larger mission to improve lives through oral health.
Be part of a movement that blends volunteering with meaningful impact. Download the Smiles Brochure to learn how you can get involved today.
