National Groundhog Job Shadow Day

You're invited to kick off February dental careers month by participating in the Annual National Groundhog Job Shadow Day beginning on February 1, 2008, and continuing throughout the spring of 2008. Job shadowing enables young people to "shadow" a workplace mentor as he or she goes through a normal day on the job, providing an up-close look at how the skills learned in school are put in action in the workplace. It is an excellent opportunity to expose students to dental careers, specifically, dentistry, dental assisting, dental hygiene and dental laboratory technology. The U.S. Department of Labor, Junior Achievement and America's Promise make up the coalition of sponsoring agencies for this year's event.

"How to Have a Successful Groundhog Job Shadow Day," details how to promote and implement the program as well as ideas for employers and students. The "How to…" guide can be downloaded from www.jobshadow.org or is available by calling the Job Shadow Day Coalition at 800-373-3174. A listing of the School to Careers, Junior Achievement and America's Promise representatives for your area is available at http://www.jobshadow.org/get_started/contacts.html . These organizations coordinate with the local school systems in communicating your interest in participating in this effort.

We urge you to play an active role in this activity and promote dentistry career opportunities this February and into 2008! Contact your state/local dental society for further information or contact Bev Skoog, Career Guidance Programs Liaison, 312-440-2390 or at skoogb@ada.org.

Some ideas to introduce dental careers include:

Education-related Activities :

• Teach brushing/flossing on manikin/model and then demonstrate in the participant's mouth (could then be done by participant.)
• Teach oral cancer self-examination using mouth mirror and gauze squares: participant could try the self exam technique.
• Set up an experiment portraying the process of tooth decay .

(The ADA catalog, available at www.adacatalog.org, may have additional materials available such as pamphlets for these activities)

Clinical Activities :

• Mount radiographs (most offices have old films that can be handled.)
• Discuss and practice dressing in/putting on OSHA-related infection control: personal protective equipment (masks, gloves, face shields, gowns)
• Mock set-up/break-down of infection control gear on chair/operatory; sterilization of instruments
• Disclose and record plaque scores (can relate nicely to brushing/flossing)

Laboratory Activities:

• Mix alginate and take impressions from a cast
• Mix dental materials: cements, composites, amalgam

Other Possible Activities:

• File patient charts (front office)
• Help bring patients back to the operatory for treatment
• Help to replenish supplies in the operatory rooms
• Address/label appointment reminder cards (front office)

Participating in job shadowing and other career activities is investing in the profession of dentistry. In just a few short hours you and your staff can make a significant difference in the workforce of the future!

Thank you for taking the time to share your valuable career information with students.

Contact Information
Bev Skoog
Phone: 800-621-8099 x2390 or 312-440-2390
E-mail: skoogb@ada.org

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