Winter 2021-current
I have never had the opportunity to shadow before and then COVID hit and my hopes were crushed. Longwood has a winter intersession opportunity where local Longwood alumni are contacted by the alumni center and then they helped you set up a meeting with the professional. The service told me about Dr. Marshall but then winter break came and never helped me do anything else. After emailing them several times, frustrated with no response I took matters into my own hands and called the office myself. After that, I went into the office to introduce myself personally. From there I set up an internship with Dr. Marshall for the winter of my sophomore year. For the first few weeks, I would come in and he would suggest papers to read and that I should go get a dental textbook. I would watch his procedures and write down questions then afterward go over what happened and why.
In the summer of 2022 as I continued my shadowing experience I also had a counterpart from Hampton Sydney. He was really cool to talk to because he was doing independent dental research during the summer on the bacteria in mouths.
From there, I learned so much of the basics and I asked Dr. Marshall for a job for the rest of the summer. During that time I helped in the lab to clean all of the instruments. Dr. Marshall would also ask me to help him around the office because his office often flooded. I helped do landscaping outside, revamp the inside plants/terrarium, take down the shutters, sand them, sand them, and put them back up. I also helped cut ceiling tiles, replace door knobs, and paint. I was a true handywoman. I made true friends during this time, the women in his office were amazing and I continue to stop by and talk to them. Dr. Marshall and I have formed an amazing relationship. We are passionate about the same things, environmentalism, dentistry, and plants. From this experience, I have gained a revitalized love for dentistry and I am now even more sure of my career path. I continue our relationship to this day. Dr. Marshall has offered me a job for June and July after I graduate to teach me how to assist with dental procedures.
I have attached my artifact from my experience. This is a sample of the notes that I would take during my time shadowing at Dr. Marshall’s a true compilation of doodles and general inquiry.
Artifact details: Name; Davice Jones, Date; (9/19/2021), Title; Notes during Shadowing Experience.