2 answers
jazmen
Student
Raleigh, North Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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How can I get set up with volunteering opportunities?
I have been a dental assistant for 7 years and am looking for volunteer options to help with my dental school application and process.
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2 answers
Michael Cadra
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, physician and dentist
30
Answers
Nipomo, California
Updated
Michael’s Answer
I see that you are in North Carolina.
Missions of Mercy hold annual events in your area to provide no-cost medical and dental care to needy patients. Give Kids a Smile is another organization with events every February. You can find out more at the NC Dental Association Foundation website https://ncdentalfoundation.org/events/. The volunteer experiences need not be in dental, but are often used to ensure that the applicant is well versed in what dentistry is about. Obviously with 7 years of experience in the field you are more knowledgeable than most applicants.
Volunteer Raleigh is another place to start: https://raleighnc.gov/community/services/volunteer-raleigh Some of these experiences look good to me but some may interfere with your work and school.
Research the schools that you are considering and find out how many hours are recommended for volunteering vs. shadowing a dentist.
At this time I assume that you will be in the 2025/26 application cycle. This means that much of your efforts should be on doing well on the DAT and validating your grades and knowledge of the prerequisite classes.
Develop your personal vision and mission statements and begin work on your application essays. A good resource is "Writing about me" by Barbara Huntington and Linda Masse.
Good luck,
Missions of Mercy hold annual events in your area to provide no-cost medical and dental care to needy patients. Give Kids a Smile is another organization with events every February. You can find out more at the NC Dental Association Foundation website https://ncdentalfoundation.org/events/. The volunteer experiences need not be in dental, but are often used to ensure that the applicant is well versed in what dentistry is about. Obviously with 7 years of experience in the field you are more knowledgeable than most applicants.
Volunteer Raleigh is another place to start: https://raleighnc.gov/community/services/volunteer-raleigh Some of these experiences look good to me but some may interfere with your work and school.
Research the schools that you are considering and find out how many hours are recommended for volunteering vs. shadowing a dentist.
At this time I assume that you will be in the 2025/26 application cycle. This means that much of your efforts should be on doing well on the DAT and validating your grades and knowledge of the prerequisite classes.
Develop your personal vision and mission statements and begin work on your application essays. A good resource is "Writing about me" by Barbara Huntington and Linda Masse.
Good luck,
Jeya Prakash Muthukrishnan
Project Manager
9
Answers
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Updated
Jeya Prakash’s Answer
Hello Jazmen,
I'm excited to guide you through the process of finding rewarding volunteer opportunities. Here are the steps:
1. Discover Your Passions and Abilities
First, think about the causes you hold dear, such as education, environment, healthcare, or community development. Then, ponder on your unique talents and how they can be put to good use. For instance:
- If you're good at teaching or mentoring, consider volunteering in education.
- If you're a pro at organizing, event planning might be your thing.
- If you're tech-savvy, you could help with technology or data-driven projects.
2. Explore Organizations
Start by searching for local organizations or NGOs that align with your passions. Visit their websites to learn about their volunteering needs.
3. Utilize Your Connections
Reach out to your colleagues, friends, or community members who are already volunteering. Joining social media groups or forums dedicated to volunteering in your area can be a great help.
4. Look into Workplace Volunteering Programs
Since you've been involved in sustainability workshops and other events, see if your company (like IBM) has structured volunteering programs. These often provide opportunities to give back through company-sponsored events or initiatives.
5. Participate in Local Events
Start small with one-off or short-term commitments like community cleanups, school events, or tree-planting drives. This will let you dip your toes in different areas without making a long-term commitment upfront.
6. Try Online Volunteering
If you're tight on time or can't travel, online volunteering could be a great fit. You could contribute to global causes through UN Online Volunteering, help students through tutoring or mentoring programs, or offer your professional skills to nonprofits.
7. Connect with Community Initiatives
Join neighborhood groups, religious organizations, or civic clubs that organize volunteering opportunities. Attending community meetings or fairs is a great way to meet people who share your interests.
8. Commit and Follow Through
Once you've found a volunteering opportunity that excites you, make sure you can dedicate the necessary time and effort. Build strong relationships with the organization and look for more ways to contribute.
If you're keen on continuing with sustainability-related initiatives like the workshops you've led, consider partnering with local schools or eco-clubs to expand your impact.
Best wishes,
Jeya
I'm excited to guide you through the process of finding rewarding volunteer opportunities. Here are the steps:
1. Discover Your Passions and Abilities
First, think about the causes you hold dear, such as education, environment, healthcare, or community development. Then, ponder on your unique talents and how they can be put to good use. For instance:
- If you're good at teaching or mentoring, consider volunteering in education.
- If you're a pro at organizing, event planning might be your thing.
- If you're tech-savvy, you could help with technology or data-driven projects.
2. Explore Organizations
Start by searching for local organizations or NGOs that align with your passions. Visit their websites to learn about their volunteering needs.
3. Utilize Your Connections
Reach out to your colleagues, friends, or community members who are already volunteering. Joining social media groups or forums dedicated to volunteering in your area can be a great help.
4. Look into Workplace Volunteering Programs
Since you've been involved in sustainability workshops and other events, see if your company (like IBM) has structured volunteering programs. These often provide opportunities to give back through company-sponsored events or initiatives.
5. Participate in Local Events
Start small with one-off or short-term commitments like community cleanups, school events, or tree-planting drives. This will let you dip your toes in different areas without making a long-term commitment upfront.
6. Try Online Volunteering
If you're tight on time or can't travel, online volunteering could be a great fit. You could contribute to global causes through UN Online Volunteering, help students through tutoring or mentoring programs, or offer your professional skills to nonprofits.
7. Connect with Community Initiatives
Join neighborhood groups, religious organizations, or civic clubs that organize volunteering opportunities. Attending community meetings or fairs is a great way to meet people who share your interests.
8. Commit and Follow Through
Once you've found a volunteering opportunity that excites you, make sure you can dedicate the necessary time and effort. Build strong relationships with the organization and look for more ways to contribute.
If you're keen on continuing with sustainability-related initiatives like the workshops you've led, consider partnering with local schools or eco-clubs to expand your impact.
Best wishes,
Jeya