What an Observation Day Taught Me

Let me tell you about a day I spent at a practice, shadowing to see how it worked—and whether I could see myself working there.

A Promising Start

I was genuinely excited. The dentist and practice manager had been enthusiastic about having me visit. They’d invited me to come in, meet the team, and get a feel for how the practice ran.
It was a well-regarded clinic, known for good dentistry, efficient systems, and a strong reputation in the community. I was keen to see how it all fit together.

And Then… Silence

I arrived early, introduced myself to the practice manager, and briefly saw the dentist I was meant to shadow. After a quick hello, he disappeared.
I wasn’t sure where he'd gone, and no one else seemed to notice I was standing there. Everyone was busy, getting on with the pre-clinic routine, and I was left on my own—awkwardly trying not to get in the way.

Eventually, I stumbled across a room where a morning huddle was already underway. I hadn’t been told about it, I found it purely by chance.

It Wasn’t What I Expected

You can probably imagine how the rest of the day played out.

The practice was so busy, so focused on its own momentum, that there was no space or time for a visitor. Or maybe it just didn’t think it needed to make one.

It surprised me—and not in a good way.

Dentistry Is Hospitality

I’ve written before about how dentistry is, at its core, part of the hospitality business. But that day, after the initial greeting, there was no hospitality.
No effort to guide, include, or even acknowledge me. Just a silent message: fend for yourself.

Why Observation Days Matter

You can learn a lot from an observation day.

Sometimes, a practice turns out to be better than you expected; more welcoming, more supportive, more aligned with your values.

And sometimes… it tells you everything you need to know without saying a word.

Before You Sign Anything…

Take the opportunity to shadow before you accept a role. Don’t just look at the surface, pay attention to how you're treated, how the team functions, and whether the culture feels like one you can grow in.

Because you're not just choosing a job. You're choosing who you’ll learn from, who you’ll spend your days with, and what kind of dentist you’ll become.

If you're preparing for your first job in dentistry, my Start Smart course is designed to help you make confident decisions and hit the ground running in your first role. From job comparisons and interview prep to getting organised for Day 1—it’s everything I wish I’d known starting out.

👉springboard-dental.teachable.com/l/pdp/start-smart

Have a great day

Rosie