How to Get High School Students Interested in Becoming a Dentist

Some high school students are unsure about what to do with their lives upon graduation. It's not that they don't have any ideas. However, they may just be having a hard time making a final decision. This causes them to become confused and even stressed. It doesn't help when they have parents, teachers and other family members constantly asking them about their career plans. Nagging isn't going to help them. However, what they really need is to have someone present them with feasible ideas. So, if you are currently working as a dentist and you would like to help local students with their decision, there is definitely something you can do. You can go to local schools in your area and talk to students about the dental field. This isn't to try to persuade them, but it's to give them an idea and more in depth look into the field.

If you truly want to take this route, the first thing you should do is contact the administrators at the schools that you want to connect with. Explain to them what you plan to do and why you believe it's important. Being able to sell your idea is vital. Many times, school calendars are filled a year in advance. So, the administrators won't interrupt the schedule or make last minute decisions for something they don't deem worthy. If they feel it is a waste of time, your idea probably won't be accepted. Another option would be to try to plan a year in advance; that way you will have a better chance of making it onto the schedule.

Once you are accepted, do your best to show the students the importance of becoming a dentist. Bring in as many visuals as possible. This includes models, videos, pictures and even handouts. Because today's youth are so used to visual stimulation, it becomes difficult to keep their attention without incorporating these types of learning tools. So, do your best to keep their attention by doing more than a long and drawn out lecture. If the children are bored, they will be less likely to pay attention. Therefore, you wouldn't be as effective in getting your point across.

Lastly and most importantly, remember to be honest. Let them know the ups and downs about being a dentist. You don't have to sugarcoat anything. The last thing you want to do is persuade someone to do something without showing them the entire picture. Allow students to ask questions. This will help them to become more engaged.

So, as a dentist you can help to create an interest in your field by trying to seek the attention of those who are on the verge of choosing their careers.