Last day at clinic!

Woot Woot!  I saw a pt in the morning and I took a few pa's on max ant.  The x-rays showed a radiolucent area between 8 and 9.  Sound familiar?... We got Prof McConaughy into this picture.  We spent half of the morning figuring out if it was a cyst or not.  I took Pa's and an occl film.  Strange thing though, I remember in radiology that we would not be taking those pictures in practice.  I did.  It came to the conclusion that Prof. McConaughy would do a little bit more research.  My afternoon pt did not show up, which was my class 4 pt.  Thankfully Brook let me cleaned 2 quads of her class 3 pt.  I am so thankful for her!  It was amazing how fast this semester went!  It just reminds me that I have to clean 29 quad of class 3 next semester... which I am not looking forward to.  My luck this semester did no exist.  Most of my class 3 pt canceled or did not show up.  It is very discouraging.  My next goal for next semester will have a stress free clinic... if that is possible.  In a way, I hope next semester will be fast, so I can sleep during the summer.  Have a good winter break!

LAST VA

I had a pretty interesting morning.  Prof Bossenberger sub for Dixon today.  If you know instr. Dixon, she is known of giving only class 1B and 5.  My pt would have been in the class 1B, but Prof. Bossenberger gave me a class 2 instead.  No wonder why I'm struggling with getting class 3 requirements!  I also got a chance to have a 4 week evaluation of a class 3 pt.  She never had a cleaning for a long, long time.  Her probing depths were in the 5-7mm range, and her x-rays showed good horizontal bone loss with clicks on every tooth.  She got her whole mouth cleaned with arestin in a few appts, and I got to evaluate her 4 weeks after her last cleaning.  Her gingiva showed major improvement, but there was some areas of papillary and marginal redness by the molars.  I got to reprobe her and saw a general improvement.  There were a couple of spots that had some calculus right where the redness showed, so I cleaned up those areas. I also put arestin in those areas as well.  It is amazing how important that an re-evaluation is for the patient. It is an opportunity to see how good the pt OH is, and it is a way to educate the pt as well.  It is a great feeling that this pt is taking so much care of her teeth now, then compared a few months ago.

Lab Day!

It was a BUSY morning.  I had one class 5 pt and one class 2 pt.  Both of them needed LA, and one of them needed nitrous.  I was able to complete them in that morning, which is amazing.  You have to realize that nitrous and LA takes some time out of your schedule.  On top of that, I was able to pass of 4 pe's. On top of that, Sam and Brook did an amazing job of passing off their LA pe's off with my pt.  It is common to get nervous in giving an injection.  My hands shake until I poke my pt with the needle, just saying it in a nice way.  I can tell you this, the more you practice, the better you get.  Also, you get pretty excited to give injections after giving several of them.  It highlights your day.  Just remember to be confident and don't show that your nervous or mutter underneath your breath.  Your pts will notice, and they will get nervous too.   I was amazed of what I did that morning.  My pt were so nice and compliant to the oral hygiene instruction I gave them.  Lab was interesting.  I was the paralyzed pt, and boy was I good acting lifeless.  It is amazing how much you forget over the semester, even though some of it is repeated.

VA

I am getting a little tired of seeing class 1B's at the VA.  It's great that I can see 2 pts in the morning, but I would like a class 3 of one quad once in a while.  I saw 28 year old men who have not seen a hygienist in a while, and they were tender.  I offered LA or oralkick, but they wanted to man up.  Ha ha.. reminds me of my brothers and cousins at home.  I do however like their attention when I give them patient education to improve their oral hygiene.  It makes me feel like an important health care professional.  Oh, by the way, I am completely done with my bwx requirements... so if anyone needs bwxs... dont hesitate to stop me.  Next goal is to get pa's

Bad Luck!

For 3 weeks in a row... my afternoon pt have cancelled last minute... not only that... these are my down to earth class 3 pt's.  I have no ideas what to do at this situation.  I make my appts 3 weeks in advance, and give them weekly reminders and day before reminders.  Luckly, I have good mornings b/c I see 2 pts with a classificaton of 2 or 5.  I only have 5 quads total of class 3 and 4, and I am really worried!  Does anyone have advice for me??? My next goal is to see class 3 and 4's, but I really need help with that!

Good o'l Leigh

First of all, Leigh is just amazing!!!   We originally had a couple sch together, but they cancelled Halloween night.  Let me tell you how stressful that is to find 2 pt in the morning on a Holloween night.  Poor leigh went through some hard stress, but eventually got someone in the chair.  I had a little breakdown with my afternoon pt.  my Class 4 pt had car problems and canceled on the minute she was supposed to be seated in my chair.  I went through numbers to find someone else, but I couldn't find anyone.  So far, I only seen 3 quads of class 3 and 4, and I was worried... really worried!  Dr hanson came out of the clinic and found me all stressed out and we had a little chit chat.  Thank goodness for professors who understand and will do their best to help you.  I did see a midtown pt and only got 9 pas plus bitewings.  That was a tender mercy.  Next goal... don't be stressed that it wont affect how you work and act professionally.

LA for the first time

It is a great feeling that you can really practice injections for the first time... well it went ok for the first time.  Thankfully Jen was there telling every single step to do, b/c I went brain dead.  It is hard practicing on your skull at home b/c they don't have tissue, but you get the general idea where the solution is being deposited.  I did review before-hand, but I forget these things doing the first time.  However, look professional, and keep reviewing and practicing.  That is my next goal... to review LA before going to clinic. 

Going the next step

I notice that I get done so early in clinic that I have so much time to spare.  It great helping other girls clean up, but today I challenged myself.  I saw two class 5 pts in the morning.  (lee was my inspiration... if she could sch 2 class 3 to finish up thier mouths.. why couldn't I see 2 pts as well)  These pt were a cute old couple that needed x-rays, od, and cleaning... and you know what... I did just that!  With no spots missed.  It is one of those proud moments that you want to shout all over b/c I accomplished something I did not before.  It is pretty exciting that instrumentation is going smoother and faster.  Don't be afraid to try something like this!  Just imagine how many quads you can get done within the semester.  I'm looking forward to next semester when my skills will improve and I can double schedule class 3 in my chair.  This is my goal... and hopefully I will accomplish this soon this semester!

Mockboard!

Wow... that should be a 9-letter bad word... it only creates stress and anxiety!  So my original pt and backup could not come in the last minute.. but with miracles and great classmates... kayla and I called my backup every hour until we finally texted her.  She replied.  So note to everyone, if the pt is the younger generation or technology sound... you can text weeks ahead or the day of if calling does not work.  I did pretty well.  I was able to do x-rays in the morning and able to finish the one quad before everyone got done.  Fortunately I missed only one spot; her canine did not fall into the occlusion and therefore gets more food impaction ( which equals cal).  Be aware of that.  So my next goal is to look at the occlusion and any teeth that seem to go out of line.  Calculus is there probably!

Class 2

I finally got to see a class 2.  Class 5 are great, but I want that calculus.  My afternoon pt was a sad story... she has an upper denture and only the anteriors left which are causing her great pain.  I got a few Pa's, and there was decay on every single tooth.  The only thing I could do at the point was to strongly refer her to a dentist b/c I couldn't use my instrument quite yet with all that decay.  I notice lately that pt in the same senario as her have an upper denture.  I learned from Prof Alexander that it is common.  Since the maxillary teeth are 3 rooted compared to the 2 rooted mandibular molars, they are more risk area of decay and tooth loss.  Also, stuff pools around the ant mandibulars.. which means F and all that good minerals.  Keep on a look for that when you do oral cancer screenings!  It is quite amazing!  This situation has inspired me to get articles for these types of pt and see if any possible pamplets so I can be an evidence-based hygienist.  My next goal is just do that... amazing what these little events can do.

Wow... a Class 4!!!

My goodness... I had once again one of those mornings... but my eyes just popped when I looked inside the mouth of my afternoon patient.  I felt bad for this lady... she has not been to a hygienist before and she has a couple of wiggly teeth at the age of 41.  Boy, did those x-rays look pretty though... bone loss, furcations, and calculus on every tooth.  Not to mention her pocket depths.  I have never felt my hand get so tired trying to scrape that calculus off.  I had to get dr hanson to teach me a couple of instrumentation tricks.  Next goal to self... don't be afraid to use the ultrasonic a couple or few times on a pt.  It is quite bennificial... also the sharpening stone is your friend... use it!

Wow! What a day

So, my morning pt had a knee joint replacement within the last four months, and she had no idea that she needs to pre-med and get a phy consult.  So, what did I get to do all morning... yup... calling, faxing as such... by the time I got the order from the doctor, it was time for her to leave.  Poor Prof Alexander saw me go through this mess, but she really liked how professional I was in handling the situation.  Note to all of you... even though you may have a bad day like this... become an professional actor.  I saw another 1A again... I guess I don't need my cousins anymore... so Ill give it to someone who needs 1A's.  My next goal is to get some sleep... school plus stress is not being very helpful in this area.

Starting off with easy patients

Well... I did not want to work on a class 3 quite yet... b/c i wanted my fingers to remember how to adapt and detect that calculus.  I saw my cousin who is 13, but he still is retaining several baby teeth, but his permant teeth are coming in.  I was excited that he counted as a 1A and not a 1B.  It seems like my VA patients are 1B's... which is good for them, but not for me.  I performed quite well with sealant, areas of clean surfaces, etc.  I guess my next goal would be to improve my communication.  My other patient was my fabulous roommate.  B/c she lives with me, she gets forced to floss... after all we are bathroom mates in all.

First day of pt

I was unfortunate to get class 1B in my chair... now my !B are finished.  At least I got a pano and a set of BWXs in.  I couldn't believe how relaxing clinic was today.  I really didn't like clinic last year, but this year is going great.  I did my best not rescaling teeth... I just used my explorer.  My next goal is to print my tx plan before scaling:)  It is amazing how much you forget.

VA for the first time

First of all, I nearly slept during morning orientation b/c the room was absolutly cold.  Note... my arms get cold, but not the rest of my body.  I saw my first pt today, and I couldn't believe how fast my skills came back.  He was a 1B, but I got a pano, a set of BWXs, and FMS.  I do not like digital x-rays, but it is good to get some practice on a little bit of everything.  My goal is not to rescale teeth; I should be confident in what I do.

First day of clinic!

Well, I got sleep last night.  It was a relaxing day.  I get re-aquainted with the diagnodent, first-aid, and the x-rays.  The videos were somewhat entertaining, but it is good to get reminded to practice patient privacy.  So my goals this year is to pass clinic with an A.  Well, I will see about that.

I'm done done done

I finished my last child and did a full mouth of conventional x-rays.  I was in a hurry and felt stressed.  I'm trying so hard to not get stressed b/c my grasp gets hard.  Luckly I didn't do anything w/ instrumentation only sel pol with my young cousin of mine.  I finished my requirements, x-rays, and pe's.  Happy Happy Happy Day.  So my next goal for next year is not to forget everything I learned

Pre-missionary cleaning

So my old releif society councilor is going on her mission and does not have dental insurance... so I was able to contribute my services for a reduced price.  It is a great feeling.  It was a long day too b/c I was in clinic all day to pass off the peer calculus removal pe and gracey pe on Kayla's pt.  Busy, but good!  All I have left to do is my x-rays in which a former student at Weber dh is coming in to help me out.  So sweet of her.  Next goal... finish up x-ray requriements!

Cousin Day

So my cousin presented an interesting case; he had a retained partial of a baby tooth.  So instead of doing quads, I did a sealant and allowed the dentist to pull that little sucker out!  I hope he got partial money under his pillow that night.  I already fulfilled my 1B requirements, but I was not concerned about quads... only sealants and x-rays.  I only have 1 pe left to pass... so that will be my next goal... plus x-rays.

My favorite Patient

So... I had someone special from Arizona come up to visit me for a dental cleaning... plus other stuff... but getting those requirements are just as important.  Poor guy... he just came back from his mission, but his teeth looked better than mine.  Talk about brushing your teeth 3 times a day and flossing everyday to prevent cavities.  I'm happy to say... he did not have any suspicious areas.  Poor guy... Tanya and I passed so many PE's on him.  He is a true friend!  I didn't feel so rushed this time... next goal is to finish my PE's by next monday

2 IA in one appt

Wow!!! I can hardly believe it.  I was able to do a 7 year old plus x-rays and a 12 year old in one appt.  That alone has put less stress on my requirements.  The 12 year old boy had hardly anything.  I was completely and utterly shocked that he brushed and flossed his teeth everyday.  His PFI showed it too 96 percent.  Wow... either he is amazing or his mom is.  Miracles do happen.  On top of that... I had no spots b/c of good kids who really do take care of their teeth!  No tissue trauma... so my goal is to not be in a rush!

1B in one appt

Wow... it has taken me this long to do 1B in one appt.  I'm slow, but I'm getting there.  Ins Demmings show me some trick on hand scaling that I never thought about before.  She made my day... and to think about it, I had no spots, taken 4 bwx, and passed off 2 pe's.  My goal is to have no tissue trauma by adapting.

Another 1B

AFter weeks and weeks of class 2 and 3, it was nice to have a break and have an easy mouth.  My pt was sensitive, so I learned to adapt.  This might sound crazy, but I prefer to hand scale than use the ultrasonic, but it only applies to 1B, and maybe class 2.  I did have a little tissue trauma, but I'm improving.  Again, my goal is not have tissue trauma.

Finish w/ class 3

What a relief to finish a class 3.  It took me 3 appts, but it is finally finished.  It took me an whole appt to clean one quad.  I am still having trouble w/ adaptation, so I still need to work at my goal.  My goal is not to have tissue trauma... so I need to adapt more.

Class 3

My pt had 1/2 quad class 3 and 1/2 of class 2.  I feel a little bit stressed... tests and convention.  I am struggling w/ instrumentation.  I do a lot of tissue trauma.  For me, it looks like I'm adapting, but that is not the case.  I'm still hard on my patient.  Light strokes are not light.  So my goal is to instrument better.

Yea for class 3

I did tori's patient today, and she was a class 3.  It was difficult.  She only spoke spanish, and she never heard of periodontal disease.  I was able to get a student to translate for me.  I did an OD and 1 quad.  I did alright my first quad... only 4 spots missed that were subgingival.  So my goal for this summer is to learn spanish.  I should know spanish b/c I was a minority in jr high and high school, and everything is printed in both english and spanish.  All my brothers know spanish, and half my family is hispanic orgin.  They know spanish.  At least I will get practice.

class 3

I had a patient who has a thick chart.  He has a partial denture, and has 4 teeth in each quad.  Fortunately, 2 quads are class 3.  I failed my PE b/c I forgot some things, so make sure you read and reread your PE.  I did and reread the denture section in Wilkins.  Its frustrating, b/c my computer is still going crazy when it comes to printing.  I need to be more optomistic about mornings... but w/ only 4 hours of sleep per night... and no naps is tiring me out.  I tried my superstrong sleeping pill, but that is not working.  Goal.... sleep well at nights. 

1B finished

I did my roommate monday, and she is such a great brusher.  It has been 9 months since she came in, and she had no calculus on the molars.  She had some calculus on the ant linguals b/c of lingual bar and never used a floss threader before.  She only took one hour to take.  I'm doing better on my posture, but it was hard on that day b/c I had cramps... bad ones.  I was going to see my peer pal, but I couldn't w/ my cramps and my computer that still has problems.  Besides that, I want to conquer indirect vision w/ good posture. 

Computer Problems

So my computer was messed up.  Apparently, half of the computers were going crazy in the clinic the day before.  Unfortuately for me... my computer stayed that way.  It keep on freezing... I couldn't exit, log out, print my tx plan or walk out, edit anything.  After shutting it down, I couldn't log into another computer b/c I was still log into my crazy computer.  With all the time I spent on that crazy machine, and w/ the help of Mr. Soloman and Stephanie, it took me an hour away from my time.  Imagine all the things I could do in an hour.  I could of scaled my 1B pt w/ OD and x-rays.  It so happened to be one of those days.  I'm still struggling on posture, and the instructors are really pushing it on me.  After several minutes, they come back and straighten my back/neck.  I'm trying, but I just don't feel comfortable.  As always, my goal is to work on my posture and exploratory strokes.

Lab Day

Lab day was educating.  I learned that many people don't like getting poked in the finger, which is so sad.  No one should get poked in the finger.  I'm use to it b/c I donate blood every 8 weeks, and go to the doctor once in a while.  I was very depressed that I have a "suspicious lession", but fortunately, I can remineralize my tooth.  Maybe I should brush my teeth 2 times a day... but mornings are so hard.  Denture cleaning looks easy.  Best part is that we got to eat in clinic... which is not aloud in the clinic:)... and we got out early:)

Happy Val Day

So... I was able to finish my class 2 pt in 2 hours... and I was able to finish 2 quads of my 1b.  That makes a grand total of 6 quads.  That made my day.  A few suggestions... don't put your chart in your lap.  I get a habbit to look at the probe depts from my lap... big no no.  Also, the ca's were so excellent to help me tear down and set up for my 2nd pt.  Thank you, thank you.  Last, Do Not Rush.  You might forget something.  So, my goal is to work at my cloak positions and great posture. 

no show

My pt called me the morning of and couldn't come in b/c she had 4 sick children.  That is understandable.... b/c you don't know when you have sick children until the morning before school.  I called several girls, but no one could come in.  After 2 hours, I called my peerpal, and she was able to come in.  Thank goodness for peer pals.  The OD took 30 minutes b/c she was recording them in her chair.  If all fails... call your peel pal.  Stephanie and I made this agreement that I would pay her 5 cents everytime she catches w/ me w/ wrong posture.  I really want to get the correct posture and not compromise it... so that is my goal.

1B finished

I'm so happy that I got to finish my first 1B!  My other pt who was a Class 2 cancelled yesterday.  Fortunatley, there are good people in the world who would fill in the last minute.  I took my time, and only had 2 areas.  Ins Vining was helpful to help improve my direct vision by moving my clock position.  So, that is my next goal.... to improve my vision w/o compromising my posture.  Every instructor has caught me, but I have not caught myself.  So.... I need to work on my position.  My words are so mixed up in my words... and my brain... Fortunately... it am able to understand scaling.  Ins Vining is so good... I feel so bad for making awkward faces at him.

Yea for 1b

Wed mornings are hard to schedule appts.  No one is willing to wake up early in the morning... especially if it is really really cold outside.  I went to my cousins house this weekend, and I was able to fill all my Wed mornings... b/c they are early risers for most of them.  It was strange enough... my cousin saw her month and wanted to changes in her OH.  She is also a clincher, so I took some intra-oral camera shots.  She was amazed.  Apparently, she wants me to bring a mirror so she can look inside my mouth.  It is a whole different environment when you have family in your chair.  I doing better on my posture... well see about scaling.  My goal is to not forget the minor things on charting... just mindless things.... I seem to forget.

Another Class 2

It was so exciting that I got another Class 2 pt.  This last pt will fulfill all my requirements for class 2.  Unfortunately, time is limited.  She is a mom that needs to pick up her kids... so I have to let her out an hour early.  Hopefully next appt. I will be able to finish her in an hour.  I took my time, and really concentrated on my posture.  I did so much better on my posture.  I wasn't leaning over or bending my neck quite as much.  Next goal is to scale w/o scaling some tissue w/ it.

Another Class 2

I scaled another class 2 today.  It was harder than the class 2 I saw last week.  I was very discouraged.  My pt teeth were malpositioned, which made it hard to go interproximately.  He also had more areas of subgingival calculus, so I brought out the graceys.  It was so annoying to scale a tooth, and explore to feel a bump still there.  That was the discouraging part.  I was able to scale all his teeth in one appt, but the scale check showed al least 10 spots missed.  I was out of time to scale the missed spots, so I rescheduled him for another appt.  I don't reccommend to start off your semester to scale class 2 and have no experience previous w/ 1bs.  My goal is to have sufficient lateral pressure and the perfect instrument to scale my pt.  My posture is really bad, but it has been like that way for a long time.  It is about time to change.

yea for 1B

I have a 1B patient!!! She has moderate calculus build-up.  I am improving on my posture, but I still catch myself leaning over .  I'm practicing on my indirect vision a little bit more.  I was stressed yesterday b/c my pt did not answer her phone, which is usually a bad sign in my case... they never show up.  However, I called her again this morning and she answered.  It is amazing that I am stressed about the upcoming tests, but I am more stressed on getting a pt in my chair even though I made an appt in advance.  Luckly, I have a roommate just in case if my patient does not show up. 

Finished Class 2

It was amazing.  I was able to do a full mouth scale in one appointment.  I missed 5 spots for my first scale check, but I didn't get any on my final scale check.  I was able to pass off two PE too, so it was a productive day.  I am struggling w/ my posture.  I get all tense up, according to Stephanie.  she is so good for catching me.  I have been struggling w/ posture all my life.  I am a Scottish dancer, and I am really tense on my upper body.  I don't feel comfortable having good posture... as strange as it sounds, but that is my goal for next week... good posture.  That means adjucting your clock position and patient in order to see.

Another Class II

I am so fortunate to get all these class II patients.  The only problem is that they are so young.  My patient was in her 20s, and she could not affort to pay for regualer checkups.  I am so glad she found Weber State, so I can help her out.  The other thing problem is my patients are a little bit late.  I tell them thier appt is at eight, and come a little bit before.  Any suggestion???  My goal is to remind patients to bring something to read, especially when you are doing x-rays.

1-10

My patient did not show up today.  Luckly for me and being in the rs presidency, I had an old list of phone numbers.  I was calling like crazy to get one person to get in.  Fortunately, my good ol roommate answered and came.  She had limited time, but I was able to do OHI on her.  I called my old patient to remind her of her appt ahead of time, but she did not answer her phone.  I left messages, but I don't think people look at them in this time.  Heads of up girls, make sure they confirm their appt and don't leave messages.  Most likely they won't show up.

first day

I saw my first patient of the semester.  It was a class 2 patient; a patient that I did not expect my first day.  I never seen so much calculus in my life.  The patient's mouth was hard to scale.  He had some overlapping teeth, so it made it hard to scale by the interproxmal places.  I was able to get to scalling, but I was not able to get the first quad done.