TA

So I figure I need to write about being a TA in first year clinic. I absolutely love it! The students are so much fun, and Ive reviewed so much! I enjoy going around helping to teach and improve thier skill level. It brought back so many memories. I think I am more paranoid about my posture now because we stress that so much! Kristen Hafen especially. Its good. I find myself tweeking a few things when I see pts. Its a good reminder of the basics.

Emergency drill

So I volunteered to be part of a college of health science mock emergency. We had a pt start in DH with a heart attack, transfer to the Emergence Response people then to a fake hospital bed to be worked over by the respiratory therapy, nursing and CLS people. The health administrative students helped plan as well. It was overall a cool thing. I got to be an assistant and administer oxygen as well as act like a distressed family member at the fake hospital. It was fun actually and I learned a lot. Savanna pretended to be the pts wife. She was good. It was pretty funny for the situation. At one point in time she yelled after him "I love you Waldo". It was cool to see how it all worked out. I dont think I would want to watch everything that happens in the hospital on a real family member in the ER.

Tonsils that look like lava

So we had a lab with three different stations. One was the Velscope and oral cancer detection device. It helps you see abnormal cells. I was the pt for part of the time. I was just about recovered from a cold so my tonsils had some pretty fun stuff in them. Apparently they were flaming red and looked like lava! That was kinda cool, as long as I know I dont have oral cancer! The next station was emergency situations. It was a really good review. We role played and I had to pretend like I was convulsing. Not such a great actress with this one I just verbalized it for the most part. The third and final station was wheelchair transfers. We pushed each other around the building. It was pretty sweet. Then we practice transfering each other. I must admit it was fun to be lifted up and put in the other chair. I felt pretty confident about it all. At the end I was practicing on someone and they had Mr. Solomon come in. He is a pretty good sized person. I felt like a fish in a fishbowl as everyone watched me move him from the wheelchair to the dental chair. It wasn't too bad a bit awkward but a good experience overall.

Stain

This entry is about one of my pts who drinks tea all of the time. She had some pretty bad staining. It was neat to see the difference when I was done with her. Its discouraging though when I think about it because I know she is just going to keep drinking tea and get have her stain back in no time! Later when I was helping the first years to learn the air powder polisher I thought about her adn how she would have been a perfect candidate for it.

Small world, looking back

One clinic session I had a returning pt. from first year. She was super nice! I just remember how long it took me to do her OD then and how long it took me a few weeks ago. It was pretty cool! First year it took forever! This time it was done in like 45 minutes. That time could still be improved, but it was encouraging to see my progress. While talking to her during the appt. I found out she knows my roommate. Its just crazy sometimes what a small world it is.

4 for 4

So one week in clinic for both WSU and the VA I had 4 pts. scheduled. Every single pt I had originally scheduled either no showed or cancelled last minute! I know someone was watching out for me because I still saw 4 pts that week. They actually ended up being more of what I needed than the ones I had scheduled. At least one of them was a class III who I gave injections to, and the other ended up being an eaglesoft pt. It was a pretty crazy week, but in the end it all worked out.

Cancellations!

So the afternoon I was supposed to have 2 1A pts come in turned out different than expected. They ended up not being able to come. The same thing happened to Denver! So here we were on our last day of Fall clinic still needing 1A's and had none. We frantically called names off the resource list. One pt. was able to come in for me thank heavens, but she didn't have any luck. She arranged to come in this Thursday in hopes of having patients then. I couldn't do that because I have VA on Thursday. So my one pt. came, and I called a pt Julie knew. They said they would come in but later called reporting a flat tire! What a crazy day! At least I got one in and more PE's. My advice to anyone is dont save requirements you need for the last day of clinic. Plan as far ahead as possible.

Progress

I think that I'm not the most creative person when it comes to titles for my blogs but it makes sense for this one. I had a eighteen year old patient who had never had a cleaning in his life. I would just touch his gums and he would bleed profusely. He ended up being a class III so the first appt. I anestatized him and cleaned one quad. He would have been a perfect board patient! The calculus came off so well, and there was plenty of it! Id just feel horrible if I made him wait that long. He was very anxious to improve and after some instruction on proper home care he was off. When I saw him for the next appt. His tissues had changed dramatically for the better. It was pretty awesome to see! He barely bled at all in that quadrant! This was such a good pt. experience! Its cool to see such a big difference!

Blogging

Well I just realized I seriously need to blog so here goes! I'll try to catch up on whats happened in the past. I had a patient a few weeks ago that would have been a perfect board patient! He was very dependable and had plenty of calculus that just popped off perfectly! It was pretty fun I got to anestatize (if thats how you spell it)as well! I love injections for some reason! I think I'm a weird person but I just love this stuff!

PE's!

So this morning both Denver and I didn't have patients. It is the last day of clinic for the semester so we decided to pass off PE's on each other. This is exactly what I needed! We had fun as well and I was able to have my last sealant done! I love sealants! It was a pretty productive morning and I got to see my blood glucose level and my blood pressure. I was pretty happy. I hope the two kids in the afternoon work out well too!

Lab

So this morning we had a lab where we learned about wheelchair transfers, emergency situations, desensitization, and velscope. It was pretty interesting. My tonsil showed up super red under the velscope! Makes sense cause I was sick a few days ago. Thank heavens thats over! The emergency situations thing really helped I needed a review for sure! Wheelchair transfers was funny. I got to be pushed and push people around in a wheelchair for a bit. Then we transfered each other from the wheelchair to the dental chair. I was a patient for a bit it wasn't too bad at all. Eventually we had Mr. Solomon come in so we could get an idea of how it would really be to transfer someone. I was the only one who transferred him. It was pretty funny everyone was watching me. It wasn't too bad. I think I got the hang of it.
This afternoons patient was half class 5 half class 3. I applied oraqix for the first time that was cool. Not too difficult, it seemed to help. She had a hard time with the ultrasonic though. The water was a bit much for her. Luckily I was able to pass off a few PE's and get her done. Some days I feel fast other days I just dont know. Today was one of those slow days I think. Sometimes I just want to forget about all the stuff we have to pass off and get checked and just go to work on my patients. I know that stuff is necessary, but I'm anxious to just get out there and treat people! One day Ill be ready. Its so amazing how much I've learned! This has been one amazing journey!

स्क्रीनिंग Mockboards

वो इ हवेंट बीन ओं थिस फॉर अव्हिले! वेल आईटी वास अ वीक बेफोरे मोक्क्बोअर्ड्स एंडइ दिदं'टी हवे अ पीटी। सो इ कामे इन एंड दीद अ स्क्रीनिंग ओं थिस गाए व्हो हद नेवर बीन इन फॉर अ क्लेअनिंग इन हिस व्होले लाइफ। हे क़ुअलिफ़िएद, बुत कोउल्दं'टी शो उप बेकाउसे ऑफ़ वर्क। सो इ हक थ्री पतस स्चेदुलेद फॉर स्क्रीनिंगस थे नेक्स्ट क्लीनिक सेस्सिओं। तवो ऑफ़ थेम हद नेवर हद्द क्लेअनिंग्स ठिर व्होले लिवेस! सो थे फर्स्ट ओने वास अ स्वीट स्पेनिश स्पेअकिंग वूमन व्हो वास कोम्प्लेतेली अदोराब्ले! शे क़ुअलिफ़िएद नो प्रॉब्लम। थें इ हद हेर डॉटर व्हो वास अ क्लास ई सो इ गोत हेर स्चेदुलेद फॉर लेटर। थे थिर्द क़ुअलिफ़िएद अस वेल सो सरहवास अबले तो हवे अ बोर्ड पीटी अस वेल! इ फेल्ट रेअल्ली गुड अबाउट ठाट डे। इ दीद तवो स्क्रीनिंग्स व्हो बोथ एंडेड उप बीइंग मोक्क्बोअर्ड्स एंड इ ओद'डी अ तवो! ओने ऑफ़ माय गोअल्स इस तो गेट फास्टर एंड ठाट मदे में फील बेत्टर।

Tenacious calculus, oraqix and occlusion

Today my first patient didn't show up. I was kicking myself for not calling to remind them about the appointment. Don't ever assume they just remember. Thank heavens my backup pt was able to come! I was able to finish him today so that was good! This afternoon was a good learning experience. my pt was really sensitive on her maxillary anteriors so I got to see oraqix used for the first time. She also had tenacious calculus on those same teeth it was interesting to feel what that felt like. I had to apply a lot more lateral pressure to get it to come off. It was definitely a good experience. I only missed two spots on everyone total today. That made me pretty happy. One day I wont miss any. Really everyday I'm in clinic I feel more and more confident about calculus detection. I really do enjoy this profession. It was great to apply what we learned in DH class yesterday about sweeping around the distals of the second molars with a toed instrument. It worked wonders, and it helps with the mandibular anteriors as well.

Greatful for a very well behaved 5 yr. old!

Wow this morning was pretty crazy! I had a 1a pt who had to go to preschool so we were only able to get a sealant done this morning. I wished I would have scheduled someone else after him. Thank heavens he was so good because everything that could have gone wrong pretty much did! We had to change tips on the etchant like 3 times! The sealant dropped and the air powder polisher and light were not working! The light wasnt charged so we had to grab the plug in one. I was so glad that one worked! Well we got through it I was so greatful for Katee's help I dont think I could have kept that dry by myself. I have to say though that it made a huge difference that the pt we had was just wonderful! I cant imagine trying to do what we did on an unruly 5 yr. old.

We're Back!

Today was my first day back treating patients. I remember last year at this time and I just cant believe this is me now! I wasn't really which is cool! This is getting to be something I'm more comfortable with I think. I say that now but who knows what I'll say in like a week! Really I just love this stuff! One concern of mine for sure is finding a good board pt. It was really neat in May cause I got to be the Chief Examiners Assistant for boards. She is a really neat lady! I really enjoyed that experience! I learned a lot and I feel a little better about the whole clinical board thing just cause I got to be there. What a blessing that was! I know I really have had a lot of help with everything. I was really just happy to have people to work on today! That in itself was a blessing cause yesterday is when I scheduled everyone I had no one before that! Crazy stuff! I definitely am going to schedule earlier now. Oh and its so much faster now! I feel a lot better about probing and everything. We will have to see what this afternoon has in store...

Class III time!

So yesterday in clinic I OD a class III I dont think Ive ever been so happy to see 6mm pocket depths in my life! Soo selfish but Im glad I at least get to work on her. She ended up having to leave early for work so I couldn't start scaling, but Katie had a class III she didn't need so I got a quad done on her! So I have to finish all the rest of my PE's and three quads of a three tomorrow. Oh I hope it all goes well! Im just glad I have a three to work on! Its funny how at the end of the semester it seems like you have more patients than you even have time for. At the beginning it was stressful to just try and fill your schedule!

Hooray for peer pals!

So I think the most stressful part of this whole experience for me has been the clinical experience. Just because I am worried about getting a patient and having them be able to help me out with my requirements. I dont really like asking people to come in and pay money when they already have insurance and could go get a cleaning somewhere else for free. It is good for those people that dont have insurance though and since Pam got the insurance codes people have been getting reimbursed. I guess its not that bad. I have learned sooo much! Its been pretty amazing! Most recently I think my biggest stress has been to find three 1a's and a class 3. I brought someone in once thinking they were a 1a but they didn't have any primary teeth anymore so I just used her as a 1b exam. That was great. Oh so Kim helped me with my 1as and so did Lindsay so that was awesome! It helps sooo much when you just work together! I love that we all get along so well! So to go with the title of this blog I am sooo greatful for a peer pal! Camille has been sooo helpful. She helped me get my 3 as well as Katie G. That helped lift a weight off my shoulders! Plus she has given me a bunch of patients to see senior year so I am pretty happy about that! Thanks Camille!

1A's are done!

Today was pretty productive. I saw two patients. Lindsay had one she let me scale. She just had to OD the sealants, and then I had the cutest little three year old come in. She was just adorable. It was pretty good I really needed to get my 1A's finished. Only two more clinic days I cant believe it! Oh and what a blessing my pt didnt show up monday so Mckenna gave me another 1A. She was great I was able to pass off a few PE's on her as well. I just love how we all work together! It just helps sooo much. Thanks to all of you who have helped me out! It just helps relieve so much stress! Also I was going to take a pano on my pt monday but he didnt show. I was trying to figure out when I could take one and then in oral pathology yesterday I got to take one on a classmate so we could all see what was going on with her jaw. That was a blessing! It was interesting also cause it looked like the head of the condyle broke off and refused somewhere else.

1a

Finishing my class II's

Today was awesome! I saw my very last class II patient. She was actually a class V but they gave me a class II. I actually finished her early and was able to pass off a PE. One of the best parts actually was that the OHI we discussed last time really helped. It was great to hear something you told someone was tried and that it worked! I was a bit nervous this morning before clinic and that made it all worth it! i think thats one of my favorite parts about this is when you can make a difference in someone. Well I hope it keeps getting better. I can't believe we only have a month left!

To get a 1a or not to get a 1a that is the question

Today I had my very first patient under 13 years of age. I was hoping she was going to be a 1a but she had no primary teeth left. Bummer, but what can ya do? It wasn't that bad though cause I finished her and got 6 sealants done and gave 2 to Savanna. I also was able to pass off a PE so that was good. It was pretty fun in the end. I have to say shes my favorite patient so far. Oh and my Home Teacher came over Sunday and might have a class III for me so I am really hopeful! Pretty much thats all I have to do besides 1a's so thats good! I should have all my PAs taken by this Friday cause Jessica had a pt she did a screening on who needs an FMX but she doesn't need it for her requirements so she gave it to me. I am excited about that. Thanks!

Early!

So today I was actually like 30 minutes early for clinic! I was pretty excited cause I'm not exactly the most prompt person in the world. I am usually squeezing in with just enough time to set up the basic stuff. Today however I was on it! Yea! I saw a 1b pt she was way nice and wanting to go into dental hygiene also. It was fun to show her different things about clinic. It dawned on me I could take a Pano so that was cooland she needs sealants next time so I am really greatful! Really I know someone is watching out for me. I didn't even have a pt until Alisha asked in class yesterday if anyone wanted to help her with a family. My hand shot up pretty quick. K side note ya just have to be greatful for kids they rock! I am sitting here typing and there are two of them probably waiting for an appointment just riding the elevator up and down. Its great, so anyway back to clinic I was hoping to finish her today, but x rays took longer cause of the pano and everything so I wasnt able to. So far I haven't finished someone in one appointment yet, but I am hopeful. Well I'm off now so bye til next time! :)

Cancellations and High Blood Pressure

Today was pretty crazy I called to remind my patient about their appointment and they told me they had called and left a message a week ago that they had to cancel. I didn't get the message so I was frantically trying to find a patient for this afternoon. Luckily my friend could come in so I was all sorts of happy. However when I took his blood pressure he had stage one hypertension, which means physician consult time! Crazy stuff we ended up dismissing him for the day with a consult paper in hand. I hope he goes to get it checked he is only 23 years old. So I ended up getting three PE's done. I really needed to do that so that was good. I almost had a patient cause there was someone at the front desk who wanted to get in, but had to be to work by 2:00. Then the other person I had left a message with this morning couldnt come this afternoon, but we got her scheduled next week. So it wasnt a total loss thank heavens! Now off I go to study Oral Pathology!

My first time using the ultrasonic on a real patient

Today I scaled two quads of a class two patient with radiographic calculus. The ultrasonic sped it up sooo much it was great! I am glad that there is technology out there to help us do our job better. It was a good learning experience today. I also enjoyed doing oral cancer screenings at the student union building. Its always a good learning experience. I feel more confident doing intra and extra oral exams everytime I do this. Also what we learned in oral pathology was helpful this week. It was about oral cancer and also several different kinds of normal that we will see in a clinical setting. I saw geographic tongue today. If Vikki wasnt there to tell me what it was I would have thought he had cancer. Its just interesting to see different things. Another person came back in and pointed out a lesion on his palate. I guess his sister had something removed previously so he was concerned. He was just outside the door looking at our poster so I asked him to come in. Shaylee got a patient out of it so that was good! We also talked to a bunch of people about oral cancer they really didn't know how serious it is. Education is a huge part of this profession I am discovering more and more. Also I thought it was really good to be thorough doing these screenings cause I almost overlooked a couple of things. It is so easy to miss its so important to take the time and do a good job. You could possibly save a life if you find something early. I learned not to be afraid of looking a bit more carefully. Id rather be safe than know I could have helped someone out and missed it completely.

Lab

Last weeks lab was a very good thing for me. We went over the phosphur plates, ultrasonics, graceys, and the diagnodent. I found out I didn't have a cavity I was suspicious of, that was great! It also helped cause I'd never seen a diagnodent before, and the rest of the things we went over I was struggling with. Now I feel much better about using this equipment. It was a great lab and a relief to not have to find someone to work on as well. Thanks bunches!

Radiographic Calculus!!!

Today was an adventure I was greatful to have a patient come in. The one I had for today ended up getting cleaned on Monday cause he forgot his appointment was today. It worked out really well though cause Shaylce's pt. cancelled so she was able to have someone. I was talking to my friend before I knew this happened and he said Wednesdays in the AM worked best for him so I gave him a call. It worked out great! I am greatful for friends! I was just thinking today actually if it wasn't for church and institute I wouldn't have hardly anyone to work on! That pt. swap was a blessing for both of us I think so that was cool. It was also neat cause he ended up being a class II with radiographic calculus, and I got to take a FMX on him so that was good. I still need to work on PE's, but so far so good with the other stuff! It was just hard taking x-rays cause he had such long roots! I had to do like 6 retakes, one of which the instructor couldn't even get without exposing him a bunch more so we stopped. Its tougher with the digital I think. I like it cause its instant, but they are so bulky and it caused him to gag. Kristin showed me a good trick with that she said you cant breathe and gag at the same time so he took short quick breaths and it helped. :) Today was pretty crazy but it was a really good experience. I am totally stoked about the calculus I get to work on next time he comes in! I know I'm a total nerd but I wasn't the only one who got excited, everyone I told thought it was pretty cool also. Some crazy awesome bunch of people I hang out with huh! :) (Wow this blog was all over the place!)

Plaque and Probing

Well Mondays patient was fun he was such a tease, but it was good. It is harder to probe I found when you have to get rid of the plaque first to see what the measurement is. I think next time Ill just brush it off and show him a demo first maybe. Well at least I know now what I taught him is working so it should be better next time. That will be cool to see. It was interesting to see and feel what caries was also. Well ta ta for now!

That made my day!

Today I got to clinic and my unit was all clean and set up. Thanks to whoever did that. So that was nice to start out with. I was nervous because I had to scale my first class II pt. today. It was nice to have that done and out of the way. Treatment went really good today. I got some tips from Professor Costley and others which helped make things easier. I like it when they come over to see how you are doing. Just the smallest thing makes all the difference! I was thrilled to death cause I only missed like three spots and finished all of scaling today! It was awesome! I think I am getting better at feeling what calculus feels like. Its neat. Well that was great and I am going to see her again in the fall so yipee for another patient! Anyway I think I love this way too much. ;) My patient from Monday called to tell me thanks for helping him brush better its been working, and the girl today said the mouthwash I gave her really helped. I think that is going to be another cool part of this career is seeing improvements in people. I think OHI is so imperative. I think a lot of people miss out on that. Just take an extra minute to really help the patient. Its great. Anyway I feel like someone is definitely watching out for me no doubt. I am so greatful for that. Somehow if you just try it all works out in the end.

Class II yipee!

Today I had my first patient I didn't know. It was a girl from an e-mail. I was nervous, but she was nice so it made it work out well. I was expecting her to be a 1b but she ended up being a class II so I was glad, but sad for her. I hope we can get her in better shape with what we went over . It was good I really have a passion for this! I look forward to seeing changes in people for the better! That will be awesome! I am realizing more the importance of good OHI. I really dont think people get that enough. Sure we tell them what to do and how to do it but having them show you is so much better! I dont remember anyone ever doing that for me until I got into the program. Sometimes I think we just rush too much and don't take time out for the most important stuff. It was good to see and feel more of what abnormal tissue is like, and I was happy because my x-rays were good and I didn't have to do any retakes! Well I just keep learning so much. This has been a great experience, even though its stressful at times.

Were Back

Today was my second official patient and first patient of the semester. I think it went okay I missed some things on my OD it was good to see what some abnormal things look like so I know what to look for next time. Mostly I was just thrilled to have a patient. That has been my biggest worry. I am so greatful for good friends! During the appointment I had a moment where it just dawned on me, "hey I'm actually doing this! wow!" I guess Ive just seen hygienists work for years and now it hits wow I am doing what they are, crazy! Its neat I hope someday I can be at least as good as them too!