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!)