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!