Sealant Clinic

So for our community service learning class we go out to elementary schools and do screenings for sealants, cavities etc. Then we follow up with the children by bringing them in and doing free cleanings, cleanings and x rays. The ones with decay get to be referred to Give Kids a Smile where they do free dental treatment and for others who haven't had hygiene and x-rays we did that as well. I thought it was cool to get to work with all of the kids. Working on a child is a whole different animal. You have to be quick and keep them entertained etc. It makes you think on your feet. I think I just like kids cause I'm always around single adults all the time so when I get to see a little person its a treat.

Mockboard

So on February 4th my mockboard patient was pretty tough. It was a really good experience because she had really rough enamel. It was hard to tell at first if it was calculus or if it was enamel. I missed a few spots so when I was trying to get some off of her lower anterior teeth I slipped and poked myself with a bloody instrument. I had to write up a report and go with my patient to get our blood drawn. Thank heavens the tests have shown up negative and they said I had a low chance of getting anything.

Screenings

Screenings are so helpful! It allows you to see a bunch of people and just evaluate their periodontal situation. I found a few mockboard patients for myself as well as one for sarah. It was great! Time has flown by so fast! First you just come back from break and then BAM their are like three mockboards coming up before you know it!

Hooray for threes!

I got to OD a class III today. Its always nice when you get to do that. It just takes another bite out of our 36 quads of III's and IV's we have to get done. I think these ones are my favorites. Its so much fun to just get in there and get the job done. This patient had been a class III previously so I didn't know if he was going to be again. So often after they have been a III they usually are a class V at their next appointment. Which is good. I think we all get a little twisted after being here. You rejoice over deeper pocket depths and are disappointed when a patient is healthy, at least on their initial visit in your chair.

The first quad of a four!

Sometimes you begin to think there are just no such things as class 4s, but then the clouds part and lo and behold there it is sitting in your chair! I saw my first quad of a class four. It was great, he came in later to finish treatment and after placing arestin he had improved drastically! That is one of the neatest parts of hygiene for me. He was pretty happy and seemed like he wanted me to call him after I was graduated. That felt pretty good.

The constant battle of a hygiene student

I think one of the parts that has been most difficult for me in this program has been patient cancellations and no shows. Its hard when so much rides on having the right people in your chair. Somehow it has all worked out, its just stressful when you have 4 quads of an exam no show on you. I have been pretty blessed to have at least someone come in so I don't have an unproductive clinic session. It amazes me how many patients are on the resource list. Good for us though. :)

class II, III and canceled

This morning I had a class II pt. come in he was pretty good I missed two spots on him. It was the teeth I didn't double check before I got a scale check. It was good to realize I need to do shorter strokes and turn my instrument in more. My afternoon pt. canceled at lunch and I had to get a new one ASAP. Thank heavens I was able to get a hold of someone who ended up being a class III. We just did the OD because he wasn't able to pay for it today. I ended up helping Sarah with her screenings. She saw three people today! I think I'm going to do that more often as well. I really have to work hard because boards are so soon! Here we go! Our faculty is great though they have a lot of faith in us. That is super helpful!