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!)