Today went well. I still only got to OHI I need to find ways to get quicker and be more confident. And I hate that I find myself comparing my progress to where others are at. But I have to just keep it up the more practice the better I'll get. I still see myself improving (although microscopically) each time I probe, and I am getting faster just not quite fast enough. I am getting back into the ease of taking x-rays, it is helpful that I have done them in the office before. And scaling, oh man it has been forever (mostly because I never get that far, and I see a lot of new patients.) But it will be a fun time when I get there!

new patient

 I saw a new patient today, it was someone I had never met. I was even running a little late and ended up getting there right at 8 when the appointment starts, luckily my room was set up by my other pod members and while she was filling  out her health history I set up the room for x-rays. I was able to do the usual finish OD and also OHI, I can't wait till I am fast enough to scale on the first appointment. She actually had a lot of supragingival calculus which is the first time I have actually seen it on one of my patients. I can't wait to scale it off! I finished on time and was on time for pod wrap. We talked about ergonomics which I have been slacking on, I really REALLY need loupes! I need to find some way to get them but they are super expensive... Other than that I was able to take 3 tests yesterday and I will take my fourth one tomorrow after my classes and the review, then I will head up to Logan for my moms birthday. Another good day it has been and I am liking this happy phase, I hope it sticks around.

Today went better than I thought it would be. I actually was able to get the probe readings done faster than I had before, which is always my stress. I was able to take x-rays, hhx all of OD and OHI. Next appt with this pt will be scaling, which I am confident I can finish. There are days when I don't think I'll ever get better or faster, but I am realizing that with time and practice things become easier and I am grateful for that! It is always helpful to have a good day once in awhile to counteract all the lousy ones but I know I can't give up even when I want to. It's comforting to know that everyone else is going through the same things and it makes life much better when we help each other out.

Today went pretty well I finished a little less late than last time. I took x-rays, gave oral hygiene instruction and scaled two quads. Since Monday was a holiday today was our only clinic day of the week so I have a few classes tomorrow then the weekend comes again, it goes by fast sometimes, which is a very good thing. Except for one day I have the other clinic days of the month filled but next month is looking bare. I hope I can find more patients!

Slow but successful (I guess it depends how you look at it)

Today went a little slower than anticipated but I got through with the help of others. I saw a new patient (name withheld, have you heard of HIPPA?) Anywho the health history took up a good portion of the my time today but it was good for me to experience because I was able to learn and inform the pt about side effects and drug interactions that could occur. I think it will feel much more educated and comfortable with this after my dental medicine class is over. I was able to finish the OD which I didn't think I'd complete and I find that once again charting along with probing is not my strong point. But I realize it will get easier the more I do it. I had intentions of passing off a few PE's today but didn't have the chance to actually do them. This whole process is still really new to me and it's hard to remember everything but I hope I can get back in the groove and get a lot accomplished.

It will all work out!

Well well well today started out rough, let me explain. Pretty much I had been trying to schedule a patient all last week, over the weekend, the night before and then the day of. I wasn't having much luck, but my dear sweet father who was supposed to come back wednesday switched his work schedule at the last minute to be my patient today. What a GREAT dad I have! Anywho I was able to scale the last quad and polish his teeth and complete his treatment, I even finished on time. Prior to this semester I really didn't think it would be so difficult to get people to come in, but it can be quite the challenge. All in all I am grateful for those who are willing to support me in what I am doing!

second clinic day back at it

Today went better than expected. I was very close to finishing up on my dad and when I got to scaling it felt really natural and comfortable. I switched between my nebraska and barnhart easily while still using the explorer to detect for calculus. I got three of the four quads done and will finish up next time with the last quad, a polish and fluoride. I feel like I things are becoming easier for me and the more I do the more confident I feel. Time is always an issue I just need to get the whole system down and learn to do it quicker. I called my dad later on the phone and asked him how it went. He said "Well how would you like it if you were trying to take a nap and someone kept poking you with sharp things." Thanks dad, I only poked you a few times, I'm sure you'll get over it :)

Guess Who's Back?

Alright my blog, I am back in clinic and surprisingly I haven't forgotten as much as I thought I had (of course this is our first day back from a month long break). So I've been thinking and well my blog is feeling rather ultra-boring... so I guess I need to snaz it up! Not sure how this will come about but it's worth a try. Well today in clinic we learned how to use the ultrasonic scaler and so far it's annoying me I can't get the hang of it and I feel like it doesn't pull it's weight! I'm sure it will get easier the more I practice but it doesn't produce that specific scraping noise to tell me if I am getting off the calculus it's just an annoying high pitched buzz. Well then we learned how to use our Gracey's and those are pretty fun but a little confusing on instrument placement and proper working end I was particularly confused whilst using a 15/16 to scale the distal and I almost stumped my professor as well until she realized that um hello!? the 15/16 is for the mesial... yes it might help to be using the correct instrument! Once I corrected myself I could definitely hear that sweet sweet sound and all was well until I decided to confuse myself again but don't worry I don't care to share any more on my confusion. I'll just end by saying that I see my dad for the second time this wednesday and I'm anticipating it will be a lot of work but I'll let you know how it goes!