They say there is a first time for everything...

Well today was by far very interesting. This morning was learning the computers and the set up of how everything works yada yada. In the afternoon we had a patient, I can now say I have seen my first transgendered patient, yes you heard right, I will call her a she, but I was not entirely sure... I was told ahead of time that I should be aware and ready and for odd remarks or conversation, great, I was already nervous! So she is wheel chair bound and we brought her back, I didn't know quite how to ask if she preferred being called miss or mister, but she had a female name, so I assumed she thought of herself as female, (she was also wearing massive heels, a mini skirt and a tank top, keep in mind this is an older woman) but then my instructors at times called her him, yeah, just a little bit awkward. All in all I was able to complete her appointment (with some awesome help) and she turned out to be very nice and cooperative. (might I add when I lead her back up front she put her power chair on full speed, and almost ran me over, that chair got some serious air!) Considering it all I things went great and I was able to treat her as any other patient. I am sure glad tomorrow is my day off because I am one tired girl!

What is flossing?

Well today was a little rough, first day bringing back patients in, lets see, three months! My first pt was a class II and didn't know what flossing was, she had never flossed... I was happy to introduce it to her! She had green/brown calculus and I spent so much time trying to get it off (I should have used the ultrasonic, why did I hand scale the whole time?)... needless to say I didn't complete her treatment (felt like a failure) but hey did I say it's my first day back? ha ha. My afternoon pt was a 1B, so glad to have an easy pt. She had great oral hygiene and just a few areas of calculus on her lingual bar. I was able to finish her treatment so I felt good about that! My ergonomics went out the window, oops, and my sore back is paying for it right now, I think I'll go do some yoga...Tomorrow I am headed to the VA (veterans hospital) so wish me luck :)

first week back!

Well today is Saturday, marking our first week of senior year. Class was long on Monday, being used to our summer schedules and all. Clinic on Tuesday was a refresher on everything we had learned and forgotten over the summer. This Wednesday was an off day for me as are every Thursday, so that was nice and weird at the same time. Friday we have classes but I was excused to go to a continuing education course in Salt Lake on lasers in dentistry in, that was a long two days but we learned some cool stuff. Now that I am home and pretty darn tired, I am going over all of my classes and the things I need to have done before the new week starts up. I haven't seen a patient yet but have two on the schedule for Tuesday and I am kinda nervous, but I hope to get back in the groove and get stuff done! Stay tuned...

hallelujah!

TODAY was my LAST clinic day! Although here is how it went. So it was a sealant clinic and a bunch of kids were supposed to come up on a bus and have us clean their teeth and place sealants. (Which was great because I needed both of those requirements) Well the kids never showed up, I know right? Luckily Stephanie a senior student said I could clean her teeth and put a sealant on. I gratefully got it okay-ed to use her instead of a child and it all worked out! So relieved right about now that my requirements are finished. Now I'll be studying and taking a final today and the my last one next week and then hello summer!

almost there

1 PA, 2 Pano, 4 BTW, 3 PE's, 2 quads 1B, 1 sealant today. If only Monday's patient worked out I'd be DONE... Alas Friday's schedule: 4 quads 1A and a sealant. Holy Cow, the end is finally in sight, I believe I'll make it out alive now!

Today sucked, just gonna throw that out there, it's like I am doomed to fail. So I see a cute little girl 8 yrs old who let me take bws and clean her teeth (was going to seal her perm molars but they were already done) Next I tried to see her sister who was 6 would not let me do anything (I am now 4 quads short of a 1A) Which means I'll have to come on Friday to take xrays, see a child, and seal a tooth, :( I thought the end was near but it's looking pretty dim... I hope Wednesday actually goes according to plan!

pretend this says monday

oh man yesterday was quite the challenge... CA in the morning, class III pt in the afternoon, and the welcome event that night. Class III's are hard! Passed off two (technically 3) PE's if you count the CA one, I have 3 left to do, can't wait till they are done. I can see a pinpoint of light at the end of the tunnel but I am still worrying about all the requirements, it will get done though, I will do it!