Turning the Tables

In clinic on Wednesday, I worked on Heather Taua.  What a cute girl.  I started by looking over her health history (there were no changes to be noted).  I took her bp, p, and r.  I performed an intra/extra oral exam.  I am feeling more comfortable with those exams.  I remember working with the second years at the WHC and as I performed the extra oral exams I really didnt even know what I was looking for.  I understand more now.  We took probing measurements.  I found it alot easier to get accurate readings on posterior teeth, which is backwards from what I expected.  I was pleased to have been close to my instructors measurements (well, the TA's).  We charted any changes in dental anatomy and pathology.  I still find it difficult to know what to look for when searching for suspicious lesions (caries, specifically).  Its easy to tell whether they have an apthus ulcer, but not so easy to know whether or not that small spot on their mouth indicates a caries or something else.  I need to learn more about different filling options as well.  I really have a hard time knowing what Im looking for as I chart restoration materials, etc.  My exam in radiology helped to get me more familiar, but I feel Im behind in this regard because I never worked for a dentist.  Continued exposure will help, Im sure.  I charted perio...Heather was healthy, as you would expect.  Then I was able to start scaling.  I passed off my universal instrumentation and adaptation, angulation, and activation PE's.  Not too bad.  It was a great review day.  I was grateful for it.