Today I was able to complete 4 quads of a Class III/IV; take intraoral photos of my class IV patient for my project; pass off 3 PEs; get 10 LA experiences; it was a great day!
I learned how difficult it can be to clean a maxillary quadrant! Holy majelin! Thank goodness Joy was there to assist me. His deposits were among the stubbornest Ive ever seen. I was grateful that even with that, I missed only two areas when scale check came around. Good day I would say!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Heather M = Ms. Congeniality
Heather just saved my tail feathers...again!!! This girl is the sweetest thing on two legs. I was hopeful that my morning patient would classify as a class III in at least 2 quadrants but as I probed and looked at her xrays, I quickly realized that she had started taking care of her teeth and that she was only a class V. That is FANTASTIC for her, but I was bummed. Heather, by contrast, found yet another stunningly difficult patient and because she already has 3 class IVs on her wrap sheet she offered to switch places with me so that I could use him for my class IV project. Is that not the kindest, most charitable thing to do for a person? I was super grateful and it gave me the opportunity to get 2 more local anesthesia experiences. I haven't had anesthesia patients since last semester (which is strange, because last semester I was giving injections left and right). Apparently, my craft needs a little fine tuning. This was the first time I had to adjust my approach...but in all fairness, his anatomy was much less distinguished than other patients I have treated. He was a very cooperative patient, however. He has never had a cleaning and he was told to have a cleaning before he has some needed extractions. There were a number of teeth that were so mobile that I was genuinely concerned I would pull them out with my scaler. I learned last year to use a finger to secure the occlusal plane as I instrument mobile teeth so I did that. It helped. I was super happy that I missed zero areas!
My afternoon patient was a class III...I was super excited. He has calculus deposits on nearly every tooth surface. I am using him as my backup for mockboards if I don't find a patient that is a little less challenging before then. After taking 11 PAs (!!) on the poor man, I brought him back to have him assessed by Dr Hanson. We agreed that he would be a very challenging patient but she assured me that she was confident that I could definitely pull it off. We were 45 minutes away from walkout but she asked if I felt I could get through a quadrant of cleaning so that I could evaluate how easily his calculus deposits could be removed. I decided to give it gusto and to try. I zoomed and I was pleased with the turnout. I had to throw in the towel there at the end because we have to absolutely have our patients out by 330. I would have finished him by using my slimline and afterward, doing a ultra fine exploratory look around, but even without these things I only missed 4 places...and they were miniscule easily picked up with an explorer. I had debrided all of the deeper root surfaces and the only deposits left were along the margins. I did learn that its okay to use a nevi along the distal surface of a third molar. That was surprising and helpful.
Funny story (insert later)
My afternoon patient was a class III...I was super excited. He has calculus deposits on nearly every tooth surface. I am using him as my backup for mockboards if I don't find a patient that is a little less challenging before then. After taking 11 PAs (!!) on the poor man, I brought him back to have him assessed by Dr Hanson. We agreed that he would be a very challenging patient but she assured me that she was confident that I could definitely pull it off. We were 45 minutes away from walkout but she asked if I felt I could get through a quadrant of cleaning so that I could evaluate how easily his calculus deposits could be removed. I decided to give it gusto and to try. I zoomed and I was pleased with the turnout. I had to throw in the towel there at the end because we have to absolutely have our patients out by 330. I would have finished him by using my slimline and afterward, doing a ultra fine exploratory look around, but even without these things I only missed 4 places...and they were miniscule easily picked up with an explorer. I had debrided all of the deeper root surfaces and the only deposits left were along the margins. I did learn that its okay to use a nevi along the distal surface of a third molar. That was surprising and helpful.
Funny story (insert later)
Friday, January 20, 2012
Caught Up in the Moments
This week it hit me that I'm not going to be a dental hygiene student forever.
There are a lot of exciting things that I look forward to experiencing as a licensed hygienist but I will genuinely miss being with my peers and mentors in this program!
I've loved listening to Karlie W's way of teaching her patients about their oral conditions, etc. There's so much cheerfulness and enthusiasm inflected in her voice. I've loved being around as Adrienne and Kelsey bring out the craziest sides of themselves together. It's been nice having Michelle and Karen around to share their years and years of experiences in the dental field. There's probably no dental mystery out there that could elude them. Jamie and Jodie have the best comedic timing and their funny comments ALWAYS get a laugh. I've admired that Heather M puts so much thought into others and making sure their needs are met. I've loved knowing that if I ever have a question about the material we are studying, Kristie is just a text away. Brooke leaves the most thoughtful comments on our blogs. She always makes certain that we know that we are not alone in our frustrations (or in the celebrating of our successes!). Stefanie has the sweetest smile of all of us I think. She's so approachable and friendly. Love it. Maren is so good-natured...I love how easily she laughs at herself, and its fun to watch her and Karlie N together. MeChel fears noone and says exactly what she's thinking and I LOVE it, and there have been numerous times I've appreciated Marianne's "lets-get-to-it-iveness." Tori is so down to earth, and she has the answers for everything clinic-related. Sarah says the things we all want to say but fear to say...thanks for that! Leigh's always the one to catch the comments that are drowned out by the class and right when you decide no one heard you, she makes sure to let you know someone was paying attention to you. Kayla is great about that too! Gosh, how I could go on...I love reading dental hygiene blogs and knowing that I'm not alone in whatever is going on that week. I love having 29 other people to keep me in check. I've appreciated how we always take care of one another. I've loved having the professors that we do. We know, above anything else, that they are an advocate for us, and I think that goes a long way. I love that we can laugh with them, learn from them, dance with them, party with them, share our concerns with them, joke with them, etc etc etc. I've appreciated having friends that understand my lingo. I try to explain the craziness of my life to my friends and family and if I'm lucky they'll understand maybe 30% of the things I'm talking about. Its just so much better getting to class and being able to vent to my peers. I love how we have type A written all over us. I love being able to call over my shoulder for Dr. Naylor when I know my patient has caries but I'm too chicken to say it out loud. It's going to be a whole different ball game when we can't second guess ourselves anymore!
Today I paused to watch all of us go about our busy routines in clinic...each of us has come so far. Boards are upon us and I guess we're to that point where we have to be ready...I imagine we all are, but it's going to feel very foreign when we are on the other side of graduation and we don't have the power of what? 38 (or so) individuals on our side, reassuring us and making us feel like a thousand bucks each day?
Everyone, thanks for making me feel like a thousand bucks each day. This program has been a blessing in many ways. It, of course, gives me the knowledge and skills necessary to make dental hygiene a lucrative career. It also enables me to utilize my strengths in such a way I can meaningfully help others. It gives me a strong network of friends that I can resource throughout my career. This program possesses so many qualities that I have come to value and I look forward to every day I have left here.
There are a lot of exciting things that I look forward to experiencing as a licensed hygienist but I will genuinely miss being with my peers and mentors in this program!
I've loved listening to Karlie W's way of teaching her patients about their oral conditions, etc. There's so much cheerfulness and enthusiasm inflected in her voice. I've loved being around as Adrienne and Kelsey bring out the craziest sides of themselves together. It's been nice having Michelle and Karen around to share their years and years of experiences in the dental field. There's probably no dental mystery out there that could elude them. Jamie and Jodie have the best comedic timing and their funny comments ALWAYS get a laugh. I've admired that Heather M puts so much thought into others and making sure their needs are met. I've loved knowing that if I ever have a question about the material we are studying, Kristie is just a text away. Brooke leaves the most thoughtful comments on our blogs. She always makes certain that we know that we are not alone in our frustrations (or in the celebrating of our successes!). Stefanie has the sweetest smile of all of us I think. She's so approachable and friendly. Love it. Maren is so good-natured...I love how easily she laughs at herself, and its fun to watch her and Karlie N together. MeChel fears noone and says exactly what she's thinking and I LOVE it, and there have been numerous times I've appreciated Marianne's "lets-get-to-it-iveness." Tori is so down to earth, and she has the answers for everything clinic-related. Sarah says the things we all want to say but fear to say...thanks for that! Leigh's always the one to catch the comments that are drowned out by the class and right when you decide no one heard you, she makes sure to let you know someone was paying attention to you. Kayla is great about that too! Gosh, how I could go on...I love reading dental hygiene blogs and knowing that I'm not alone in whatever is going on that week. I love having 29 other people to keep me in check. I've appreciated how we always take care of one another. I've loved having the professors that we do. We know, above anything else, that they are an advocate for us, and I think that goes a long way. I love that we can laugh with them, learn from them, dance with them, party with them, share our concerns with them, joke with them, etc etc etc. I've appreciated having friends that understand my lingo. I try to explain the craziness of my life to my friends and family and if I'm lucky they'll understand maybe 30% of the things I'm talking about. Its just so much better getting to class and being able to vent to my peers. I love how we have type A written all over us. I love being able to call over my shoulder for Dr. Naylor when I know my patient has caries but I'm too chicken to say it out loud. It's going to be a whole different ball game when we can't second guess ourselves anymore!
Today I paused to watch all of us go about our busy routines in clinic...each of us has come so far. Boards are upon us and I guess we're to that point where we have to be ready...I imagine we all are, but it's going to feel very foreign when we are on the other side of graduation and we don't have the power of what? 38 (or so) individuals on our side, reassuring us and making us feel like a thousand bucks each day?
Everyone, thanks for making me feel like a thousand bucks each day. This program has been a blessing in many ways. It, of course, gives me the knowledge and skills necessary to make dental hygiene a lucrative career. It also enables me to utilize my strengths in such a way I can meaningfully help others. It gives me a strong network of friends that I can resource throughout my career. This program possesses so many qualities that I have come to value and I look forward to every day I have left here.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
2nd Mockboard
I feel so much gratitude for today. We had our second mockboard and it couldn't have gone better, to be honest. Heather found me a great, cooperative patient who was really fun to talk with during the appointment. In the morning I was an examiner and my findings were more in line with our professors' findings than last time...by mucho! I was glad about that. During our downtime we were asked to take a mock written LA board and it that exam is any representation of what the real board will be like, I realize that I have little to worry about. I got an 88/100. I did learn some things that are going to help me in the future. Then came mock clinical board in the afternoon. My patient was on time and patient and wonderful. I felt bad for the girls that had more difficult patients to manage...I hear some of their patients were super sensitive and heavy bleeders, etc. That was what my last mockboard patient was like and I know how difficult that was. My heart goes out to them. Today went smoothly, I felt so calm it was creepy almost, and I just jabbered and cleaned the whole time. I finished a half hour early and decided there wasnt anything else I could do so I sent him for his check. NO ERRORS! except that I supposed one tooth had recession when, in fact, it was just abfraction. In the future, I was told that I can state on my form that I measured a tooth from its level of abfraction, but because I didnt write that, I was docked the 2.5 pts...no matter. That left me at 97.5!!!!!!! Not too shabby! and you know what, ILL TAKE IT!!! Bring it on Boards!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Moving right along
Today I was lucky and got to treat a Class III patient. He had various depths of pockets varying from 3-11mm! His lateral incisors were positioned directly behind his centrals and cuspids on his maxillary arch. It took a lot of time and extra careful exploring to make sure I cleared out all of the deposit but in the end I was successful! I completed three quadrants and missed nothing! He had third molars (all but one was fully erupted) and Prof Alexander explained that by adjusting my fulcrum just a bit I could reach that buccal surfaces of his maxillary 3rds a whole lot easier. I was grateful for the help.
Tender Mercies are fun to see and today I experienced one firsthand. My afternoon patients cancelled while I was cleaning my morning patient. During lunch I called people from the resource list and from my planner but noone could come in this afternoon. I really wanted to utilize my day the best I could. That is when Kristie dropped by and told me to talk to Mr soloman about scheduling a lady named "sylvia". She couldnt remember her last name but Mr Soloman thought about it for a second and finally remembered that her name was actually Sonia and I called to see if she was available. No answer. Then a lady drops by and wants to talk to MR Soloman and wouldn't you know it...it was HER! She came in hoping to be seen and I was able to treat her! That was such a neat experience.
Oh and I need to remind myself to treat Heather McKay to something extra special. She found me a Mockboard patient for next Tuesday. Thanks Heather! You are super sweet and I truly appreciate you.
Great day.
Tender Mercies are fun to see and today I experienced one firsthand. My afternoon patients cancelled while I was cleaning my morning patient. During lunch I called people from the resource list and from my planner but noone could come in this afternoon. I really wanted to utilize my day the best I could. That is when Kristie dropped by and told me to talk to Mr soloman about scheduling a lady named "sylvia". She couldnt remember her last name but Mr Soloman thought about it for a second and finally remembered that her name was actually Sonia and I called to see if she was available. No answer. Then a lady drops by and wants to talk to MR Soloman and wouldn't you know it...it was HER! She came in hoping to be seen and I was able to treat her! That was such a neat experience.
Oh and I need to remind myself to treat Heather McKay to something extra special. She found me a Mockboard patient for next Tuesday. Thanks Heather! You are super sweet and I truly appreciate you.
Great day.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
...and Weeee're back!!!
MY LAST SEMESTER OF COLLEGE STARTS TODAY!
Today I learned an important lesson about patient positioning.
My morning patient was a cute young girl who was referred to me as a possible board patient by a former graduate of my program. Unfortunately, she had a probe reading of 7mm, which exceeds what we are allowed, and her calculus was not tenacious enough. Even more unfortunate was the fact that I bombed in calculus removal today on the lower molars, but Dr Hanson helped me to realize why. She said she was having difficulty reaching the areas that I missed because of my patients head position. Due to her thick ponytail, her chin was down throughout the appt and it made it harder for me to scale those places thoroughly. I will not allow that mistake to occur again.
I paid more attention to my patients positioning in the afternoon and while this patient had calculus that was a thousand times more diffuse and tenacious than my morning patient, I missed ZERO spots! I was able to pass off a root debridement PE on this patient. That felt nice!
At least I ended well! Great lesson to re-learn on the first day of Spring Semester 2012!
Today I learned an important lesson about patient positioning.
My morning patient was a cute young girl who was referred to me as a possible board patient by a former graduate of my program. Unfortunately, she had a probe reading of 7mm, which exceeds what we are allowed, and her calculus was not tenacious enough. Even more unfortunate was the fact that I bombed in calculus removal today on the lower molars, but Dr Hanson helped me to realize why. She said she was having difficulty reaching the areas that I missed because of my patients head position. Due to her thick ponytail, her chin was down throughout the appt and it made it harder for me to scale those places thoroughly. I will not allow that mistake to occur again.
I paid more attention to my patients positioning in the afternoon and while this patient had calculus that was a thousand times more diffuse and tenacious than my morning patient, I missed ZERO spots! I was able to pass off a root debridement PE on this patient. That felt nice!
At least I ended well! Great lesson to re-learn on the first day of Spring Semester 2012!
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