The Last Fall Semester EVER!

Thinking back to the start of this semester and remembering how much i didnt know but know now, really gives me hope for my future! I feel like i have learned so much, not only with my instrumenting but with how to communicate with pts. I feel like being at the VA has been such an amazing experience for me to learn how to communicate with pts from all different walks of life. With instrumentation i feel so much more confident in using my ultrasonic curves, files, and all the new instruments we didnt know at the start of this semester! I am really excited for next year and finishing up my schooling experience!

Fulcrums I Wished I Knew

Today was a good day in clinic. My pt came on time and ready for the cleaning but because I didn’t look at the health history before his ride left, I ended up waiting for the bottom signature before I could even start. So it did take me an hour and a half before I got the signature and could finally start. He was a really cool kid and was totally patient about the whole situation. Anyways, I learned that I really need to consciously start using extra oral fulcrums. We learned about them that one day in clinic but I have yet to incorporate all of them into my cleaning routine and today it would have helped.  I am super excited to go to the VA on Thursday to get to practice what I have learned today! Lab was also very fun and I learned to use Oraqix and Arestin!

At Least He Didn't Pee In The Cup!

So my morning pt was the sweetest little old Spanish speaking man. He has been to the clinic multiple times before and when I brought him back he was responding to everything i was saying in his broken English. After the extra oral exam, i handed him a cup of Listerine and told him to rinse with it for 30 sec. and he said ok and seamed to understand. Thirty seconds later when i go to collect the cup, the Listerine is not in the cup or in his mouth. He totally swallowed it all! I asked Dr. Naylor who was in my pod if he was going to be ok because i was kinda freaking out. Ha ha, at least he didnt take it to the bathroom and bring it back with a urine sample like that story of the other Spanish speaking pt. Overall it was a wonderful day in clinic! I do think that i need to step up my scaling times because i am still very slow. Goal for next week is to make sure i have a translator if needed, and to speed up my time.

Patient Hug Day!

Today was a good day, I got a lot done and I did well :) I saw a returning pt this morning and she is just the cutest thing ever, when I walked her out she gave me a hug :) It made me feel like i had accomplished making the patient feel happy and loved! I really do wish i had more time to get to know my patients because most of them are amazing people! Then this afternoon i saw my cousin and did the spit PE on him. He has nice spit, and was at a very low risk for caries so that was good for him to know. Anyway, I learned today that i want to try and get to know my patients a little bit more even if its just an extra five min at the beginning of the appt.

Exploring-Hansen Style

Today was a HUGE eye-opening experience for me! I learned how to explore the back molars a different way today and that has helped me so so much! I LOVE having Dr. Hansen as my instructor because she has taught me so many things I didn’t know I was doing wrong. I try to remember them by writing them down when I leave clinic, so hopefully I can remember the exploring technique she taught me today!!!

Apparently My Neck Is Beautiful…

Tuesday clinic was so bad im going to pretend like it never happened. Thursday at the VA went a little better :) I had a really nice pt in the morning, and then in the afternoon I was assigned a pt who had the note that said the following:

“Pt suffers from short term memory loss and will continue to repeat inappropriate comments in a sexual tone.”

So when Prof. McConaughy saw that I had this pt she told me to keep my distance and when he said anything inappropriate to just try to get him back on track and return to his cleaning. He didn’t say anything too bad at first, just repeating to me that my hair was beautiful and speaking French over and over to me. When I started the ultrasonic on him he asked me what I was doing later that night and I just pretended to not hear him. Then when I was done with the ultrasonic he told me I had a very beautiful neck in a very sensual tone. EWWW! CREEPY! But I made it through the apt with no real issues and although it was slightly uncomfortable, at least it was due to his brain damage and at least he wasn’t grumpy and creepy!

Happy Hygienist Indeed!

Mockboards went SO much better than I thought it would ever go! I am so pleased with how it went, and I am so happy that all the girls pts showed up! I felt like we all did good and I think that I learned a lot about how I need to really pay attention when feeling for calculus. I like what Prof. Alexander said in pod wrap about taking a few minutes break after scaling and then going back to the pt to feel for calculus. I will for sure do this from now on :) GOOD JOB to all the girls in Tuesday clinic, and GOOD LUCK to all Thursdays clinic (I will be praying for you all)!

What An Experiance!

Children's Health Connection was pretty cool! We had some really good kids and some not so really good kids. I was in radiology on Friday and that was a treat, but me and MeChelle make a great team and did awesome together! Julie also taught me some cool new tricks to help make my contacts a little more open :) Today I was in Hygiene! First pt of the day was DEFINITELY Mock Board Material, and was the sweetest thing ever! Then the rest of the day I saw pt that were teenagers and above! It didn't feel like a children's clinic very much cuz i only saw about three real 1A's. All and all it was a GREAT experience and i feel so much better about cleanings and x-rays and i even got to use the tricks that were taught to us in lab this past week!

Moves Like Jagger!

I have that song stuck in my head...Today was a good day!!! I found my mockboard pt at last min :) Im super happy that everyone in our clinic found them! I am praying that Thursdays clinic find them too. Also, I liked the lab for the afternoon because it taught me more tricks for instrumentation that i can use next week during mockboards. My goal is to remember the tricks and use them! And THANKS to all those who prayed for me to find a mockboard! It worked :)

Where oh where could my mocboard pt be... oh where oh where could they be...

NO MOCKBOARD! IM FREAKING OUT A LOT! Well, today was kinda one of those days... I know we have all had them so I dont need to go into detail. I have set a new goal for myself to be more serious with my pt about coming up to the clinic. I need to let them know this is my grade, i just have a hard time phrasing it sometimes. I will work on it.... and keep looking for a mockboard.... and try to be positive about dental hygiene right now... and take one day at a time...

Loops Are Cool!

Hey Girls, I really hope some of you read this and can give me some feedback! For the first time ever in my morning clinic i wore loops! McCall was sweet enough to let me borrow them the whole appointment and they were awesome! I have always thought about them but knew that they were out of my price range, now that i have used them and can tell how much better they make me, I will for sure get them. If you girls could tell me what brands you have and how you like them, that would be great seeing as we have convention this Friday! Also, (maybe it was the loops) I met my time goal during that morning appointment! I was hoping to find my mockboard pt today, but that didn't happen, so i will keep on searching! Goal for next Tue is to find a mockboard pt. Wish me luck!!!

When Will I Be Pro?

Does anyone else feel like they are not progressing? I feel like im stuck a little and Today i set a time goal for myself but didn't meet it. I still struggle with my x-rays and I still miss those blasted lower anteriors. I think i need to really come to clinic focused and ready for the day. Today i woke up late and was a tad late to the clinic so next week my goal is to get in the mind set of clinic the night before and really think about what i will be doing the next day! Wish me luck :)

Roommate to the Rescue!

My loser of a pt. didn't want to show today, so I called my roommate and she was able to come in! This was just for my afternoon pt. My morning pt was awesome, she is a returning pt and is always reliable. I always feel like I can't express how grateful I really am for her! With her, I learned a very valuable lesson- put the ora on the right way! I am such a dumb blonde sometimes and when I went to take her anterior PA's I had the ora ring on upside down, luckily it was just scan-x so it didn't take a year and a half to retake them :) My afternoon pt was such a lifesaver and I also learned that I need to work on my time management with 1B's. I need to even out my time with each quad that I scale. I feel like I spend soooo much time on the UR where I start, then not as much time anywhere else but I still get the same result. Note to self: set time goals again this semester!

First Second Year Patient!

Today I had my first second year patient. It was my cousin from Florida :) I felt a little foolish because I assumed she was a harder classification due to her circumstances but she only ended up being a 1B, so  I could have finished her in one appointment! But I had no idea she would be so easy, and I didn’t want to risk not finishing her and sending her back to FL with half a cleaning, so I guess it wasn’t a total loss :) I also just want to say I LOVE the second year clinic, I feel like they have more confidence in us so I feel more confidence in myself! Good luck to us all this year!

Summer Days... Here I Come!!!

Today was the last day of clinic for Jr. year!!!! It FEELS soooooo good to say that! I was CA in the morning and so today definitely felt long, but it was a good day overall. Fun semester although it was an emotional roller coaster, im just happy we all made it through :) Have a fun summer everyone!

Already Thinking About Next Monday!

Next Monday morning I will be sleeping IN!!!! I can't wait til summer!!!! This semester has been the hardest for me of my entire college life. Overall it has been fun, but I dont ever think I have ever been so stressed for things that are completely out of my control. In clinic today, I saw one of my favorite pts who was returning for one more cleaning before we head off into summer. It went well and I feel like it was a great monday clinic! Just one more clinic!!!!! Im so happy I could cry :)

Physicians Consult

Today i did my first physicians consult! I am actually super grateful that i was able to have practice with this because i couldn't remember how. My pt was supper nice and patient :) It was a good day overall. Two more to go!!!!!!!

The End Is Near!

Today, I was so ready to be done with clinic. I saw a class II pt that was harder than my class three or any other pt that I have seen so far. I am soooooooo grateful for this experience because I always hear people talking about how hard the calculus is to get off but I never experienced it til today! Phew, when clinic was over I felt pooped! I felt a little like a failure (due to all the marks) and Costley had to finish her up, but then I told myself I am doin the best I can! It's a good thing im still a student!

Sister Day (part 2)

Today my sister came from out of state to be my pt! I loved having her come in and was so grateful that she was willing to sacrafice her time off from work and her time here in Utah to be my pt for a day! She is the best!!! I am SO ready for the summer :)

Pressure... Pushing Down On Me, Pushing Down On You... No Man Ask For!

Today was ok. I was praying all weekend that my pt would show up because she had to reschedule with me last time I called to confirm her appt. She was a WAY awesome girl and was supper fun to talk to. I felt bad today because I only got through the OD but I waited for 35 min for the OD check and I know that I dont have any control over that but now I dont think I can scale her whole mouth in one appt. I only have the last day of clinic left to work on her so pray that I can finish her. What happens if I don't finish her on that last clinic day? I REALLY dont want to send her through the summer with only half her mouth clean, and she is so compliant and serious about maintaing her perio and taking care of herself. I feel PRESSURE...

No Show = No Good, Heather = Hero!!!!!!!

This morning my pt canceled on me which I had a gut feeling he would as I was tossing and turning last night! I (like Marianne but not as many) called 7 pts to see if I could get them in for the afternoon. No luck! So I called Heather (my HERO) and she said she would stay and be my pt. HEATHER YOUR THE BEST!!! I feel soooooo blessed to be able to be in this class year, and I feel that i couldn't have been put with a better bunch of girls :) Having a hygienist as a pt made my clinic day the best ever! I never thought I would say this but clinic today was a blast! Heather helped with everything and she was willing to do anything. I didnt feel stressed or flustered even when the intra oral camera didnt work :) THANKS again to Heather I owe you BIG!

Backwards Day! (not an april fools joke)

Today when I came in to set up my unit it was backwards! It was changed over spring break to a left handed unit, and because we had no extra units today, I got to play left handed for the day. That was actually the least of my problems for this clinic day. I messed up left and right and I HATE HATE HATE the fact that I get so flustered when I mess up cuz it makes me mess up more and more. I was talking to my little brother (who plays tennis for his high school) and he always talks about overcoming his mental game. I think clinic is the same. We have to keep our cool and stay in the game mentally for us to make it through a clinic day! I need to practice that because I know we all make mistakes, mine just seem to snowball once I start. Next clinic I’m really going to focus on improving my mental game :)

Little Sis

Today I had my lil' sis come in! She was such a trouper, I was saving my air-powder polishing PE for her because she has braces. I felt bad using it on her and she told me later that it sprayed up her nose, but I think she will forgive me :) I have to admit that usually on Wednesdays  (longer clinic days) Im not as flustered but today I was a little. I think it was because I really really wanted to finish my sis so that i wouldn't have to waist another clinic day. As we all know, clinic days are precious and we are all starting to feel that pressure. My goal for after spring break is to remember how to scale and take a pano because I know my pt needs one!

Little Bro

Today I had my little brother come in because my patient cancelled on my on Sat. It ended up being a very stress-less day :) He is the cleanest 1B and it should have taken me not long at all, but I spend quite a while on him. I think I'm starting to get paranoid about the more spots I miss means the more I will be docked. I don't know how to balance my time management with the quality of my scaling. Any ideas? My goal that I will continue working on until the end of the semester is how to balance the two so that I can finish a 1B in one appt with one to none mistakes :)

Chatty Kathy

Today i had chatty kathy (male version)! And he was super friendly but every 2-3 teeth that i probed, when i went to write the numbers down he had something to tell me. It was nice to make a new friend, but when he would speak, i would listen and then forget the numbers i probed so i would have to probe again! I was able to take a PA on him so i got my first PA of the year!!! I also passed of my Blood Glucose PE so it wasn't completely unproductive. I just wish I was a bit faster cuz i only got one quad done when i should have done at least two. Looking at my calendar makes sick, but I will still keep doing the best i can :)

End of February!

Today is the last day of February. I can't decide if i am excited or not about this! I know that we only have two weeks til spring break but I also know that we only have 11 days left of clinic. Im Nervous :o) but I ow a BIG THANKS to Karen for letting me share her pt and I got to pass of my Sealant PE. Today was ok but I still feel like I need to do better and be faster. I always feel bad asking the pt to come back again and this will be his third time seeing me. Oh well, we do the best we can right? So, goal for Wednesday is to hopefully pass off another PE and remember all the instrumenting tricks I learned today!

Productive Day!

Today was a productive day! I was able to see two patients although I missed a lot of areas on my second pt. I was late on getting him out also but im just glad that they are both done! I feel like im slowly starting to get the hang of things. I was able to feel the calculus on the areas that I missed and I LOVE when instructors stand over me and wait until those areas are clean! Thats how I learn :) Im still hoping that I get quicker but im so happy today was a good one :) I really need to pass off PE's so Im setting my goal to get two of them done next week!

BEST DAY OF CLINIC!

Today was such a fun day! I LOVED that we got a little brake from patients and clinic was a flashback to last semester. We got into groups and learned three PE's and joked and played and had a grate time! I love my classmates, I dont think I would survive these two years without them :) It was good to learn that we didnt have to find a diabetic person to do the blood glucose testing because that was one less stress. It was also nice to finally learn how to clean a denture because we talked about it in class but I get it now that I have a visual! Wish we could repeat the day but there is lots more learning to do next week :)

Happy LOVE Day!

Today was a good day, although I was a little slower than I thought I would be. I had a returning pt who was the second person I saw early in January so today I needed to scale four quads on him. When 8:00a.m. rolled around, he wasn't here so I texted him. An half hour or so later he was in my chair :) So I was able to pass of my instrument sharpening PE! I have to admit that I am glad that I finished and he wont be back in for a while because he was kinda a wimp. It got the the point where Instructor Vining had to locally numb him because I couldn't get in there to do anything! That was a bit frustrating but I finished and now im ready for a Wednesday free of pts :) Next week I am setting the goal to pass of two more PE's so wish me luck!

A GREAT Wednesday!

Today was such a good day for me which i really needed because the last few clinic days have got me questioning what the heck im doin'. I had a pt come in that was a class V and im so grateful for that because I need my class II requirements. He was a very enjoyable pt and I was able to get 3 quads done! I also LOVED having instructor Allen in my pod today :) She builds up my confidence by complementing me on everything that im doing well but she also critiques me in a good way too so that i can really learn from my mistakes. I felt hardly stressed or flustered today and the pt even told me that i did a better job on him than the last few girls who have worked on him! Maybe I can do this whole Dental Hygiene school thing j/k :)

Class 2 Found!

Today was okay, I think Mondays are always a bit harder for me (Its my shorter day too). I was really happy that my pt showed up and ended up being something other than a 1B because I need to get those requirements in. I was able to take a pano on him and 4 BWX so I got those requirements out of the way. But I made such a stupid mistake (I was even warned about it). Today I took 4 BWX using conventional and it was my first time using the daylight loader this semester and I was so focused on not messing that up that I didnt realize the film was double and i sent them through together and had to retake all four! I was a little pissed off at myself. I HATE that i am making dumb mistakes that I KNOW not to do. I think Instructor Vining thinks im the dumbest blonde also because I had to tell him my mistake to get four retakes. So goal for next time: Not to get flustered the rest of the day when I make stupid mistakes and to run through things in my mind before the pt arrives.

Class 3 Complete!

Yesterday I finished my class three pt and im not gonna lie it was hard for me. Im glad that i survived but i dont think i did all that well. I missed more sub. areas than i thought were possible :) Im trying hard to stay positive about this whole sucking thing but its hard! I still dont know what the heck im doing and its FEBRUARY! If you girls have any suggestions or tips or tricks that you have learned, LET ME KNOW!

Learning is Good!

Today I learned a TON from instructor Vinning. I didn't have him last semester so I wasnt aware of how great he really is! He taught me some awesome tricks with my instruments and I hope I can remember them for the future. I finished another four quads and im nervous for Wednesdays patient (she is my class 3), so my goal will be to use my graceys correctly on Wednesday. Wish me luck :)

Brace Face!

Today my patient had braces. It was a little difficult to probe the buccal surfaces but even more hard to hand scale. I have to admit i was a wimp and just used my Ultrasonic for today. I wasn't feeling all that great and i didn't want to try and figure out how to use my handy dandy hand scaled instruments on him, so i cheated and used the ultrasonic which i found worked like a gem! Next weeks goals are to remember what to do with a returning patient?

The Babysitter :)

Today I played babysitter. It wasn't too bad because the kids were awesome! I had two brothers come in and they were both 1A's. The younger one was 3 and he was supper adorable! I started with his 9 year old brother first so that he could model what a big kid he was for his 3 year old bro. It was a pretty good day :)

What's a class 3?

Today I will have to agree with Kelsey and say that it wasnt the bestest of days. I had a very sweet lady as my patient and she was totally needing a more experienced hygienist. She ended up being a class three and i was messing up left and right on EVERYTHING! I apparently dont know how to probe a mouth that isnt a 1B. But, i survived and so did she :) Although, i feel soooooooooo not ready to see pts especially when they are class 3!

A Very Good Day!

Today was a very good day :) I still feel like im the slowest one out there but I know each clinic im improving and getting faster so that makes me happy. Today my patient was a 16 year old boy and he was pretty much like a statue so I felt like I talked a lot to myself :) but he was very patient and did a good job sitting there for such a long time! Im excited that im starting to get the hang of all this and that today was such a better day for me than Monday!

A Very Bad Day! (Just one a semester right?)

Today was a very very bad day for me :( If it weren't for my very understanding patient and Instructor Demings (shes so awesome!), I would have cried my eyeballs out! The day started out pretty bad, and it was almost one thing after another that seemed to get worse. Thank goodness we have the rest of the semester to improve :)

The Slow Poke

Today was the first day back with a new patient. It was actually not as bad as i had envisioned it going. I was going to have my mom come in today, but instead got my brother :) I knew he would be an easy patient so i treatment planned getting two quads done today but only got to one. Guess i need to pick up the pace cuz i read on other blogs that they finished four!!! Practice makes perfect!

Spring Semester Day #1

Today was the first day back! I was a little nervous about coming back because i was afraid after that long break that i was going to forget everything. I think i still need more refreshing but I'm sure I'll do fine :) We learned about the TalEval system in a little more detail and I'm super excited to be doing it. I'm a little nervous for Wednesday, but thank goodness its just my mother and she will love me no matter what!