I didn't know..

so i had a class 1b patient today. We have been told and instructed that we would only be able to accomplish to the od on the first appt and then do the quads on the next appt. I was going along and noticed that because everything was going so smoothly that I had a lot more time left. My prof told me that i would be able to finish and i didn't believe her. she came around 2x to hurry me along and when we had the scale check she was curious as to why i was taking so long. I didn't understand that I really was being too picky about what i was scaling. after i finished and the pt had left, she sat me down and explained that there is no reason to be scaling where there isn't calculus. we should just explore and when we find some we then remove it.. I really had no idea that this soon in the semester we would be able to sit a new patient and finish in the same day. I will be better prepared for my next patient and that is exciting!!

First 4 quads!!

I got to finally get my scaler and gracey out today. I have been doing OD's this whole semester and it really felt good to get that calculus off. My patient was awesome. He was really patient with me and seemed to tolerate the treatment well. I am grateful for good people like that. I learned that after every HHx we need to note the date of the last xrays. I think that will help to see whether or not we need to do them at the current appt. I used the ultrasonic scaler because the pt had sheet calculus and it really helped. I was hand scaling at first and it really took a lot to get every bit off. My prof. checked on me and suggested that I get more practice on hand scaling so afterward the ultra sonic, i went around each quad to get adaptation, angulation and activation right.

ok to go!

oh, boy.. I had no idea how tough today was going to be. I had a 14yr old boy and I didn't forsee any problem. I got him seated and then gathered some paperwork to have his mom sign it and by the time I got out to the foyer she had left!! We had him call her and she had gone to run errands. I couldn't do anything until she came back.. what a mess. She finally came and I got it all signed and we got started one hour later than planned.. oh well.. i learned a lot. We did 4bwx and I really just don't know what I could have done to speed that up. I took one retake and then worked on probing and documenting.. it only took me about half an hour because I had an assistant.. lucky! I know that when I am out in the practicing world, i will have an assistant.. life is just that much better!!

almost snowed out!

Today I was really grateful when my patient showed up inspite of all the snow. I was nervous and felt a bit of a rush as I took his vitals and began to fill the HHx. I felt pretty good about the extra/intra oral exam but I know that I need to do it more thorough and yet faster. I also noticed that as in the OD check my probe depth were off more than usual. I need to slow down and make sure I have the right angle in there.. there is a lot to remember to check for and I think I need to make a mental check list so that I don't have to get in the mouth so many times and I can move to the next part quicker. My main goal now is to get an order/check list to follow mentally and be complete in my evaluations..