Explorer

Today I learned how to use the explorer.  Before today, I thought using an explorer wouldn't be a big deal or very hard at all.  There are two ends to the explorers we use and finding the right end for the surface isn't easy.  There are specific ways to find which side you use that differ from anterior teeth and posterior teeth.  I learned this.  I practiced adaptation of the explorer on my typodont first then I explored Kristen's whole mouth.  She gave me constructive criticism during the whole procedure which I was very grateful for.  It seemed as though the side of the tooth I was working toward was the side that I usually poked her with because I wasn't adapting closely enough to the curve of the tooth.  I definitely have some practicing to do, but I am glad I learned it and had time to practice for a while.  I feel like with practice I will be able to do it better without causing discomfort or in some cases pain.

I was really nervous before clinic today because I knew we would be working subgingivally.  I really don't want to hurt anyone, but I know I will because I am just learning.  I felt more confident after I explored on Kristen.

Before I practiced exploring, I was able to pass off my Intra Oral exam PE.

Probing

Today I learned how to probe.  I used a marshmellow to feel the pressure and a candy corn for adaptation of the probe around the tooth.  I also practiced readings on the probe with my typodont.  This one was hard for me with the pressure because I used too much pressure.  When I probed on Kristen, my pressure was a little too heavy, so I had to lighten up which made more sense for me.  I probed her whole maxillary arch.  I found the distobuccal probe reading on teeth #2 and #15 were the very hardest to get.  I feel like I was doing okay other than it was difficult to read the mm on the probe.  I am getting use to it, but that was definitely the hardest part of the probing.  I am definitely planning on ordering loupes this Friday to I can read the probe depths easier and quicker. 

I wasn't able to pass off my intraoral exam PE because I tore down my chair before I thought to.  I also noticed many othr students passing off things, so who knows if I would've even got to it today since there are some that are due today.  I feel good about the introoral exam.  I will pass it off next Monday.

IntraOral Exam

Today I learned how to do an intraoral exam.  My pod partner is Kristen who I practice every new thing on.  She is such a trooper :) I learned all the anatomical markings of the mouth.  I felt pretty competent with the intraoral exam.  I had to do it several times to have it click in my brain, but I like to think it helped Kristen as well.  Once it was time to switch and she was going through it, I learned even more.  Clinic makes me feel like I am actually learning and doing something productive that I learn throughout the week.

I passed off my Vital Signs and Extra Oral PE's!!!  YAY!  I am caught up now!!

Extraoral Exam

Today I learned how to do an extra oral exam.  First you start off by the supraorbital area and papilate.  Next papilate around the zygomatic process and the suboribital area.  Use firm pressure on the sinus to see if there is discomfort.  Moving laterally, papilate around the auricular pre and post nodes checking the ear for any abnormalities.  Check the TMJ.  OPen close left and right and protrustons.  Clicking popping is termed crepitus.  Have patient clench for the masseter muscle.  Move down under the chin to check the submandibular glands and nodes.  Have patient turn head left and right checking the muscles and nodes down to the clavicle. Check the Trapizod muscle along the next and nodes.  Finally check the thyroid cartilage for any abnormalities.

I passed off my Flucrum and health history PE today :)  YAY!!!

Vital Signs

Yesterday I learned how to take vital signs... jeez it was tricky!  Well the blood pressure was.  Once I did it a few times, I got the hang of it.  It seemed interesting to me, and I was so glad when someone else took the blood pressure on the same person it came out the same :)  It didn't take long to learn how to do it.  I was thankful for that because the other PEs that I have to do have been so time consuming and hard to memorize... The health history and charting forms mostly!

I have clinic tomorrow and with a stressful life filled with exams and missin' my husband it's hard to stay motivated to keep going and not throw my hands up and say forget it!  Actually that's true for my personal life, not really my school life.  I fee like I have a pretty firm grasp on school :)

Health Histories and proper charting

This was a day of information overload.  There is so much to know, and there is no way someone could possibly know how to chart everything by the end of today.  I have a good idea, but I'm not perfect.  I am glad that if I have questions I can apporoach my instructors, and they will guide me.

1st I learned that the health history must be filled out to it's fullest.  I have to go over the whole thing making sure there is nothing blank, then sign the back.  After this, I need to circle every "YES" answer in red and have the patient ellaborate on the topic guided by my questions.

2nd I get a form that I then write the day's information on.
       date, the HHx  Blood pressure, pulse and respiratory belongs on the first line followed by the responses to the "YES" questions.  For example, if there is an allergy it is stated, or if there is a health condition that is stated.  The health conditions and allergies are underlined in and printed in the top right corner of the form in red.  Next item is drugs/medication the patient is using with information such as, what it is, dosage, what they use it for, and what oral effects come with the drug and if they experience any of them.
      HHx/Rx  This is where you would address alterations to "flag" the next clinician of special precautions for following appointments this patient would come for.

3rd once everything is complete a signature from the instructor and student is required before moving on.

Special note:  If anything needs to be altered or changed on the form, there must be a single line drawn through the error and then re written.

This was a lot of information and difficult to understand until I went through it myself.  Once I could practice it and be corrected by the instructor, I understood it a little better.  It actually helps go through the steps in this post to help remember all this information.  Another thing I learned is that this can be done at home if I know the patient which will help with time when I start seeign patients in the clinic.

I hope I can do this in a timely manner so I can get to the more critical things and what the patient came for (x-rays or the cleaning).

Clinic Day- Using the mirror, probe, and explorer

I'm posting about clinic August 31, 2011.  I am a little late, but I do remember a lot of what went on that day and my feelings about it since I haven't been to clinic since then. 

I learned about the proper positioning of the dental hygienist with the mouth of the patient in the chair.  The positions are described as 12 o'clock to 8 o'clock.  Each with a specific purpose to scale, probe, or explore in the mouth.  These surfaces and positions are exactly opposite for a left-handed clinician and a right-handed clinician.  It seemed very confusing for me when I was trying to understand during the explanation and what the book was saying; although, once I tried it myself, it made perfect sense to me.  I understood that the surfaces toward me I would be below the ear and surfaces away from me I would be above the ear to be ergonomically correct.  I am thankful for the knowledge I have for this because my body will gain muscle memory in order to stay healthy and avoid injuries caused by poor positioning. 

I also learned to proper way to hold an instrument.  I couldn't believe there really was a proper way to hold one, although I am very thankful I learned because it will keep my hands strong and decrease the chance of cramps and pains.  They refer to the proper way of holding an intrument as "the stack".  The pointer finger and the thumb need to be directly apart from each other on the shaft of the insturment, the middle finger rests on the shank, the ring finger is the flucrum finger, and the pinky finger is just there for extra stability should that patient make a sudden movement. 

These techniques are hard to get use to, but I have ben practicing and they seem to get a little easier as I go.  I know with time, it will come second nature and all will be well.... it's just getting there without doing it wrong that's the hard part! :)