Goal: Complete 2 IA, 2 sets of BWX, and sealants
Actual: 2 IA, 2 sets of BWX, and sealants on 1 of my patients
I was a little bit nervous for today to come because I was planning to attempt to see 2 patients in one day. I only had one chair to use because the overflow was taken, so that added extra stress to get done in time. I saw my first patient and everything went well... well kinda. We had a few kinks in the x-ray room with the electronics and Shick was difficult to get for my patient and his tiny mouth. I was able to get 4 sealants done today on this patient, but I had to wait 20 minutes for the dentist to check. I had completed the whole appointment waiting on him. Sheesh! Otherthan that it went great!
My second patient was so great! I was worried he was going to be difficult because he is little and jittery, but he actually did very very well! The x-rays went really well and so did the cleaning. I was able to complete him very quickly without any problems. I got done with clinic early and was able to clean up and turn in my chart on time today! What a great day!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
7th Patient 1st appointment 2/22/2012
Goal: Complete IB, 4 BWX, 4 PAX, and 2 PEs in one clinic session
Actual: 1 quad Class II, 4 BWX, 4 PAX, 2 PEs- Diagnodent, and Explorer #2
Today was making me nervous because I had created such a challenging goal but thought it was fair for how well I had been doing in clinic. I started off my appointment with x-rays. I needed to complete another Shick experience but had a tough time getting it to fit in her mouth and get a good x-ray. I was able to get good BWX, but I needed help getting the maxillary anterior teeth. I kept cutting off the apex. When I was taking the x-rays I noticed radiographic calculus which made me super excited. I mentioned what I saw in the films to my patient (which let's be honest, meant nothing to her) and told her I hoped she was a Class II. I wasn't confident in my findings, so I told her my instructor would let me know. My patient was so great and very patient with me and this experience. I finally completed this and moved on to the OD process. When I was taking probe readings, my heart sank. I thought she was a IB and really wished she was a Class II. I still had the radiographic calculus in the back of my mind and wasn't sure about bone loss. When my instructor came over, she noted bone loss on the mandibular arch. I immediately was so excited and couldn't contain myself! (Thank goodness my patient was another family member) My instructor helped me get the anterior PAX, so she asked to see them and verified 2 more quads of a Class II! I was so excited I could feel my heart racing! I wanted to do a little dance but luckily I was able to contain that :) There was quite a bit of calculus and my instructor reminded me I only had 15 minutes until the first scale check. I was only able to complete 1 quad and missed 4 areas of calculus, 2 of which I knew I missed because I couldn't get it... to be honest my insturctor struggled to get it herself!
Although my goal wasn't met, I was so glad to have such a great clinic day! I am thankful for such great reliable patients that are so willing to help and support me! I was so tired after that but so relieved! I couldn't go home I had CA that day which was another success! :)
Actual: 1 quad Class II, 4 BWX, 4 PAX, 2 PEs- Diagnodent, and Explorer #2
Today was making me nervous because I had created such a challenging goal but thought it was fair for how well I had been doing in clinic. I started off my appointment with x-rays. I needed to complete another Shick experience but had a tough time getting it to fit in her mouth and get a good x-ray. I was able to get good BWX, but I needed help getting the maxillary anterior teeth. I kept cutting off the apex. When I was taking the x-rays I noticed radiographic calculus which made me super excited. I mentioned what I saw in the films to my patient (which let's be honest, meant nothing to her) and told her I hoped she was a Class II. I wasn't confident in my findings, so I told her my instructor would let me know. My patient was so great and very patient with me and this experience. I finally completed this and moved on to the OD process. When I was taking probe readings, my heart sank. I thought she was a IB and really wished she was a Class II. I still had the radiographic calculus in the back of my mind and wasn't sure about bone loss. When my instructor came over, she noted bone loss on the mandibular arch. I immediately was so excited and couldn't contain myself! (Thank goodness my patient was another family member) My instructor helped me get the anterior PAX, so she asked to see them and verified 2 more quads of a Class II! I was so excited I could feel my heart racing! I wanted to do a little dance but luckily I was able to contain that :) There was quite a bit of calculus and my instructor reminded me I only had 15 minutes until the first scale check. I was only able to complete 1 quad and missed 4 areas of calculus, 2 of which I knew I missed because I couldn't get it... to be honest my insturctor struggled to get it herself!
Although my goal wasn't met, I was so glad to have such a great clinic day! I am thankful for such great reliable patients that are so willing to help and support me! I was so tired after that but so relieved! I couldn't go home I had CA that day which was another success! :)
6th Patient Day 2/13/2012
Goal: Class IA, 2 BWX, and Sealant PE
Actual: Class IA, 2 BWX, PEs- Sealant and Air Powder polish
I had my day planned out so I would see 2 children. My first patient's mother text me over the weekend saying her child got sick and didn't think it would be a good idea to have her daughter seen that day. I agreed and told her I would let Sierra know and see if she could see her another day. I will follow up with her next month to see if she had been seen.
I was still able to see one child that day. She happens to be in my family which made me nervous since family usually acts up when another family member is providing a service for them. I realized this when doing hair and I've noticed a little when watching other peers seeing family in the clinic. It makes sense though. Family are more relaxed to whimper or make you feel nervous not to make you feel bad but to tease and play. Either way I wasa little nervous.
When she came back I asked her if she was ready to take x-rays. She was such a good sport about it. I was able to get Shick x-rays with the first shot and she did great! I was so proud of her. I relaxed a little and knew she would be great for the rest of the appointment. I was able to get her cleaned in one appointment and was able to place sealants and use my air powder polish on her teeth to prep them for the sealant! She was so great! I got so much accomplished and I was able to pass on the sealant experience to one of my friends as well.
This day went really well for me! I had a little boost of confidence. This was such a good experience for her and for me.
Actual: Class IA, 2 BWX, PEs- Sealant and Air Powder polish
I had my day planned out so I would see 2 children. My first patient's mother text me over the weekend saying her child got sick and didn't think it would be a good idea to have her daughter seen that day. I agreed and told her I would let Sierra know and see if she could see her another day. I will follow up with her next month to see if she had been seen.
I was still able to see one child that day. She happens to be in my family which made me nervous since family usually acts up when another family member is providing a service for them. I realized this when doing hair and I've noticed a little when watching other peers seeing family in the clinic. It makes sense though. Family are more relaxed to whimper or make you feel nervous not to make you feel bad but to tease and play. Either way I wasa little nervous.
When she came back I asked her if she was ready to take x-rays. She was such a good sport about it. I was able to get Shick x-rays with the first shot and she did great! I was so proud of her. I relaxed a little and knew she would be great for the rest of the appointment. I was able to get her cleaned in one appointment and was able to place sealants and use my air powder polish on her teeth to prep them for the sealant! She was so great! I got so much accomplished and I was able to pass on the sealant experience to one of my friends as well.
This day went really well for me! I had a little boost of confidence. This was such a good experience for her and for me.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
5th Patient Final appointment
Goal: 2 Quads Class V, 1 PE- Intraoral
Actual: 2 Quads Class V, 1 PE- Intraoral
Today went very smooth. I was able to finish my patient in 1 hour and 15 minutes. I finished her left side, selective polish, and Fluoride Varnish. I had to wait a little bit for my instructor for the first scale check because someone was passing off a PE, so I was able to complete all my charting during that time. I only missed 2 areas of calculus. I was able to feel what she felt with an explorer but had a difficult time feeling what I felt with a scaler. I have a feeling this will be what I struggle with. I need to learn to get deeper inside the pocket and adapt a little better to access what I'm trying to get. I am thankful for my experiences of missing calculus (even though it hurts my grade) because I am able to feel where calculus lies on each tooth and in different areas. I felt like my biggest battle at the beginning of the semester was tackling the paperwork. I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on what is expected for the paperwork, and I'm getting faster and more efficient at writing it down because I've memorized the way they have it organized. Overall I feel good about the way today went. I hope I continue to get better, faster, and more efficient!
Actual: 2 Quads Class V, 1 PE- Intraoral
Today went very smooth. I was able to finish my patient in 1 hour and 15 minutes. I finished her left side, selective polish, and Fluoride Varnish. I had to wait a little bit for my instructor for the first scale check because someone was passing off a PE, so I was able to complete all my charting during that time. I only missed 2 areas of calculus. I was able to feel what she felt with an explorer but had a difficult time feeling what I felt with a scaler. I have a feeling this will be what I struggle with. I need to learn to get deeper inside the pocket and adapt a little better to access what I'm trying to get. I am thankful for my experiences of missing calculus (even though it hurts my grade) because I am able to feel where calculus lies on each tooth and in different areas. I felt like my biggest battle at the beginning of the semester was tackling the paperwork. I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on what is expected for the paperwork, and I'm getting faster and more efficient at writing it down because I've memorized the way they have it organized. Overall I feel good about the way today went. I hope I continue to get better, faster, and more efficient!
Monday, February 6, 2012
5th Patient first appointment
Goal: 2 Quads Class II, 4 BWX, 4 PAX, 2 PEs
Actual: 2 Quads Class V, 4 BWX, 4 PAX
I received this patient from my peer pal. She was screening for board patients and came across her. She said she was a Class II, but wasn't a good board patient so she referred her to me. I was so excited to finally see a Class II. This patient was super cooperative with scheduling and confirming. I felt really good about this because I have had a bad experience with flaky patients. My patient showed up right on time and mentioned she only had $32 for today. I was able to explain the importance of x-rays since it had been a while since she had been seen by a dentist. She agreed t o4 BWX and 4 PAX. She did so well in the x-ray room with a small mouth using Shick. I was so glad to have this opportunity. I also noted the slight loss of lamina dura and got excited. She may actually be a Class II! I took her back to my chair and started the OD process (extra/intra oral exam for cancer, dent eval for caries, and perio statement). I was finding deeper pockets and felt good about all of it other than she didn't have much calculus supragingivally. I got a little nervous about it. Sure enough, my instructor comes over, bursts my bubble, and tells me this patient is a Class V. :( Sad day for me. This will make 3 Class V patients I've seen. Hopefully, this will count for something. I feel like I'm getting farther and farther behind. I was hoping to pass off PEs and get ahead of the game.... She was a great patient and super sweet though! I guess I can't be too picky, right?
Actual: 2 Quads Class V, 4 BWX, 4 PAX
I received this patient from my peer pal. She was screening for board patients and came across her. She said she was a Class II, but wasn't a good board patient so she referred her to me. I was so excited to finally see a Class II. This patient was super cooperative with scheduling and confirming. I felt really good about this because I have had a bad experience with flaky patients. My patient showed up right on time and mentioned she only had $32 for today. I was able to explain the importance of x-rays since it had been a while since she had been seen by a dentist. She agreed t o4 BWX and 4 PAX. She did so well in the x-ray room with a small mouth using Shick. I was so glad to have this opportunity. I also noted the slight loss of lamina dura and got excited. She may actually be a Class II! I took her back to my chair and started the OD process (extra/intra oral exam for cancer, dent eval for caries, and perio statement). I was finding deeper pockets and felt good about all of it other than she didn't have much calculus supragingivally. I got a little nervous about it. Sure enough, my instructor comes over, bursts my bubble, and tells me this patient is a Class V. :( Sad day for me. This will make 3 Class V patients I've seen. Hopefully, this will count for something. I feel like I'm getting farther and farther behind. I was hoping to pass off PEs and get ahead of the game.... She was a great patient and super sweet though! I guess I can't be too picky, right?
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
4th Patient Second appointment TODAY!
Goal: 2 Quads Class V
Actual : 2 Quads Class V
My patient, again, came early for his premed which was great. I was able to get him in the chair on time and get right to work. I went over the OHI with him, and he seems to be doing better with his flossing and oral hygiene in general. I was so proud of him. I completed the cleaning and was able to talk to him about the importance of fluoride in his daily life. He had a few areas of suspicion so I wanted to stress the importance of fluoride. He was very receptive to this and was willing to get the fluoride I recommended. He didn't want x-rays to check the other teeth because he can get them at the VA. I hope he follows through and takes care of himself.
Actual : 2 Quads Class V
My patient, again, came early for his premed which was great. I was able to get him in the chair on time and get right to work. I went over the OHI with him, and he seems to be doing better with his flossing and oral hygiene in general. I was so proud of him. I completed the cleaning and was able to talk to him about the importance of fluoride in his daily life. He had a few areas of suspicion so I wanted to stress the importance of fluoride. He was very receptive to this and was willing to get the fluoride I recommended. He didn't want x-rays to check the other teeth because he can get them at the VA. I hope he follows through and takes care of himself.
3rd Patient Second Appointment 1/30/12
Goal: 4 quads, 2 PEs
Actual: 4 Quads Class 1B, 3 PEs
Today went really well. I was able to get through the rest of the cleaning and do OHI with her. She seemed receptive to the OHI. I hope I made a difference in her dental experience. She did really well with her anxiety, and I was able to complete the universal 1, selcetive polish, and peer scale check PEs today. I feel like I am getting closer to completing a patient in one appointment if I work a little more efficient. I had plenty of time after she left to do other things, so I am going to start working extra hard during the first appointment to get them completed instead of wasting time during the second appointment.
Actual: 4 Quads Class 1B, 3 PEs
Today went really well. I was able to get through the rest of the cleaning and do OHI with her. She seemed receptive to the OHI. I hope I made a difference in her dental experience. She did really well with her anxiety, and I was able to complete the universal 1, selcetive polish, and peer scale check PEs today. I feel like I am getting closer to completing a patient in one appointment if I work a little more efficient. I had plenty of time after she left to do other things, so I am going to start working extra hard during the first appointment to get them completed instead of wasting time during the second appointment.
4th Patient First appointment 1/25/12
Goal: 4 BWs, 2 Quads, 2 PEs
Actual: 2 Quads Class V, 1 PEs
Today I was able to see my second Class V patient. Since I had a little experience with this I wasn't as nervous. He was easy to get a hold of and actually came to the clinic Monday for his premed (because all of his MDs have retired). I had a good feeling about this patient. I showed up early this day and was able to get completely set-up when I saw him up front 30 minutes early to get his premed so it would be in his system 1 hour prior to instrumentation. What an awesome patient! Today went really well. He did refuse x-rays, so I wasn't able to get those but I was able to get the ultrasonic 1 PE passed off thanks to Instructor Caldwell who reminded me that an ultrasonic helps with moderate supragingival calculus. This worked so well! My patient was hard of hearing, so it was difficult to talk to him and make sure he understood. I showed him plenty of OHI this day to help him keep his teeth clean. He was very appreciative. When I walked him out he wasn't understanding why I needed to bring him back. I was able to call later that day to explain to his wife why I needed to see him again. She was very sweet to explain to him and make sure he would be here for his next appointment. Overall, it was a good day!
Actual: 2 Quads Class V, 1 PEs
Today I was able to see my second Class V patient. Since I had a little experience with this I wasn't as nervous. He was easy to get a hold of and actually came to the clinic Monday for his premed (because all of his MDs have retired). I had a good feeling about this patient. I showed up early this day and was able to get completely set-up when I saw him up front 30 minutes early to get his premed so it would be in his system 1 hour prior to instrumentation. What an awesome patient! Today went really well. He did refuse x-rays, so I wasn't able to get those but I was able to get the ultrasonic 1 PE passed off thanks to Instructor Caldwell who reminded me that an ultrasonic helps with moderate supragingival calculus. This worked so well! My patient was hard of hearing, so it was difficult to talk to him and make sure he understood. I showed him plenty of OHI this day to help him keep his teeth clean. He was very appreciative. When I walked him out he wasn't understanding why I needed to bring him back. I was able to call later that day to explain to his wife why I needed to see him again. She was very sweet to explain to him and make sure he would be here for his next appointment. Overall, it was a good day!
3rd Patient First appointment 1/23/12
Goal: Complete 4 BWs, and 2 Quads, and 2 PEs
I had such a hard time getting my patient to confirm her appointment over the weekend for today and had a bad feeling today was going to be bad. Well my gut feeling was right. My patient actually did confirm but then cancelled her appointment 1 hour before clinic started which made for a scramble. I was able to call my mother-in-law to see if she was willing to come (I prepped her that weekend). She said she would but was a little worried about getting lost on campus. One good thing about having an unemployed husband, he was able to drive her up here. We decided that weekend to work on our kitchen counter tops and redo them. He was hard at work to finish up some of it then he needed to prep for class that night. Well I ruined his whole plan for that day. HE thought I was only going to be an hour in clinic today so he didn't get any studying done for class and was scrambling after clinic was over... AWFUL! While I was waiting for them to arrive (1 hours later) I was able to pass off my sharpening PE. Anyway, my mother-in-law comes in with a little anxiety (who doesn't have a little doing something new). I tried to be professional and treat her well. I was able to get 4 BWX and 1 Pano.... with issues of course. When it rains it pours. I had to retake 3 BWX and the Pano touched her shoulder, so I had to retake that as well. The rough part about that it all of them were conventional which meant a lot of developing :( Dang it! Such a time waster. By the time I needed to walk her out, I was able to complete her full Hx, HHx/Rx, and OD. I wasn't able to get to the OHI which was a blessing for her that she didn't even know about. Oh well. I survived an awful clinic and get some x-rays to go toward my requirements. Thanks to her! She has been such a blessing in our lives this month. She has saved us with dinner many times and now Clinic! Wow What a Woman!
I had such a hard time getting my patient to confirm her appointment over the weekend for today and had a bad feeling today was going to be bad. Well my gut feeling was right. My patient actually did confirm but then cancelled her appointment 1 hour before clinic started which made for a scramble. I was able to call my mother-in-law to see if she was willing to come (I prepped her that weekend). She said she would but was a little worried about getting lost on campus. One good thing about having an unemployed husband, he was able to drive her up here. We decided that weekend to work on our kitchen counter tops and redo them. He was hard at work to finish up some of it then he needed to prep for class that night. Well I ruined his whole plan for that day. HE thought I was only going to be an hour in clinic today so he didn't get any studying done for class and was scrambling after clinic was over... AWFUL! While I was waiting for them to arrive (1 hours later) I was able to pass off my sharpening PE. Anyway, my mother-in-law comes in with a little anxiety (who doesn't have a little doing something new). I tried to be professional and treat her well. I was able to get 4 BWX and 1 Pano.... with issues of course. When it rains it pours. I had to retake 3 BWX and the Pano touched her shoulder, so I had to retake that as well. The rough part about that it all of them were conventional which meant a lot of developing :( Dang it! Such a time waster. By the time I needed to walk her out, I was able to complete her full Hx, HHx/Rx, and OD. I wasn't able to get to the OHI which was a blessing for her that she didn't even know about. Oh well. I survived an awful clinic and get some x-rays to go toward my requirements. Thanks to her! She has been such a blessing in our lives this month. She has saved us with dinner many times and now Clinic! Wow What a Woman!
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