Things looking up

On Monday this week I passed off the PE that I had failed the previous Wednesday along with the other PE's that were due. We learned to use the ultrasonic scaler on Monday as well. Things are looking up.

Bad Day

Today was rough. I had two process evaluations that were due. I was running short on time because we were charting the student's mouth who we were working on and the person I was paired up with had a ton of fillings that I had to chart. So running short on time I was rushed for time to practice for my universal scaling PE. After practicing for like 2-3 minutes I tried to pass it off and did a horrible job. So now I get a point deduction and have to try to pass it off again within a week. That stresses me because I don't think I'll have very much time to practice on Monday and so I will have to try to pass it off again without much practice next Wednesday because Monday and Wednesday are our only clinic days. I feel frustrated because they tell us that were going to have a practice day and then we spend 3/4 of the day filling out paperwork and charting and are left with very little practice time. I don't need to practice my charting and paperwork skills. I need to practice scaling and probing and I have not been given enough time to do so. I can practice charting at home too if I needed to but I can't practice all of the other skills because I don't have the equipment and it is illegal because it would be considered practicing without a license. I don't see why they are wasting out time with paperwork and not letting us practice.

Practice Day

Today we learned about the intra oral camera, but for the most part it was a practice day. That meant that we had a binch of time to practice whatever skills we wanted. I feel like I have learned and forgotten so much at the same time. Before we sould practicte we had to complete a health history for the student we were partnered up with. it has been so long since we learned health history that I felt like I was having a hard time remembering what went where and how I was supposed to phrase things. My student partner was way paranoid for me to go in her mouth with certain instruments which was somewhat disappointing because it made me more tense and I felt like it made my practice go much less smoothly. But overall I'm still doing good.

Fluoride is Amazing

I was just reading in chapter 33 of Clinical practices of the Dental Hygienist 10th edition by Ester M. Wilkins and found out that not only will fluoride make your teeth harder and help prevent cavities but "pre-eruptive fluoride also results in the development of shallower occlusal grooves, reducing the rick of fissure carries." I thought that was pretty awesome.

Charting Galore

Today we had radiology off because the Monday group had missed labor day so we were ahead of them, and in order to get us back together again we got a day off. In clinic we learned how to chart existing restorations and problem areas. The best part however was that today I passed off three PE's. Yeah!!! That means that I am ahead and don't have to stress as much about running out of time for PE's next week.

Disclose Me

So today in clinic we learned how to give our patients disclosing agents and do a plaque free index. Everyone had their teeth stained purple/blue. It was actually really cool to be able to see where all of the plaque was at. It also showed you where you needed to focus more on brushing.

Let the Scaling Begin

This week has been good but rough. On Monday we started anterior scaling on each other. That was very intimidating. I am really scared to try and pass off my probe PE today because I have not been able to practice probing that much. Radiology has been good but today I had to retake some films because the scan x films were messed up so the images came out really retarded. But I am still plugging along and doing my best.