Last VA Day of the Semester

Today was the day of the Hurricane winds...We risked our lives to get down to Salt Lake, and I am not joking. It was insane. Tipped over semi's everywhere! Other than that today was pretty normal, except for the fact that Sarah had a family emergency in the afternoon, and needed to get home, but Prof. McConaughy wouldn't let her leave because that would mean all 5 of us would have to leave because we drove together. Kinda sad. But what can you do. She makes the rules. My morning pt went great, didn't miss anything, he was a very sweet old man, and we had a lot to talk about. The afternoon however...a different story. It was like I have never cleaned a mouth in my life. Apparently I thought I did so well, and I thought I removed every piece of calculus in his mouth. Wrong. I missed sooooooooo many subg areas that Prof. M had Connie come in and finish because it was time to leave for the day. I have never felt so dumb and embarrassed in my entire life. How did I not know??? I didn't have any BWX to go off of, and I think that would have helped to see the actual bone level and the probable radiographic calculus. But regardless, I felt so ashamed. All the girls made me feel better, because they said that exact thing had happened to all of them. But it still is such a slap in the face when it actually happens to you. It makes me scared that I won't recognize calculus in mass subg amounts. And I feel like I don't know how to scale teeth. I just hope it was a baaaad day, and I will recognize it next time I run across it, and know how to handle it. What a way to end the semester...whaa-whaa.

Lab #2

Can I just say that today was hilarious all because of one word...wheelchair. We got to attempt to lift each other out of wheelchairs and into the dental chair, and then back into the wheelchair again. So funny. I was a little uncomfortable at first because I don't particularly love to have my bubble invaded, but it was a good time. Turns out that I am pretty dang good at lifting people in and out of that chair. I practically sent Kristie flying out of the seat. At the end of the clinic day, as a contest, those who wanted to, got to try to lift Mr. Soloman in and out of the wheelchair. 3 of us tried. Kristie, Marianne and Me. There was no way I was going to pass up the prize...5 PA's of any kind. You can't pass up opportunities like that. I was a champ. I just lifted that man right out of the chair, and BAM 5 conventional PA's. Happy day :)

Psycho Patient

Today was the day of all days at the VA.  My morning was a morning I will never forget. This pt asked if I was LDS, and it was downhill from there. That was all it took. After he found out I was, he wouldn't stop bashing the religion and event/people that are a part of the religion. I didn't give into any type of conversation with him about it, but he just kept on going and going and going. I won't tell what he said, but just know it was enough to make me have to excuse myself and go find Prof. Bossenberger to let her know that I knew there was calculus left in his mouth, but there was no way I could take anymore and she would have to finish the appt. She understood, and finished the cleaning and did the exam with the Dr. She said at one point there when he told her what he was going to do after the appt at Temple Square, that she was going to need to call security. Luckily it didn't get to that. He Told The Dr. doing the exam that he wouldn't let any LDS dentist work in his mouth....and it just went on and on and on people. It was ridiculous. Here's to a day I will never forget, but wish I could. What. A. Day.

Wow. Today fell to pieces...

What did I do to have my ENTIRE day fall apart the morning I walk into clinic? My pt's I had scheduled for today both had car problems and wouldn't be able to make it to their appointments. So frustrating sometimes, because you can't control the clinic day sometimes. I have to say that if this were last semester I would have probably started crying, because I didn't have pt's and I needed so many requirements, and Costley would be questioning why I didn't have a pt in my chair....you all know this feeling. Luckily I am in Senior fall semester, and I have already met my requirements for the fall semester, so I wasn't to upset about it, just a little frustrated. So what did I do...Called my husband and my uncle. They are gems. I passed off  PE's on Evan, one in particular-air powder polish. The guy loves that thing. He grew up with it in the South. It is terrible if you ask me. I don't know who in their right mind would actually enjoy that awful tool. But my husband does, and he is the lucky one to get that PE passed off on. My uncle is the greatest. He Brought me twinkies and cupcakes to his appt. Love it! Ha Ha. Don't worry is OH is impeccable. And it turns out he lived next to Prof. Alexander when he lived in Arizona. Small world.

Mock Board Pt. Found!

Thanks to McCall supplying me a pt for mockboards, I wasn't too worried about hoping one of my own pt's qualified as one. Well today was my lucky day. I saw a new patient, and it turns out she is a class III/IV AND she qualifies for mockboards! Perfect, because now I can pass off the pt McCall gave me to someone who is still desperately trying to find their own mockboard pt. The lucky person....Emily. Yay Emily :) It is so relieving when everything works out. I don't how it happens, but it does. I hope this keeps on going for the next mockboards and for the real thing. Fingers crossed.

Great Compliment

Today was a gratifying day for me. I saw a pt today that I saw last semester. She is a class V. Nicest lady ever. Well, today she paid me the greatest compliment ever. She told me 1. that I have improved so much from last semester (speed wise, and technique I am sure) 2. It was the best cleaning she has ever had. And 3. She will drive 2 times a year to Orem just so I can clean her teeth! Wow. That was the nicest thing ever. I don't think I will ever forget that. It is really gratifying and boost your self confidence in something that you work so hard in to to so well in, to be told what she told me. I guess I am doing something right. Thank so much to my Pt. It really made my day to hear that.

Mock Board Day....

I think I handle stress well when I need to. But today, was so hard to try to keep it together. Even though it was just a mockboard, and the first one at that, it was nerve racking. I have never felt that much anxiety before. I think the easiest part of it was actually cleaning my pt's teeth. The worst part you might ask is the waiting to see if your patient qualifies or not. Terrible. Luckily she passed on the first try! So that was good. I found my zen zone when I started cleaning. It was like everything fit into place today, and I didn't really struggle in any particular area in her one quad. And it showed because I only missed one area. I need to find that zone again for the next m.boards and for the real board most especially. I am glad we get to run through m.boards to see how things are run when the day of the clinical board comes. Hopefully I will work through some of the stress of these days, and when the real day comes around it will be like an old shoe, and I will feel comfortable (as much as you can be on that day) and just get it done, and done well. It was a great experience. And I don't think I have been so tired after one clinic day in my life. That took a lot out of me!

A post about the VA

Honestly I didn't know what to expect about the VA. I have heard stories good and bad, but something new is always an adjustment, even if you've heard stories. The good thing about the VA is that you don't have to find your own patients, they are scheduled for you. Blessed thing. The not so good thing: their instruments are ridiculous. most of the sets are so ski-womp-ous and so dull, some even past the point of no return. It's frustrating sometimes to not have a sharp instrument in your hand, and you have to spend time sharpening all the time to get the instrument to some sort of function. I vote that they just start over and make brand new cassettes. Anybody feel that the lunch hour is ridicuosly long???? If we started just a little bit earlier and cut the lunch a little shorter, or went back to how it was last year that would be good. I love the time  we have, but being in Salt Lake and the time it is when we have to drive home makes it hard sometimes.

I love the girls in my group. We all carpool down together, which saves on gas! Yay for saving money. And I love having Prof. M as an instructor down there. She is hilarious and really good to work with.

I need Class III's...

I swear people this is the story of my life. Happened to me last semester, and it is happening again. Where have all the class 3's gone? Oh where, oh where can they be? Oh wait, I know, Brooke and Leigh are cleaning them all.

I have surpassed the quota for class 2's. Maybe by the end of the year if I'm still having issues, they spill over my 2's to count as 3's??? That would be good. In my dreams will that ever happen though. Heres to praying! I did see my first class 3/4 today! Woot woot! And I can use her for my mockboard coming up! Thankfully McCall had gratiously given me one of her patients for mockboard so I didn't technically need one for this mockboard, but it was nice to pass the one off McCall gave me to Emily, so she could have a mockboard patient. Anyone else think mockboards is confusing??? Here's to hoping that goes smoothly when it comes up on the 11th of October.

First Lab Injections

Today was pretty awesome! First time doing injections on each other. Today we did macillary injections (PSA, MSA, Greater Palatine, and Nasopalatine) I'm not going to lie, I was pretty nervous to give injections for the first time, because I didn't know how I would handle it. But apprently I love injections! I only shook a little bit because you don't know what to expect when you pierce the tissue, but McCall was a champ, and  I did a good job. I think the key is exactly what the professors said, to "not be a ninny" and just have the confidence to know you are good, and you will get it right the first time. If you are confident, your patient will be confident in the injection and not so nervous. I can't wait until I give my first injections to a real patient in my chair during clinic.  Great Day. The adrenaline was definitely pumping. Our class rocks. We are amazing.

LASER that coldsore!!

Today rocked! I HATE cold sores, but I have to say I got this one at the right time! Thank you Joy and your laser! After clinic today Joy was able to laser my coldsore that started last night, to reduce the time the sore would be on my lip, increase healing time, and hopefully get rid of the dang coldsore forever!! That would be amazing. I don't think there would be anything better then to be coldsore free for the rest of my life. Here's to hoping.

I saw a kid and another healthy adult. I am pretty good at these classes these days and am not missing any areas. Dr. Hansen said she looks forward to the day when I start sweating because I have a higher class in my chair, and not just breezing through the 1A and 1B's. I hope they start rolling in too. I need requirements!

Sealants

Today I saw a 1A and discovered that this pt needed some sealants..Perfect! Now I can pass off the PE. After I grab all my armamentarium for sealants I tell Dr. Hanson that  I want to pass off the PE. She comes over and watches. The first sealant I did the child was just not having it. His tongue was all over the place, it was so hard to keep things dry, etc, etc. The second one was a success though. I thought I did pretty well, but as soon as I was finished Dr. Hanson needed to talk with me. In my head I didn't think that was a good sign. When I walked over there she told me that she was going to have to fail me on that PE because I didn't wear, and my patient didn't wear the orange goggles? WHAT? I never learned that. So she told me that she just wasn't going to grade me on the PE and I could just do it another time. Ok, that's fine. No skin off my nose, not a big deal. At least she didn't just fail me. So after the patient was dismissed I went to talk to her again, just to let her know that I never learned about having to wear the orange goggles. That wasn't how we learned it in first year. Apparently that was shocking because if Prof. Bossenberger had seen me doing the sealant she would have freaked out. Dr. Hanson checked with Prof. Costley to make sure what I said was true, and turns out Costley backed me up! Wahoo. PE passed off because of that! I have saved everyone else from failing their sealant PE. Good day.

FIrst Day Back!

Today was the first day back over the great long summer (even though it flew). I was a little nervous to get back into the swing of things. I didn't think I was going to remember anything at all, and that I was going to be so awkward in all my positionings. Turns out it wasn't bad at all! I just got right back into it, and didn't miss any areas on my scaling on both of my patients! Awesome! It was such more laid back in clinic too. SO much different than first year. Here is to hoping that I can continure with this momentum through the rest of the semester.

Radiology TA

Today was the first day as a TA in radiology lab. It was a lot of fun too. I couldn't believe that when I lectured on the powerpoints that all the information I thought I forgot over the summer, just came back to me, and I could lecture without thinking that I didn't know the material. Good to know that my hard work from last semester only needs a little coaxing to remember what I studied. It is good to get to know all the first years...well half of them at least. I feel like I can help lessen their stress somehow with letting them know my experience from first year, and how I made it through. Hopefully they like learning from me as well. I know I will be getting better at my technique and I look forward to all the extra lab time I get to perfect my skills this year.

Today was rough....

Today I had goals to pass off PE's and take xrays, and hopefully have my class 3 come in.  She had been a 3 for years and I was just praying that she would stay a 3...you do that when you are down to the wire in clinic and you have 4 quads of a class 3 left to complete.  But she didn't show up...She wasn't able to be confirmed, and she didn't show up.  So. I had about 5 minutes of a mental and emotional breakdown inside my head.  I had to go to the restroom and stand in locked stall and calm myself and the tears from pooling in my eyes. I felt so hopeless. Life looked bleek, and I wasn't going to make it. Worst. Feeling. In. The. World. So I then started calling people to see if I could take xrays on them. No one could come in. Then out of PURE luck, miracle, divine intervention, I remembered a patient that called me last night to tell me she needed to have her teeth cleaned, so I called her. Long story short I finally convinced her to come in this morning.  But her husband came instead. Fine by me, at least I got a patient in my chair to screen.  Here is the miracle people....he was a CLASS 3!!!! 4 quads!!! and the patient I saw on Monday was classified as a 2, but I got a second opinion and got 2 quads of a CLASS 3! So I went from from the lowest of lows to actually seeing a miracle take place and ending up with 6 quads of a class 3 to clean next week. It was a complete miracle.  So here is to hoping they both show up next week, and I can pass off 4 PE's.  Leaving my only requirements as: 1 sealant, 1 BWX, 4 PA's, 2 PE's.  I think I can make it!! But here's to praying and crossing my fingers anyways.

My New Loupes

I love my new loupes! They are honestly one of the greatest purchases I have ever made. They work wonders. I am so glad I took the time to research them, and find the best company I thought would work for me.  It was like night and day in clinic today with loupes as compared to without loupes.  I still have to perfect them, but they are great.  I am moving right along with my requirements, but I am so completely stressed out over actually meeting them without going on academic probation.  My blood pressure and stress is through the roof right now. My patient cancelled today, so I had to find a new one...luckily There was a random man in the waiting room waiting for his wife, that needed a cleaning. Phew.  I need to pass off more PE's. I only passed off one today, and I have about 7 more to go! crap.  and PA's I still need a few more than a few. Prayers are continually being said in my head. If you are reading this you can pray for me too.  Here's to hoping for a better Wednesday.

2/23/11

Today I saw ANOTHER 1B patient....And she had full ortho no less! My first experience with a patient with full ortho....probing and scaling is quite difficult at times. At least she didn't have a lingual bar, and I could clean those without interruption.  My pt today was supposed to go and get her wires off so I could clean her more easily, and she would just show up a 1/2 hr late to her appt....well she showed up a 1/2 hr late today, but she DIDN'T have her wires off.. Ha ha oh my crap I couldn't believe it. Now I was super behind and I had to play the major catch up game. I was able to get one quad scaled today and pass off the ap polish PE, so not all the was lost today.  I am really freaking out about not taking xrays EVER! Please if someone needs me to take xrays, or has a pt to take xrays on I would greatly appreciate it. I don't want to cry.  My goal next week is to get the patient done in one appt, and hopefully take some xrays! Please for the love of all things good, let my patient need xrays!!!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentines Day everyone! I thought today was going to start and finish not the greatest today, because my original patient cancelled on me yesterday.  So it was a scramble to find somebody to come in last minute.  I finally found someone this morning at 8. YAY! Granted it was a four year old, but it doesn't matter I ended two hours early...I met my requirements for the day. So today went great. I honestly love working on little kids. They are so cute.  I only need one more 1A and I have met the minimum for that requirement.  No PE's passed off today. I will need to cruise on them when I start seeing higher classifications.  And I need to get more xrays taken! That tid bit makes me nervous. Here's to no patient day on Wednesday, and Monday! have a great week and love day today :)

Class V COMPLETE!

I did it again! I finished my pt in one appt.  He was a perio maintenance class V, which I was happy with. I so needed to start bringing in the higher classifications.  And it was a complete bonus when I scaled and finished all 4 quads today.  I worked on the sweetest old man.  He was so inquisitive about OH and the proper tb techniques and helping him ensure he does the best job to get the biofilm off.  He even asked to see the biofilm and calculus on my scaler during tx.  Ha ha it was such a fun appt.  Now I just need to get the xray requirements rolling in..I'm a little nervous about that. Have a good weekend, and Happy Valentines day!

OD to Complete!

Today I reached my goal of completing a 1B pt in one appt! I was so excited to see my improvement, and that I can get done from start to all 4 quads completed in one day. Such a good feeling.  My goal is to keep this up, and see how I do on Wednesday.  I think I have a higher classification scheduled on Wednesday, so I would be happy to get more than one quad completed.  I look forward to the day when I can complete a pt in one hour...as in the real world of general practice.  I had to book it at the end of the appt today to ensure I got done. At one point when time was running short, I seriously felt I wasn't going to make it.  But I did it.  I am happy to see my progress is coming along and that I have more confidence in my capabilities.  See you Wednesday.

2/2/11

Today was suuuuuper easy. My patient had 3 quads left to scale, and I was done within an hour.  Good thing he was ok with letting me practice on him, or I don't know what I would have done with the rest of my time today.  I would have passed off a PE today, but not one of them that I had left qualified to do on my pt. Slight bummer with that one.  Next week both of my patients are new, so I have to do the appt's from the very beginning. I haven't done that in a while it feels like. Maybe I will get one or two PE's passed off next week.  I am freaking out a little because I CAN'T find a patient that is a higher classification! Class 2,3, and 5, where are you???! I need a miracle. If any of you have one of thoses classes and want to pass them off to me, I will gladly take them off of your hands :)

PE'S are cruisin' and so is my speed.

I reached my goal today. 3 more PE's passed off today.  My posture was great according to Prof. Costley (she said she didn't notice anything wrong when I asked). I didn't miss one area with the lingual bar today, and I am mastering the ultrasonic, along with feeling much better about my position of my body and the patient and my instrument while scaling. Overall today was a good day. It's been a long day, and I am still recooperating from the horror of last weeks tests-a-thon.  Now off to do some of those stretches.

First complete patient!

YAY! I was able to complete my patient today from start to finish with all 4 quads done. Such a good feeling. And I passed off two PE's today. Really such a great day! next week I just want to keep my pace going and pass off more PE's.  I only missed a few spots of calculus today, which was another boost to my self esteem. To know that I really am improving from the start of the semester. Instructor Hafen showed me some modified chair postions today for the posterior teeth, and let me tell you...it rocked.  So nice.  I spent majority of my time bouncing between 12 and 8 o'clock. See you Monday.

My first 1A patient!

Today I originally had scheduled a pt my peer pal referred to me, that I have never met before.  I was able to contact her, and I even mailed her a hhx so she could bring it with her today to speed up the process.  When I was walking her back she told me she didn't bring any money today, and there was no way she could pay.  There was no way I was going to pay for her, so I just had to reschedule her appt to a later date in February.  Such a bummer, because there I sat patient-less for a few minutes.  Luckily I have a back up with my dental hygienist cousin and her little girl, so she brought her daughter right in. YAY!  My pt was 3 years old, and so so cute. Her favorite part of the entire appt was her pink cinderella toothbrush and the water with the "thirsty" straw.  I think I gave her water 35 times. ha ha.  I didn't think that 1A's would be that difficult, and it wasn't.  The only thing was that you really do have to get those linguals. Lots of biofilm hides out there.  So... if your pateint allows, don't forget to get the Linguals really well! I passed off one PE today.  I need to get cracking on those more.  I feel like I am behind, and I need to catch up.  Hopefully Monday I will pass off 2 more. My goal Wednesday is to pass of 2 PE's and Scale all 4 quads on my patient.  Wish me luck!

1-19-11

first of all happy birthday to my sister...She is 20. Yay for her :)  Clinic today was the norm. I worked on my 14 yr old cousin who is an aspiring hygienist, so it was fun to hang with her and show her the ropes today.  She is quite the talker!  I was able to take some xrays today, and meet more requirements, I guess I need to move away from phosphor plates, because I have met those requirements.  I got one quad done today, which I thought I would get a lot more.  Dang, I so wish I was faster and better.  I need to work on that next week, even though I  have no idea who my patient it...SCARY. Note to self: I need to call her this week. I wish I didn't miss calculus too ha ha...those lower anteriors get me EVERY TIME!  Have a good week...Let the tests begin!

1-12-11

Today was pretty good. My patient refused xrays, so I was unable to reach that goal.  But I was able to scale 2 quads!  Which is better, and I can see that I am improving.  My technique still needs so much work, and I am working every clinic day to improve that.  That Will be my goal for next week. I am contemplating buying loupes. I think it will be a great investment in the long run.  Only if it didn't cost an arm and a leg! 

First Wednesday pt clinic

Today was a pretty great day.  I really enjoy having Instructor Vinning as my pod instructor.  He is very knowledgeable, and really helps you understand what you need.  My goal today from last week was to get at least one quad scaled.  Which I surpassed happily with 2 quads scaled and 4 BWX taken perfectly! No retakes.  Happy day :)  I still have issues with charting and forgetting some things, and learning what each instructor expects out of their chart they are grading.  I guess it is better to fail on the said of information overload.  Only if it didn't take 2 years to chart.  Here's hoping to faster charting capabilities in the future!! I hope this momentum keeps going, and that I keep finding patients, and that I start to find higher classifications soon :) Peace out friends.

First Patient Day Spring 2011

So today was a little rough, but still went really well.  I had a goal with my patient to at least get one quad scaled, but I didn't quite get to it. Which is ok, because I took a FMX, so that meets a lot of requirements that way.  I am just glad I was able to reschedule my patient so I can get them back in and cleaned.  It was a little stressful at the beginning, because he was late! and then the scanx machine got backed up, and that was no good because That is what I was using for my xrays, so I didn't get back to start taking xrays until about 30-45 minutes later than what I had initially scheduled in the xray room.  I am happy I survived the day, and I will be glad when taleval is understood, and I can get past that learning curve.  I have scheduled the entire month of January with patients so I am extremely happy about that! Lets just hope that Monday goes a little better!

First day of spring semester!

I can't believe I am back here again....time flew over Christmas!!!  I think I was in denial the last week of the break, willing my brain not to think about the inevitable of a higher stress level...but that was forced out of my mind when the flooding of emails came sliding in....so here I am....and I am excited to get another semester under my belt...and then I will be one step closer to getting married! wahoo!  Today in clinic was tal eval: which is going to be quite the learning curve...graceys, which had me exhausted by the end of it...and ultrasonics, which I think I will love once I know how to use it correctly, and not feel like a retard...it is coming though, that is good.  It is SO good to see everyone again! So here is to another semester...GOOD LUCK!