LAST CLINIC DAY!

Today I finished my clinic career as a student at Weber State University. I can't believe I'm done. Those 2 years flew. Yet at sometimes they seemed to drag. I have learned a lot from this program, and I have improved leaps and bounds from where I was last year in clinic to where I am now, and a (almost) registered dental hygienist. After today I will never have to have anyone check my work or watch me give injections. It is all on me to make sure those mouths that I clean are spotless, and the patient is numb. It is liberating. I am so ready to graduate and move onto the next chapter in my life.  I have worked extremely hard to get to where I am today, and I hope that employment comes sooner than later so I can start my professional career.  Thanks to everyone who got me through these past 2 years, and thanks to all the girls who were right there along side me going through the exact same thing I went through and feeling the exact way I felt, and understanding completely. And thank you to Marianne for all the dental related jokes, that only we would get. :) Happy Graduation everyone!

Hardest Class IV EVVVV-ERRRR!

Holy moly. That pt I cleaned of Marianne's today was ridiculous. I have never worked so hard on one quad in my entire life, and when I was done I knew there was calculus on some of those teeth. It was literally like trying to remove cement off of root surfaces. This mouth has never been cleaned in this lifetime and the mobility makes it even more difficult. You've got to hold those babies in there while scaling. I didn't feel as bad that I missed so much because Marilyn had a heck of a time removing what she could, and she even couldn't remove it all. That is when you say: REFERRAL! PERIODONTIST! I learned a lot from that one quad. 1: sharp instruments are a must 2: use the right and left ultrasonic tips 3: mini's on this pt would help because she didn't have any recession. 4: perio files! 5: prayer 6: a towel to wipe the sweat off your face. That was a doosey!!

3/22/12

My board pt came in to clinic today so I could finish up his treatment. It didn't occur to me until today that I had my board patient, in my chair, with instructors around, that I could have them check the quad I cleaned last week to see if I missed anything....I was excited and way nervous at the same time. I couldn't decide if I wanted to have Jenn check, I didn't know if I wanted to know, or if I just wanted to wait until I got the results from WREB. I had her check. I just needed to know. When she started exploring my stomach dropped, and was nervous. And then when she finished checking she didn't even say anything! I had to ask her a couple of minutes later how I did. She could only feel one tiny piece of burnished calculus! WAHOO. Relief. IT was a relief because last Saturday, cleaning his quad was so difficult. I thought I had missed so many spots because of the tenacious calculus, and because he bled so bad that it made it difficult to see. It was great to know that I didn't fail. I just hope the examiners felt the same way last week.  Sidenote: when I finished his treatment today I got a chance to really look at his tissues today from the previous areas that had been cleaned, and they looked phenomenal! They hardly bled at all when explored! They were firmer, pinker, healthier. It is such a confirmation when you see before and after of what the pt's mouth looks like, and know that what you did for them was something great and beneficial for them, their mouth, and their overall health.

CLINICAL BOARD: Hygiene

Today was my hygiene clinical board....I was calm...yet nerves everywhere. Does that even make sense? I was prepared for what I had to do. I had confidence in myself, but I was still nervous because this was a pretty important board to pass. I think the one of the worst parts about the day was waiting to see if he qualified. Waiting for him to walk through sterilization, into the clinic with a  blue paper saying my submission was accepted. And he was! Phew, one huge step down! The next 2 hours were the fasted 2 hours in my life. I was the last one to submit my patient for check out in my pod. Marianne and Heather M. flew through theirs. I had mini freak out moments throughout mine because his calculus was really tenacious, and every time I went back in with my explorer I could still feel the dang calculus! I was thinking to myself, that I really hope I can get this off, and I don't leave anything there and nothing burnished. When I had 15 minutes left I had to just stop the scaling and to the recession and probing depths. I couldn't go back in with the explorer after that because he bled soooo much that if that explorer got close to that quad it would take me another 5 minutes to clean it back up, so it didn't look like a blood bath went on in his mouth. I just had to have faith that what I did was the best I could do, I couldn't have done any more than what I did. I did my best....I just hope my best was enough. He came back pretty fast after check out, so hopefully that is a good sign. I went home today, and when I saw Evan and he came over to give me hug because it was all finally over, I just started to cry. I had a lot of emotion running through me. Emotions of the last 3 months combined. It all just pooled over, when I finally knew it was all over. I didn't have another board, all I can do now is wait to see if I passed. It was a relief.

CLINICAL BOARD: L.A.

Today I took the local anesthesia board.....I PASSED!!! And I am soooo happy that I didn't have to pay $120 dollars to retake it. The first thing Evan said to me after we picked up the cashiers check yesterday was, "You better not fail" ha ha. Of course that was in a loving, no pressure way :)

I was kind of a little flustered before I took my exam because right before that I was McCall's backup patient, and when they called my candidate number to go and set up I wasn't there. I was in the clinic getting poked.  But luckily I asked one of the examiners if they called my name and if they did can I hurry and set up right after McCall was done. That wasn't a problem.  They were really good about that. But I was still a little flustered because everyone else was set up and ready to go when I finally got my patient back into the clinic and started to set up. Kind of not what I wanted things to go before I took this board. But Hailey helped take things off of my mind so I wasn't so flustered. My board went so smoothly. Not one thing went wrong. No osseous contact, no positive aspirations, they didn't ask to see the opposite side, my technique was spot on. The only thing was I shook like a freaking leaf! I couldn't stop it. It was like I was calm in my head when the examiners came over, but my hand wouldn't stop shaking. It was ridiculous. But I passed and that is all that matters! Now I get to inject my board patient on Saturday without anyone looking over my shoulder. Happy day, better live it up, because that will be the last time that will happen until after I graduate.

Last clinic before boards...

Today is the last day before I take my last two boards. This is the clinical portion and I feel like I am prepared. Nervous, but prepared.  I was able to see a class III today thanks to Brooke, so it was good to have one last practice with a more difficult patient before next Saturday.  So Thank you Brooke. I finally met my 1A requirement today...wahoo.  Back to clinicals next week....I feel like the skills I have developed will be good enough to pass both of the boards. And all of the mockboards we have had, has prepared me even more for knowing what will happen on the days of the boards.  I will definitely be more calm, because it will be at Weber, and we have run through the steps so much, I think I've got it. It helps too that I have seen my board pt at my last mockboard and I passed, so that gives me hope that I can efficiently remove his calculus.  I will say however that I am quite bugged that I had to pay $45 dollars to rent an ultrasonic unit that I use every week in clinic. I understand that we needed to rent them, but $45 dollars?! That is a rip-off.

MockBoard #3

Mockboards are finally over! Happy to not have to find another mockboard pt again. That chapter in my life is over. This was a good experience though because the pt I worked on was the pt I am using for my boards in March. I am seriously blessed to be able to have the chance to work on him before the board, especially in the mockboard environment I worked in.  The good news too is that I passed! There is hope yet for me passing in March! Fingers and toes are still crossed for a good day that day.  All 4 quads of my pt qualified so I used one for myself for mockboards and one for Kristie for mockboards, leaving me 2 quads for boards, just in case I have to pull extra teeth into my submission. Pretty sure I will only need one quad because he has enough calculus in every quad. But it is good to have a back up just in case something bizarro happens.  So glad I found this particular patient for my boards. He rocks.

Written Boards= FINISHED

I am so happy I am finished taking those 3 boards! I feel like my brain is mush. I am exhausted. I am relieved. A huge burden is finally off my shoulders! I can't do anymore studying for my next 2 boards, and I don't think I will ever be able to make myself study ever again! I remember always dreading taking these written boards when I got into the program, just because I have always had a little test anxiety, but I feel now, having gone through these past 2 years and the hardcore studying I have done the past 3 months has helped me not have that anxiety, for the fact that I enjoy what I learn in this program. I don't stress a lot over it because I actually like the stuff enough to want to remember it, and it retains easy for me. So here is to hoping that this theory of mine works, and I pass these boards with flying colors. Now I am heading out to celebrate with my husband :)

Written Boards...CHECK

I can't tell you how happy I am that all my written boards are done and taken! No more studying like mad anymore. I don't think my brain or body or spirit could take any more ha ha. I just hope I passed all of them so I don't have to relive any of that. I am grateful for the chance I had to study and relearn/refresh what I had previously learned, and recement all the knowledge I have pertaining to everything dental hygiene. I think that was very beneficial for my future career.  Now off to clinical boards in March! And I am more relieved about those boards because I have found my board patient!!! Happy Happy Day!!! That is seriously a burden I am glad and relieved to have off my shoulders. It was looking bleak for a while there, and I was doubting my capability of every finding one. The bonus is that my board pt is the sweetest guy. He is willing to do anything I need, and always tells me that I'm "the boss" and whatever I say he will do. Blessings! Thank the heavens for the board pt!

Board Patient FOUND!!

What a relief to finally find a board patient. I had a good feeling about the screenings we had today, hoping that from the 4 people i scheduled, I could find someone who qualifies. When McCall screened her one patient, I felt hope and jealousy, because she found a board patient and I had yet to find one, and hope because If she found one today, hopefully I could.  The first 3 pt's were a no go. Waaay to clean to qualify. I was feeling doubtful at this point in the day. That if the first 3 didn't qualify then the 4th one definitely won't. As I sat down to start on the 4th pt I asked how long it had been since his last cleaning. He said 2-3 years. Good sign. As I put the mirror into his mouth I could see calculus ant. and post. Good sign. As I started exploring, calculus everywhere! And heavy. Great sign. As I probed, all within the limits of WREB. Great sign. Alexander came over to check and when she was done she told me to "take my pick".  All 4 quads qualified! HA! It was a miracle. So I am using him for mockboard and boards. He seems like such a good guy, and hopefully I can rely on him. It will be good to see him in a couple of weeks for mockboard, so I can see what I am in for when boards comes around. Thank you board pt of mine!

Longest week ever

I am exhausted. LA written on Monday, VA Tuesday, Junior Clinic Wednesday, Clinic Thursday, Sealant Clinics Friday, Give Kids a Smile Saturday. Wholly moley. I need a break. It was great to be able to help so many kids and some adults throughout the week, and be a part of something great in the community, but it sure does take a lot of energy out of you. I worked in radiology all day with McCall on Friday for the sealant clinics. I think that was a good change of pace, being able to help keep the flow of radiology running smoothly and keeping the organization up to par with the processing of the all the conventional films and making sure they get to the right clinician with the right child. We were literally on our feet all day, and they seriously KILLED by the end.

I had a super creepy patient on the VA on Tuesday. Very inappropriate comments and once and the end of the appt he ran his fingers down my back when my back was to him filling out his chart on the computer. GAG. Awful. Sometimes I like the VA, but in all honesty it is not my favorite place to be all of the time. Only 4 more VA days of my life and I am finished!

I ws supposed to see my fall through board patient on Thursday afternoon, but he didn't show up. The nerve. It really bothers me when the patient doesn't have the courtesy to call you back, and let you know they won't be coming, instead you end up having to find a fill in patient when the appt has already started. For the love.

GKAS is always a fun event to be a part of. I have done for the past 4 years at least. it is always a good feeling to help the little kids out that have so many dental needs.

P.S Still need a board pt...any extras out there, you can send them my way :)

First day with Perry

So Perry is known to just grill you with questions throughout the clinic day. Good because it makes you think and bad because you can feel stupid if you don't know the answer. So far so good. I didn't get questioned as much as Brooke did, but it sure does keep you on your toes, and you study up a little bit more before the clinic starts. Which I guess in all actuality it prepares you a little more for boards.

I saw a 1B this afternoon. He had to leave an hour after the appt started....this was a good chaalenge for me to see if I could do it. We didn't take xrays, but I had to do a new patient OD, OHI and scaling, in an hour. The OD is what took the longest with charting all his existing work and then filling out all the paper work and getting the tx plan and walkout signed and printed. But I got him out at 1:30 on the dot. I was a little nervous at first when I looked into his mouth and saw his mandibular lingual bar full of calculus...and sheet calculus. CHALLENGE. No spots missed though. So I think goal accomplished.

Bad news.....terrible news....My board pt fell through. He won't be in town the week of boards. :( I called him last night to schedule an appt to confirm he was a board pt with senior clinic instructors and to start his cleaning. He told me the bad news. I cried for a second after I got off the phone. What a punch to the gut....Indian Giver. Here is now to hoping and praying AGAIN that I can find a legit board pt who won't bail on me. Happy board hunting.

Mockboard #2/Sealant Clinic...etc

I have found another reason I am grateful for being TA in junior clinic....I have found a board pt! Hopefully it all works out. He seems really reliable and he speaks english really well.  I need to bring him in for more xrays and to have Dr. Hanson and Prof. Alexander check the calculus so I can no for sure and have a lot of opinions on the pt truly being my board pt in March. There is one glitch though. He is going out of town for the first 2 weeks or so of March and he won't be back until the 16th of March. So the ONLY he could come is on Saturday. I need to call WREB and see if I can schedule him on Saturday since that is the only day he can come. Fingers crossed for everything working out!!! Mockboard was a good experience. I didn't do as well score wise on this one as I did on the first one, but I think this pt I had was a little more difficult, and I was able to think about what I need to do if the issue I had comes up again. I took the mockboard LA written that day too, and I only missed one. I think I am a lot more prepared than I thought I was...but I still have a lot to study because I don't feel confident enough...make sense?? I think I will be overprepared. I hope that is the case. I  have 1 week to get all the hardcore studying in. My deadline Jan. 30th.

Mockboard and this dang coldsore

I am thankful for being TA in junior clinic merely for the fact that I found my mockboard patient for next week! What a relief. I still have to take PA's on him on the day of mockboard, but I guess that is better than not having a qualifying mockboard pt. at all. I am so happy that my pt seems really reliable and he has been used for multiple mockboards previous to this one. That is a good sign.  My ONLY concern is that when he called to confirm his appt next week he kept saying "Tuesday" , and I would say NO THURSDAY...THURSDAY the 19TH. Then he would respond, "Yes Tuesday." NO! I hope his Thursdays just sound like Tuesday...I think I will be calling AND texting him so he can hear and read the word Thursday...the 19th. Oh my word, please don't be confused pt of mine. Folow up on appointments is extremely important.

I think the stress is starting to get to me...want to know why....because a new cold sore has surfaced yet AGAIN! I just had one in December people. This is a record for me. I maybe get a coldsore 1 time a year, not 3 times in the last 3-4 months. Good grief. My lip and self esteem can't take much more of this nonsense.

Clinic today was good. I am starting to overflow with the class V/II's but my speed is getting a lot faster, and I am not missing areas. I am proud. In Junior clinic on Wednesday I helped some of the girls perio chart, and I realized that as I sat there with one girl for an hour just on probing, just how far we have all come, me especially. It is something to be proud of to actually see your progress as you look at where the juniors are  right now to where I am now.  I have grown leaps and bounds. Good Ah-ha moment.

First day back

Today is the first day back of the last semester of my of college at WSU's clinic. 15 weeks and this anxiety ridden program roller coaster is over! Hopefully it all goes as planned. This morning's pt was a pt I saw last semester for a screening. She was sooo close to being my mockboard, but no cigar. I was able to jump right back into the swing of things with a few brainwaves along the way, like the order the chart goes in...botched that one. I can't believe what a month off does to your brain. My patient was a cute Hispanic lady who spoke a little English, but enough that we could still communicate throughout the appt. She hasn't had a cleaning in 10 years so was definitely some stuff to clean off those teeth. She was so nervous for the appt too, she kept on apologizing for how nervous she was. But I guess I did a pretty good job to calm her fears, because at the end of the appt she told me and prof. Alexander that I have "hands like an angel" Ha! What a compliment! Thank you, and Welcome back!