Today I only saw one patient because we had a lab in the afternoon. My patient this morning was another referral from my dental office. He was the boyfriend of a lady that used to work for my dental office. She called me and said that her boyfriend hadn't had a cleaning in forever and that he has periodontal disease. So I was thinking "Perfect! Maybe he'll be a class III". But much to my disappointment he wasn't. He ended up being two quads of a II and two quads of a V. So I won't complain too much, and I still have plenty of time to find class III patients.
He was very nice to work on and I was able to finish him completely. He didn't need radiographs because he said that he'd had them a few months ago. (I was trying to figure out why his girlfriend told me it had been years since he'd been to the dental office, but he'd had x-rays that year?? I was confused, but oh well)
In the afternoon we had a lab and we had a refresher on taking blood glucose and using the diagnodent. We also went over the saliva check test--which I am not excited about having to perform on one of my patients! Shannon helped us with periodontal files and graceys. I am still so nervous to use my periodontal files, I don't want to gouge my patients tooth surface! Lastly we were able to try out different ultrasonic/sonic machines. I definitely like our magnetostrictive ultrasonic, and it could be that it's what I'm used to. But the sonic scaler was very heavy and bulky, I didn't like it at all.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Signs of Improvement
One of my favorite things is to improve, and when I have actual physical signs of improvement it is even better!
Today I was able to see three patients at the VA! Okay I know this is really pathetic when compared to private practice, but it was a huge step for me in school. When we first started at the VA they told us that in a couple of weeks we would start to see two patients in the morning. I laughed inside and thought "Ya, right! Maybe at the end of the year I'll be able to see two patients in the morning". This was extremely overwhelming to me because I kept thinking back to last year and how I was barely able to finish a 1B in a single 3 hour appointment by the end of the year. But much to my surprise it happened today!!
Everything today just worked out perfectly for me. The stars were aligned, or something like that. My patients were easy, and I was able to finish them all fast. I like being able to see multiple patients in a day, it makes the day go by faster. This also gives me hope that by the end of the year I will be ready to start in a private practice and see 10+ patients a day! But for now I'll just continue taking baby steps...
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Appreciation
Today was a very emotional day for both my patients today. I learned today how the news of telling a patient they have periodontal disease can affect your patients. It's not easy to hear that you are loosing your bone and could eventually loose all of your teeth. Teeth are one of the first things anyone notices on a person. And if you don't have any teeth it can really have an impact on your self appearance.
My first patient was a class three and she had a lot of calculus. I was so surprised at how much she had! I hadn't seen calculus on the buccal, lingual and occlusal surfaces! While doing her health history I learned that she had lost her husband a year ago and that is when she stopped keeping up on her dental visits. She said her oral care really decrease as well. She was very emotional because when she lost her husband she lost her income and insurance. She is finally back on her feet, but it was a long journey. She was so nice and I was grateful to have the opportunity to clean her teeth. She really wanted to get healthy again. She said she could come at anytime and with any amount of notice!
My second patient was a class two and she was really worried that her teeth were going to fall out at any moment. She was told that she had periodontal disease and would need a deep cleaning or else she would loose all of her teeth. She was very emotional about it and wanted to be cleaned as soon as she could because she loves her teeth. She said she always gets compliments on them and she couldn't imagine being without them.
Today I learned that we need to be careful how we deliver the news to our patients that they have periodontal disease. It is not an easy thing to hear, and we need to make sure we explain everything about the procedure and the outcomes if they get treatment or decide not to.
My first patient was a class three and she had a lot of calculus. I was so surprised at how much she had! I hadn't seen calculus on the buccal, lingual and occlusal surfaces! While doing her health history I learned that she had lost her husband a year ago and that is when she stopped keeping up on her dental visits. She said her oral care really decrease as well. She was very emotional because when she lost her husband she lost her income and insurance. She is finally back on her feet, but it was a long journey. She was so nice and I was grateful to have the opportunity to clean her teeth. She really wanted to get healthy again. She said she could come at anytime and with any amount of notice!
My second patient was a class two and she was really worried that her teeth were going to fall out at any moment. She was told that she had periodontal disease and would need a deep cleaning or else she would loose all of her teeth. She was very emotional about it and wanted to be cleaned as soon as she could because she loves her teeth. She said she always gets compliments on them and she couldn't imagine being without them.
Today I learned that we need to be careful how we deliver the news to our patients that they have periodontal disease. It is not an easy thing to hear, and we need to make sure we explain everything about the procedure and the outcomes if they get treatment or decide not to.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Just Another Day
Today at the VA, it was just another normal day. I was able to get some x-rays! I took four bitewings and one panoramic on my afternoon patient. I am always happy to do that, because you can never have too many x-rays! I like the panoramic machine at the VA better than the one at WSU. It is like the one I have at my office, so I already know how to use it. Plus it is digital so you don't have to worry about loading film or the scan-x sheet.
I feel like I am so much better at the VA than at WSU. I am faster and I don't feel as stressed. Even though we still have a lot of protocols at the VA, it's still so different from WSU clinic. I still am getting used to the computer system, it is different than at Weber. But over time I know it will become easy to me.
They are starting to schedule three patients a week at the VA now! I am excited about this! Hopefully I will be able to get fast enough so that I can start to see two patients in the morning!
I feel like I am so much better at the VA than at WSU. I am faster and I don't feel as stressed. Even though we still have a lot of protocols at the VA, it's still so different from WSU clinic. I still am getting used to the computer system, it is different than at Weber. But over time I know it will become easy to me.
They are starting to schedule three patients a week at the VA now! I am excited about this! Hopefully I will be able to get fast enough so that I can start to see two patients in the morning!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
The Good Ole' Vets
I love the VA! I was very worried at first, wondering if I would like it or not, but it is so great! The only downside to it is the drive in the mornings. Plus I thought it would be a good idea to take a class at the University of Utah while I was down there since my best friend just started grad school and we wanted to take one together. So I stay down in Salt Lake after clinic and go to the class, which makes for a long day. But I am glad I took the class, and the patients at the VA make up for the drive. :)
Today my patient at the VA was so funny! I think everyone that knows me is a little worried I won't ever get married. (I remind them all the time that I am only 22 and I have plenty of time) But my patient today was asking about schooling and when I graduate. I told him I'll be done in April and then I'll be ready to start working. He then talked about how he knew a dentist in Arizona (where he was from) that would hire anyone hygienist that graduated in Utah and pay well. Then he added that he has a son that he could give my number too that lives in Arizona also! Ha ha! I thought it was great! I must look pretty old or something for a dad to offer to set me up with his son when all he knows about me is that I am hygienist! It made me laugh!
But on another note, the man was very nice just like the rest of the veterans. I am so grateful for their service and sacrifice to our country! I am grateful I have the opportunity to serve them.
Today my patient at the VA was so funny! I think everyone that knows me is a little worried I won't ever get married. (I remind them all the time that I am only 22 and I have plenty of time) But my patient today was asking about schooling and when I graduate. I told him I'll be done in April and then I'll be ready to start working. He then talked about how he knew a dentist in Arizona (where he was from) that would hire anyone hygienist that graduated in Utah and pay well. Then he added that he has a son that he could give my number too that lives in Arizona also! Ha ha! I thought it was great! I must look pretty old or something for a dad to offer to set me up with his son when all he knows about me is that I am hygienist! It made me laugh!
But on another note, the man was very nice just like the rest of the veterans. I am so grateful for their service and sacrifice to our country! I am grateful I have the opportunity to serve them.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Back in the Swing of Things
Today was my first day back and seeing patients at Weber State Dental Hygiene Clinic. I had already seen a patient on Tuesday at the VA, but I was still nervous to see patients again! I kept questioning myself if I still knew all the protocols at WSU (because let's be honest, some of them are a little ridiculous!). But it ended up being better than I had anticipated.
My patient in the morning was a lady that my dental office had referred to me. I knew she would be perio because my office told me she needs the "deeper cleaning" ie. root debridement. I was excited to see a good patient for my first one this year. She hadn't been to the dentist for years, and while my instructor was checking her, he said she would be a good mockboard patient!! I was so flustered at this! I was not expecting to find my mockboard patient on the first day of clinic! I didn't even know for sure what I was supposed to do. So I just cleaned one quad and scheduled her back so that I could take more radiographs and do a full on screening. But I am so glad that I have a possible mockboard patient. I couldn't have asked for a better first clinic day.
In the end the day was good, and I am back full swing in the same old routine. I just hope this year goes by fast because I am ready to graduate! :)
My patient in the morning was a lady that my dental office had referred to me. I knew she would be perio because my office told me she needs the "deeper cleaning" ie. root debridement. I was excited to see a good patient for my first one this year. She hadn't been to the dentist for years, and while my instructor was checking her, he said she would be a good mockboard patient!! I was so flustered at this! I was not expecting to find my mockboard patient on the first day of clinic! I didn't even know for sure what I was supposed to do. So I just cleaned one quad and scheduled her back so that I could take more radiographs and do a full on screening. But I am so glad that I have a possible mockboard patient. I couldn't have asked for a better first clinic day.
In the end the day was good, and I am back full swing in the same old routine. I just hope this year goes by fast because I am ready to graduate! :)
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