Sealants - Yay! :)

Today in clinic we learned the correct procedure for placing sealants. In my experience as an assistant, I have only assisted the hygienist placing the sealant. So, today I was really excited to actually have the opportunity of performing the procedure myself. :)

We first practiced on models which I felt was extremely helpful. I practiced on a "giant" tooth - this exercise really helped me understand the concept fully as well as help me visualize where to properly place the sealant material. The sealant I placed on the model had a couple of little air bubbles that I had to fix. But I was glad I made the mistake because I now know what air bubbles feel/look like as well as how to correctly fix them!

After practicing on the models, we got to practice on each other. Marcy was my partner and, as always, she was great. She was really patient with me and provided me with great feedback to help me improve upon my skills. I found two premolars that needed sealants (#28,29) and had them approved by the Dentist. The procedure went very smoothly - it was a lot of fun! I was able to place the sealants correctly - without air bubbles. Instructor Demmings checked the sealants for me and assured me a job well done. I surprised myself with how well I did and how comfortable I was administering treatment. It's been great to reflect upon previous clinic days and see how much more comfortable I have become - it definitely helps boost up my confidence... I am really doing this! :)

Polish, more polish...how 'bout some fluoride?

In clinic today I had some mixed feelings. Either a cold sore or an outbreak of impetigo developed underneath my nose, which means no time in the pt. chair until it clears up (that's the sad part). BUT, we had the opportunity of learning some more skills - taking us one step closer to being ready to treat a REAL pt. (that's the happy part)!

All in all, clinic was very successful. It's been really fun learning new skills lately. I have definitely noticed a change in my approach to learning/attempting these new skills. At first, I would get really frustrated with myself if I did not understand the concept right away or if I could not perform the task perfectly within minutes of just learning it. Crazy, I know. But now, I am starting to notice how much more comfortable I am in my chair. Even though the new skills we are taught seem akward/foreign, I am a LOT more confident in myself and my ability to learn and perform the the skill efficiently. I think this has made all the difference and has helped me to grow not only as a clinician but as an individual.

Monday Post.... 10/24/2011

Well, once I again, I forgot to publish my post! So maybe I'm a LITTLE stressed... give me a break ;) Here it is:

This morning I was really stressed before clinic. I had missed last Wed. clinic because I was out of town for soccer and I was worried about being able to get caught back up - not to mention passing of PEs! :/

We first met in the instructor pod and discussed instrumentation strategies and treatment planning. I really LOVE the reference we were given for instrumentation strategies in Nield. Module 19 has TONS of great information regarding problem identification and difficulties in instrumentation (it's nice to know I'm not the only one out there with problems)! Anyways, Module 19 will become a great quick reference to trouble shoot any problems I encounter in the future during pt. tx - ultimately helping me to solidify good habits and provide efficient pt. care. :)

After learning about this great reference in Nield, we moved on to pt. tx. Today turned out to be GREAT. We went over how to enter treatment plans into Eaglesoft and then we were given the rest of clinic to practice. This was MUSIC TO MY EARS! I was able to get all caught up and stay on task -- Life is Good. ;)

Remember the ORDER... it's important!

Today in clinic we worked with the intra-oral camera. In addition to learning how to properly use the intra-oral camera, we did a mach pt. appointment from beginning until OHI. It was kind of nerve racking at first because, up until this point, we have never put everything together into one "appointment". It's a very good thing we practiced... I learned an importance lesson! I had just finished probing and I asked Prof. Would for an "OD check". She came over to do it and everything was going great - well, except for one thing. I had done EVERYTHING out of order. I had already disclosed my pt. and done OHI BEFORE Prof. Would did the "OD check" - making it PRETTY hard for her to properly do so. OOPS! :/

I guess, unfortunately, sometimes the BEST way to learn is by mistake...because I will NEVER forget the order of an appointment again - you can count on it! :)

Dental Screening 101...

So... I just remembered that I never finished my post from clinic so I am doing it now. Better late than never right?! ;)

Anyways, Wednesday's clinic was really fun! We learned the importance of performing and properly executing/recording a dental screening. First, we broke up into our pod groups and we were all given a different chart. We each reviewed our charts and then explained the dental findings to the other members of our group. It was a great exercise to learn (and see) the different identifications used to chart specific dental findings. Because no two patient's are alike, we were able to see a lot of different examples to help solidify how to chart each patient we encounter.

Next, we practiced on each other... let the FUN begin! :) Kayla was my pod partner and we had a BLAST - we were both in a silly mood and were finding ways to joke about everything... literally!

Even though everyday isn't always a day where I am laughing my head off, being in the program has always been fun - since day one. It has been very rewarding working so hard to get into the program and then being able to enjoy it. It's very comforting knowing I truly LOVE this field - I feel very lucky to be able to do something I love each and every day. Sure, there are moments of frustration, fear, and much stress. But all in all...there is nowhere else I'd rather be! :)

OHI and Disclosing...Yikes! ;)

Today in clinic we played with disclosing agents. It was fun but also scary- and very shocking/enlightening to see where I 'really' brush. Through use of the disclosing agents, we learned the Plaque Free Index (PFI) as well as OHI. Through practicing both of these tasks today, I truly learned the importance of patient education. It is one of the MOST significant keys to our success as hygienists. If we cannot properly educate our patients, we are doing them a great disservice.

Marie was my partner today. It was great to be able to work with someone in a different pod and get some different views/ideas/critiques. She was great and helped me pass off my anterior instrumentation PE as well and my adaptation, angulation, activation PE. I am feeling more and more comfortable/confident with instrumentation everyday. It's been SO much fun. Thanks Marie! :)

Oh yes... Curets!

News flash...Curets are FUN! :) Today we learned how to use one of our universal curets - the Barnhart. At first, I totally thought I had the hang of it. Unfortunately, Karen came to watch me and had to bring me back to the real world - I wasn't so efficient! But, I am glad she came to my rescue to correct me of any and all of the bad habits I was creating for myself.

Kayla was my partner again today...what a trooper! I always, without fail, make her bleed (not a lot, but still). The day I don't poke her in the gums MIGHT be the day pigs fly - just sayin'! ;) Anyways, she has been very patient with me and has given me a lot of constructive criticism. One of the most important things I learned today was that I need to keep a LIGHTER grasp when scaling - using an exploratory grasp when feeling for plaque then a more firm grasp if I feel plaque that needs to be removed. This will be significant in patient treatment to make sure that I am not only efficient in finding and removing plaque, but also in keeping my patient's comfortable.

Probing + Exploring + Scaling = F.U.N. :)

Today in clinic we learned how to use the Nebraska and SH 6/7 anterior scalers. We also went over adaptation, angulation, and activation and their SIGNIFICANT importance in mastering the skills of scaling. After learning exploring last week, it didn't take too long for me to get the hang of it - yay!

Kayla was my pod partner and she was AWESOME! She helped me pass of my probe and exploring PEs - which was a HUGE relief because I was quite stressed about them. Even though I stressed over being able to pass my probing/explorer PEs off, I did a lot better than I thought. Doing well on my PEs gave me a boost of confidence that was much needed! I actually feel confident in my abilities and am starting to trust that I can REALLY do this.

Today was a good day :)