What a Frustrating Day... Many Lessons Can Be Learned!

Yesterday in clinic I had an AWFUL day...probably my worst! I saw a pt. with special needs and that really made me really nervous because I didn't want to offend my patient or make him feel uncomfortable. My patient was blind and it makes sense but I didn't realize how apprehensive he would be throughout the appointment. I really had to shift how I approached the whole appointment - especially pt. education regarding OHI.

During scaling, my pt. fought me the whole time. This was really hard for me and made me really timid because I was afraid of my pt being uncomfortable. I definitely let me patient take control of the appointment and it kind of bit me in the behind! I missed eight spots and became really discouraged and somewhat questioned my skills. But I need to put this behind me and let it "roll of my back". I need to take the great learning experiences from this appointment and leave the rest behind!

Tomorrow is a new day and it is going to be great - I CAN DO THIS!!

REAL class II patient!

Today in clinic I saw my first REAL class II patient to meet my class II requirements. It was SO much different than cleaning a 1B patient (obviously) but it was a lot of fun! Today I began to truly understood the need for good OHI and patient treatment. OHI has a completely different meaning and approach when dealing with a perio patient as apposed to a healthy patient.

I also had the opportunity of using my ultrasonic slim line and it was AWESOME! Although I loved using the slim line, I now know the importance of using a combination of ultrasonic/hand instrumentation. The ultrasonic definitely helps but I am glad that I relied on my hand instruments as I feel that they are the most effective!

Today was a great day! I now feel like I can actually clean perio patients and do a good job. I know that I have a long way to go...but I am glad I'm on the right track! :)

Another 1B Finished in One Appointment - ALWAYS a GOOD Feeling!

Yesterday in clinic I saw my second to last 1B patient. I had to take 4 BWX and a pano using conventional film. This was a challenge for me! Now that we don't have a dark room in the radiology lab we have to load the film for the pano in the daylight loader. As the daylight loader box is maybe a inch or two wider than the size of the pano sleeve/film, you can only imagine how this can become frustrating! I was getting somewhat flustered because I was afraid of running out of time. However, I was still able to finish my patient in one appointment - great feeling! :)

I learned some valuable lessons in clinic. FIRST, BE PATIENT! The more impatient you are, the more flustered you are...the more mistakes you will make than if you were patient and in control - I think that one is pretty self explanatory. SECOND, it is OK to miss calculus! I had the BEST learning experience today as I learned a new trick to make sure I am accurately and efficiently scaling line angles. BUT, had I not missed these areas, who knows IF and WHEN I would have learned these valuable skills. Time and time again I am finding that sometimes the BEST way to learn is by mistake! I know it is not the most FUN way to learn... but I can tell you the things I have learned through my mistakes I will NEVER forget! :)

I learned a new trick! :)

Today in clinic I finished 3 quads of a class V patient and passed off 2 PE's. I missed 2 spots on my scale check and was a little disappointed in myself when I found I had missed these two areas (OK I was REALLY upset). However, after talking to my Instructor, I found that I need to look at the positive in missing areas instead of the negative...my Instructor helped me to change my positioning so that I was better able to see the tooth and how I was adapting to it. Although it is never fun to miss areas, sometimes it is the BEST way to learn. If I had never missed those spots, who knows when or even IF I would had learned the different positions I did today. Plus, learning these new chair positioning means I am that much closer to refining/solidifying my skills as a DH - and that I am OK with! :)

I Love Pedo Patients!

On Monday I saw two patients. I finished 3 quads of a 1B with 3 sealants, and then I saw a 1A patient. I had such a great time seeing my pedo patient. I saw a little girl who is from a divorced home and is taken care of most of the time by her 21 year old Aunt. She is 5 yrs old and this was the first time she had been seen in a dental office/clinic. Being from a split home and never being seen before, she had a few problem areas. However, it was great to have the opportunity to make her first experience a positive one! I felt like she was one of the few patients I have seen this year that I felt like I could REALLY make a difference in. I gave her an extra toothbrush and toothpaste - one for Mom's house and one for Dad's. I know I didn't do a lot, but hopefully having fun at the dentist office and learning how to brush and floss her teeth will at least get her a step in the right direction. I truly learned how crucial OHI was today as I had to attempt to educate this little girl because no one helps her brush her teeth. Hopefully I make some sort of difference...