Done and Done!

Today was the last clinic day...tear! It's so exciting to have one semester down! I can't believe how fast the time has gone! We'll all be graduated before we know it! Craziness! Today we just passed off our last PE, went over CA duties with Mr. Salomon, and went over emergency preparedness. Pretty easy peezy lemon squeezy..nothing too intense. Hopefully next semester won't be too bad! I'm am nervous about actually having to find patients and making sure they're the right requirement and everything! See ya next semester! I'm out!

So i just finished seeing my first patient...my mommy! It was actually pretty fun and went really well. My mom said that I did a really good job and didn't hurt her at all, which I was super glad about. The only thing I don't like is that everything takes so much time because I'm not super fast at everything yet and the fact that an instructor has to come check everything! Awh well..i guess that's what school is for! I can't wait for the day when i can go zippity zip zipping along though! It'll be so nice! I'm glad that everything went well today though and that I didn't get too stressed or frustrated. I'm finally getting a hang of the whole clinic system and how everything seems to work so that's good. I'm also feeling pretty good about scaling and probing too. I just need to keep practicing so I can get faster. My indeirect vision is getting better too, which is super great. It's so cool to see the improvement I've made since the beginning of the semester! It's also nice to finally put everything we've learned together into an actual patient appt. It's amazing how everything makes so much more sense when put together! I'm finally starting to see why I like teeth so much again!

Today was my second day being the operator and Jenny was my patient. Everything went really smoothly and it was so nice not to have to probe this time! Woot! I scaled the rest of Jenny's teeth, polished, and applied a fluoride varnish. I also passed off my sealant PE, which was actually really easy even though it was one of the longest ones. It definitely helped having had previous experience doing sealants as a dental assistant. They were one of my favorite things to do in the office. I was able to do pretty well on both of my mock patients so I'm really excited for my mom to come and be my real patient! I can't believe it's already the end of the semester! My my how time flies! We'll all be graduated before we know it! One thing I'm working on now is being able to distinguish calculus from tooth structure! That gets a little tricky for me at times so I need more practice with that. I think seeing patients who actually have wads of calc. will help. Welp that's about it! Peace out!

Today I got to be Jenny's patient. She was able to scale the rest of my teeth, polish, apply fluoride, and even place a sealant. She did an awesome job and it was fun to be able to talk with her a little more, since we don't usually get that chance. Angelique had Jenny use some new instruments that she hadn't used yet and I could see that it took some getting used to. She kept forgetting which was the correct end to use haha i can totally sympathize because I do that all the time! It's so nice to see that I'm not the only one who struggles. I can tell that everything is getting a little bit easier each time though, which is a huge relief! Phewf! I was a little worried at the beginning of all of this that I'd never get it, but it's comin!

Go Ahead and Mock Me!

Today was the big mock patient day for me! I got to clinic really early to set up so that I wasn't stressed or rushed for time. Kathy was my patient today and can i just say...she is a sweetheart and too nice for words! She was so good to put up with all my torture! I think I was most nervous to do a full mouth probe because I haven't done it for a long time and am still really slow. I just bucked it up though, and was really surprised at how well I did. Everything else went really well too and I didn't get behind on time or anything! Yay! It's such a relief to be done for the day! Kirsten evaluated me and said I did really well so I'm super excited about that! One thing I noticed today that I really need to watch is my posture haha my neck is killing me! Shalie let me use her loupes for a little though to see if that would help. It definitely made my posture better, but I wasn't used to looking through them so it made me go slower. I'll have to practice more with them another day.

Day of the Mock: Part One!

Today i got to be a patient and it was so unbelievably nice to just sit back and relax for once in clinic. It was also nice to be able to see how it will be on Wed for me. I was paired with Kathy and she did an amazing job for having to go first. She kept up on time and did really well with everything, especially probing! I couldn't even feel a thing! It was beyond amazing! The only bad thing is I'm pretty sure I'm starting to get a cancre on the side of my tongue and it's killing me! Dah! I hope everything goes as smoothly on Wednesday when I'm the operator. Yikes!

Splatter Matter!

Today we basically only had time to pass off our air/powder polishing and fluoride application PE's. I'm pretty sure everyone violently dislikes the air/powder polisher no matter if they're the operator or patient. It's not the most comfy cozy thing ever, but it does work wonders on them extrinsic stains I tell ya. I still need to work on it, but I felt like I did pretty well for just learning how to do it a couple days ago. The fluoride one was really easy to pass off and we got to use the new varnish, which is basically amazing...just sayin'...none of that cakey crap! Now on to bigger and better things like mock patient week! Woot! Get excited! I can't believe how much we've learned in such a short time!

Sealin' it up yo!

Today we did sealants! It was glorious fun, especially since I've placed a lot of sealants from previously working in a dental office. The only difference was that in our office we always worked in pairs so it was a little weird working by myself. It went really well though so happy day! I got to work with Ashley N. and did an upper molar with indirect vision so I'm feelin' pretty sassy about my sealant skills right now. I also got to pass off my selective polish, which is another thing I feel really confident about, since I've done a lot of those on patients too. I love it when I know what I'm doing and don't feel like an idiot times ten. I do feel like I'm beginning to get the swing of things and becoming more comfortable with how everything works in clinic. I just hope I can pull it all off when we start seeing real patients.

Not A Fan of The Air/Powder Polisher!

Today we did air/powder polishing and selective polishing cleanings on each other along with flossing and fluoride application. I was paired up with mister eric today...haha ha it was an adventure indeed. I'd never used an air/powder polisher before, but I've done a lot of sealants so it was kind of similar to that and not to hard to figure out. I've done a lot of cleanings so the rest was second nature. It was so nice to finally do something I know and am comfortable with. The funny thing is that I did cleanings with my right hand in my office and it still feels more natural to do it that way haha..yes I'm a queer because I still have to instrument with my left hand so I guess I'm a little ambidextrous! Woot! Then it was eric's turn to work on me...pah ha that's where the adventure began..I had stuff flyin' all over the place! Grossness times ten! You'd think I'd be a fan of sodium particles pelting my skin at ridiculously high speeds..um..negatory definitely not a fan of the whole air/powder thing. It works a little too well for my taste..speaking of taste! Blech! Salt sandwich anyone! Like gag me with a naked barbie doll! Pretty sure my teeth felt worse after the cleaning than before..haha awh well! I had also had to pass off dental screening, which was totally simp! I can't wait for my mommy to come be my patient soon! Bah haha..poor thing! Peace out homies!

I played around in a boy's mouth today...shh!

Today we pulled out the ol' ultrasonic. I was paired up with Eric for the first time..haha..it was a little strange having a guy patient, since most of us are girls and that's what I'm used to. The ultrasonic is angled like the probe, but a lot easier to use. I felt pretty comfortable with it. I also got to pass off my intraoral camera and OHI PE. I felt more comfortable working with the camera today and felt good about using the flip chart and explaining periodontal diease slash dental caries. I wish we had more time to practice everything because I feel like we go through everything so fast and then move on to the next thing. I know there's a lot to learn but dah! It's frustrating sometimes to think we will be seeing patients soon and I've only had the chance to do everything for a little bit. I definitely have a long way to go on the road to dental hygiene perfection!

Say cheese....pizza!

Today was more of a practice day. I finally got to work on Mare again! Woot! Good times indeed! I practiced universal instrumentation the most and am feeling a little more comfortable with it so hopefully I'll be able to pass it off soon. Indirect vision is getting a lot easier for me. I just need to work on angles still. We also learned how to take pictures with the intraoral camera and using it was basically like indirect vision with the mouth mirror because you are looking at the screen on the computer while you place the camera in the mouth to actually take the picture. Whoa! Talk about sea sickness! I don't think we work with the intraoral camera very much so hopefully I can get used to it.

Three's Company!

Today we went over dental screening and learned how to chart everything on the DH Assessment form. Kim, Ashley, and I were in a three-some and I got to chart Ashley's mouth. It was hard for me to chart her restorations because they were all composite and a little harder to see the margins. Shalie showed me that if you dry the area with the air/water syringe you can see the margins better. Using your explorer is also another good way to define where the margins are at. She had a couple crowns and an implant, which were interesting to see in the mouth. The dental charting here is a lot more complex than what we did in my dental office. There's a lot I'm going to have to memorize, since I'm only used to charting very basic stuff.

What the Pellicle?

Today we got to work on each other using disclosing agents to calculate each others plaque free scores. It was really fun slash gross! I'm very anal about keeping my teeth extremely clean, but I had a lot more plaque than I thought I would. It was so interesting to see the difference between people who had just eaten lunch or who were really good at flossing. This also determined whether they had new or old plaque, which varied in color depending on how long it'd been there. I was also able to pass off my angulation and anterior instrumentation PEs, which went over very well. I'm feeling a lot better about using my instruments on patients and not feeling like I'm going to gouge their gums to shreds! It's a glorious thing!

Today we started scaling the posteriors and I think it went really well. I'm feeling a lot more comfortable with everything! Yay! I also passed off my explorer PE thank goodness! Today was a good day!

Missing my Mare! Hee-haw!

Phewf! Today I was able to pass off probing as nerve-wracking as it was. I'm probably being way dramatic and I've never been nervouse to pass off a PE before, but this one was definitely intense, especially since my readings had to be within one measurement of what the instructor got. Luckily I passed, but I'm still a little frustrated because a lot of my measurements were at least off by one. I really feel like I can't see the lines on the probe very well and have to strain my eyes really hard to even come up with a measurement. I'm just hoping that when I finally get loupes and with more practice that I'll eventually get the hang of it. We started doing a little scaling today and I actually felt pretty comfortable with it. I do need to work on my grasp though, since I have a habit of holding my instruments like I do my pencil. I was so excited to finally work on Miss Mare, since her cold sore was all better, but then we were told we had to work on someone we hadn't before...sad day..tearful snotbubble...but it was ok because Ashlee and I got to work together, which was still fun. It was also a good experience I think to work on someone else so I don't get too used to one mouth. In the real world I gotta be ready for pretty much anything so it's probably a good thing to get as much variety as I can even though all the girls in hygiene have beautiful healthy mouths. I do miss my mare though! Technicolor zebras unite!

Dah! I am so unbelievably frustrated right now! I am having a really hard time with exploring and it's hard for people to help me because I'm a lefty. I don't really know what I can do because working on my typodont is so much different than a real person and we don't have that much time to practice on each other in clinic. I hope i can get the hang of it soon or I'm in big trouble!

Time to Explore!

Today was our first day practicing with explorers and I definitely have a lot of practicing ahead of me. Right now I'm mainly struggling with fulcruming and which end of the explorer to use. I'll definitely be taking my typodont home so I can figure everything out. I also passed off my intraoral exam, which was pretty easy. I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment with everything we're learning so I'm just hoping that it'll eventually come to me and become second nature!

Slip n' stab!

Today was the big probing day! Dah! It was a little nerve-wracking, but still very fun and exciting. I feel like my first probing experience went very well. The only thing that was a little more difficult for me was finding the accurate depth for the col areas and getting the distals of the maxillary second molars...oh and don't let me forget indirect vision! Oh my word that's definitely going to take a while to get used to. I was also able to pass off my dental mirror and extra oral exam PE's with flying colors. Another successful day in clinic!

Fantastic Fulcruming!

Today in clinic we went through the intra oral and fulcrum/instrument grasp process PE's. I had no problem with the intra oral exam other than familiarizing myself with all the different structures in the mouth. The fulrcum and instrument grasp was a little bit more difficult for me. I'm still struggling with what positions to be in for what surfaces. The other thing that was tricky for me was learning not to fulcrum with my pinky and just letting it go along for the ride as Costley would say. I also had trouble with wanting to grasp my instrument too tightly. I think if I just learn to relax my whole hand I can easily solve both those problems. I will definitely be practicing these techniques at home! Mare and I did a little more practicing with our mirror positions and the extra oral exam. I feel pretty confident about both of those now. I was also able to pass off my vital signs PE today, which went really well. I've gotten a lot better at hearing the heartbeat and coming up with an accurate reading. Now it's off to take the dental hygiene test..wish me luck!

Massage Therapy!

I'm pretty sure the extra oral exam PE made today the best day ever...who knew going to the dentist could feel so good! Although the oral screenings basically feel like a massage for the pt. I do understand the real importance of them and helping the pt. to understand the overall purpose too, but it sure does feel good, which is a definite plus. I got to practice on a couple of people and have started getting familiar with what feels normal so that if I do ever run into any abnormalities I'll know it shouldn't be there. I actually got to do some of them previous to this at the Women's Clinic for community service. It was cool to actually see people in the community and get out of my comfort zone a little bit. We also went over the positioning of the dental mirror and once again it was a little hard for me to get used to where I'm a lefty, but thank goodness for Kirsten or I'd be lost! I still need lots of practice on how to hold and where my mirror should be at specific positions and for certain surfaces. Next clinic we begin probing! Super exciting! I also got to pass off my HH PE, which went really well. I feel like I've finally grasped that concept and could do one for a real pt.

Vital Signs!

Today we went through the vital signs PE and took each others vitals. It was a little difficult for me at first because I haven't done it manually in quite some time. At my dental office we had an automatic one and only took the pt. BP for major surgery like extractions so taking it for every procedure will take some getting used to. We were also given a mock pt. HH and had to go through and copy it into the tx record. It's starting to make a little more sense, but it still takes time to make sure I get everything recorded and in the right place...and I just have to say it's absolutely positively pouring right now and I love love it! Toward the end of clinic we went through the HH together and Miss Mare and I did pretty well on ours, with only a couple changes to be made! So ends another day of clinic!

Drug me up!

Today was the big dental drug reference day where we were given a list of drugs that we had to look up in our reference books and practice writing them down in the tx record. We also went over our HH with our pod partners to make sure they were current and all the information was correct. I was able to pass off my maintenance PE and pt. positioning PE after a more practice with my pod partner. Overall, I think today was very productive.

One o'clock, two o'clock, three o' clock rock!

Today we went over pt. positioning in class. It was a little hard for me to catch on at first since I'm a lefty because I had to do the opposite of what everyone else was doing. It also took me a minute to think about what surfaces I should clean in what positions because in my dental office I'm pretty sure I stayed in one position the whole time, bending and twisting my body in all sorts of awkward positions...just one of my many horrible habits as a dental assistant. It was wierd getting used to the different positions combined with the proper posture and use of ergonomics, something I'll definitely have to get used to. It's going to be a goal of mine to make proper posture/positioning a habit so that I can be in this profession for a long time. I've heard a lot of horror stories involving dental hygienists and work related injuries and I want to do everything I can not to be a part of that statistic. I was also able to pass off my exposure control set-up and tear down. So far, all of the staff has been very helpful and I've enjoyed working with each one. I especially like working with the TA's because they kind of have more of a feel for what we students are going through right now, since they've all recently been through all these same things the previous year.

A Lesson on Splatter Control!

Today we did some suctioning along with our exposure control PE. I was a little bit nervous to work on an actual pt. (my trusty pod partner marilyn) just because I haven't worked in a dental office and cleaned someone's teeth in over a year. It came naturally though and was really fun. I realized just how much I miss getting to see patients. There's just something about cleaning teeth that gets me excited. Everything we've been learning so far is pretty easy and mostly common sense, but if you think about it too hard it can get a little confusing as far as when you wash your hands again and re-glove, what to barrier, what order to do each of the steps in, etc. We also went over instrumentation and equipment maintenance. It was interesting to me to see how much different the WSU dental clinic and the office that I worked in do things as far as exposure control and maintenance of the equipment. I'm sure that's why the equipment and everything else here stays in such good shape.
The highlight of my day though was definitely when Miss Marilyn and I were learning how to refill the solution to clean the lines and she turned on the faucet and it sprayed all over the sink, walls, drying instruments, and heaven forbid her labcoat! Now she has to take it home and give it a good cleaning...haha..good times.

Oh OSHA!

Today was my second day of clinic and it went pretty fantastic other than the fact that I secretly almost passed out listening to the exposure control PE because I was so unbelievably hot in my lab coat and the fact that when I finally got cooled down we began watching a ridiculously cheesy OSHA video made in the 80's, which made my eyelids feel like grated cheese. The outfits, hair-dos, and lets not forget the important lessons learned were top notch though! Everything else was mostly just a good review of stuff I already know and have done, with the exception of barriers. We never used them in my dental office, but it's a brilliant idea! It may take a little longer, but is totally worth it. I think many dental offices focus so much on cutting down on time for efficiency that they forget the more important and critical things like exposure control! Take a chill pill people and remember what dental healthcare is all about! Welp! Until next time!

First Day!

Today was officially the start of my dental hygiene adventure. It was my first clinic and wasn't too bad. We put all our instruments away, got settled into our ops, and familiarized ourselves with our them and the dental clinic. We also played a get to know you game and got some good laughs out of hearing everyone's most embarrassing moments. Overall, I feel like the day went really well and I'm excited to just dive in and start learning and doing everything! I'm sure I've developed some bad habits as I've assisted these last couple years so it'll be good for me to start fresh and re-learn everything so I can hopefully take those skills with me out into the real world when I actually begin my career as a dental hygienist.

Orientation Day!

So I never thought this day would come, but suprise...it's finally here! I can't believe I'm finally starting the Dental Hygiene program! It's exciting, overwhelming, and a whole bundle of other emotions at the same time! Yikes! This will definitely be my biggest adventure yet!