Exam Day

I finally was able to scale today. I was happy about the results. I did miss three spots when I was scaling but I supose it could have been much worse. I also declared my patient an exam and I feel good about it. I know that I won't get 4 on everything but I feel like I will on the majority of them. I feel like my over all score will be good and I also feel like I learned a lot with this appointment. I definately know that I need more practice scaling before I will feel confident with it. I was much slower than I should be, but I do know that I am still learning.
I also passed off two of my PE's today which makes me feel like I am getting this semester going; 2 PE's and 1 exam.
All and all it was a good day!

Really Not My Best Day

There are some days that I wish I could just turn back the clock and start over again. I wish that today was one of those days. I wasn't able to seat my pt until later because the CA thought that I had grabbed her because I happened to be in the front when she walked it. It is always great to get started late. Then I signed up of xrays and I was some how over looked on the list. There was someone 3 people down from me on the list in the room when I went to check what was taking so long. I also had to retake two of my BW. I am not even sure if that experience counts since I had to retake 2 of the 4. I then missed a couple of composits. I marked them as sealants instead. I know that it not the worst thing that I could be, but it still doesn't make me feel great. From that point I the classification that I thought was wrong and got my computer completely messed up. I do hope that never happens again. Needless to say it took me forever to get her out of the chair because my walkout statement was completely messed up. I didn't even get to scale today---AGAIN! I really feel like I am falling behind, and I absolutely hate that feeling.
The only redeeming point of today was that I was able to pass off my anterior scaler PE. My pt was also a doll and I am grateful that it was a horrible day with her and not someone who wouldn't have understood. I wish it could have been a good experience with her, but not all wishes come true; very unfortunate for me today!!!!

Class 2 Exam

Things went very well today. I am excited that I have declared my class 2. No, I didn't get to scale at all today but I was able to cover everything else. It was nice to have time to give a complete and thorough OHI. I even went over smoking cessation. My xrays were not the best that I have ever taken but they were cleared by the instructor. All and all it was a good day and I look forward to bringing my patient back. Really, I just look forward to scaling at all. I have had all new patients since the first week and have not had the opportunity to pick up a scaler. I am anxious to do so. I am also anxious to pass off some PEs. I know the day will come I am just looking into the future.

1st FMX

Today was a little crazy for me. I didn't realize how long it takes to take a FMX after taking the films, processing, mounting, getting approval, and retakes. Due to all of that I didn't have a lot of time. I did finished, however, with only having to take one retake, got through my OD, and all but disclosing with my OHI. My pt today was a class 5 due to the recession that we found in her mouth, and that was a good experience for me to see. She also had a porcelain inlay which was neat to see. I am excited to have her back to scale.
All in all, though I was running around like a chicken with her head cut off, it was a good day!!!!

Another new patient

Today went well. My friend Ryan came in and I was able to declare him as a 1B exam. I know that I probably took more time on the OD than I needed but I wanted to make sure that I had everything right. He was great to be patient with me and to let me do what was necessary while he was here. I was able to pass off my explorer PE today as well. I was a little nervous about it because it was my first PE this semester, but it went well. I didn't get to any scaling this appointment, but I know that I will be able to get it done next time. I look forward to scaling. His films went well today as well. I didn't have any retakes which is always the scariest part for me. I don't want to expose the patient more than necessary and I want to feel like I know what I am doing in the x-ray room.
I know that I have so much to learn especially about time utilization, but I feel like things are coming together.

All Day Pt

Snow could not reschedule, so I had to be in clinic all day today. She ended up being a class 2. The experience was very good in terms of seeing a class 2, seeing supragingival calculus, and feeling subgingival calculus. I was also able to use the ultrasonic scaler. I LOVED IT!!! I can't imagine how long it would have taken me to scale had I not had the help of that technology. My biggest concern was that I would not get her done because that was the whole point of me staying the entire day. I tried to do everything right and get all of the deposits, but I was actually glad that some where left. I was able to go back with Prof Costley and really feel them and be guided in how to remove them. I would not have changed that for anything.
Though it was a very long day, my patient was a trooper, and I finished. My goal to get her done was accomplished. I learned more than I could have possibly imagined. It was a good day!!!!

Terrified

I can't explain how nervous about this semester and finding patients. I have had nightmares for 2 weeks that I flunk clinic because I can't find the people that I need. Talking to people today and after the pod wrap that we had I don't feel any better. I feel so overwhelmed and I know that my ulcers are going to be bleeding by the end of the semester.
I did like the ultrasonic today. I think that it will be a nice tool to have a use.
Well, on a positive note... One semester is down and others have done it before me. I don't see light right now but I am sure that it will get brighter as the days pass.