1st patient-2nd semester

So I thought it would be a little easier having my mom come in to the clinic, but it actually made me more nervous because she is the one I try so hard to impress not these people I have never met before! She reassured me, but I made many stupid mistakes. I guess I learned from them, like: Chart skin lesions as part of your extra-oral, posterior PAs are supposed to be horizontal (duh!?) and chart every detail about any medication someone is taking. I didn't even start on a quad today because for one the snow was horrible and the doctor didn't even get here until 8:30 and plus I took forever in radiology. I can't wait to feel like this is a routine and I'm still not guessing on most things!

First day, new semester

Today was just as overwhelming as the first day of clinic last semester. After a month-long break, I'm pretty rusty. I'm scared that I have a patient coming on Tuesday. It's my mom, so that shouldn't be so stressful but I am still nervous. I feel really uncomfortable about using the ultrasonic, but after I learn it I think it will be one of my greatest assets. The biggest thing I am nervous about is paperwork and scheduling patients. I really hope my chair is full every clinic.

11/14/07

Today was kinda crazy, Julie went first and took up all of 30 minutes of the clinic session. I felt rushed ecause the fluoride PE was due today and I was planning on also passing off the air-powder polisher and sealant PE. Oh well, next time Ill just take more time. WE learned PSR and really it feels pretty insignificant in the real world. I don't think I'll ever really use it outside of school. You might as well just probe the whole mouth. Today is Alyssa's 13th birthday! That makes me feel so old, she was born when I was eight.

11/12/07

Today we learned how to do sealants! It was super fun, but challenging as well. I did 3 on Julies teeth. I passed off my selective polishing and walkout PE today. I felt like the whole day was busy and productive. I can't believe it's getting so close to the end of the semester. I'm happy, but it's sad how fast it has gone by.

11/7/07

Today was hilarious, we all looked like lunch ladies with our PPE for air powder polishing. I don't think I will use it on my patients very often now that I know how disgusting the salt is! I passed of my posterior scaling PE. IT was good, but I'm starting to get antsy for the end of the semester and christmas break.

11/5/07

It feels like things are finally starting to slow down or at least get better. We learned how to sharpen instruments and ultrasonic in the same day. We passed off our intra-oral camera and got done early! It was a good day, but I felt like I had a really short attention span. Ultrasonicing is kinda hard with all the cords and foot pedals and getting sprayed with water. You can't really use your mirror for indirect vision cause it gets sprayed with water. Hopefully I work out all the kinks cause I think it will be a great asset to my patients and me!

10/31/07

Today is Halloween and we had lots of fun selective polishing, flossing and varnishing. THe skills we are learning lately are really fun and not as hard to master. I passed off my anterior scalling PE with 3's-4's and it felt easy. Next time we are learning about sealants for which I am really excited about!