CA 10-07-08

Today I was the CA. I was left to myself as Mr Solomon had meetings for most of the day. Needless to say I was a bit nervous to run the whole show. The morning went fine. In the afternoon we had a bunch of walk ins that I was able to find hygenists that needed patients for appointments. There was a mother who brought in an extra son to see if he could be seen as well. I consulted with the scheduled hygienist of the scheduled son, she was not able to see a second child as this would be a 3rd patient for her. I was on my way to let the mother know this would not work out today when I noticed another hygienist was finished and just doing paperwork. I asked her if she would be interested in a second patient. I told her I would help with tear down and set up of her unit to help make it possible. She agreed and I informed the mother it would be a few minutes then we would be able to see the second son. We were fast she seated the patient while a prepared the x-ray room for digital x-rays so she could move through her appointment quickly as it was close to time at the end of the afternoon clinic session. Our team work paid off and she completed the appointment in pleanty of time!! It was quite a busy session in helping several hygienist tear down and set up for second patients.. It was great!!

Maloclussion

Today was quite interesting for me. My first patient was my kidney failure patient. I was able to finish him up and use him as an exam as well. My second patient was a 1B, but he had quite a bit of maloclussion, an over-bite of 100%, and an over-jet of 10 mm. His mandibular anteriors were bent lingually. When I first looked at his mouth I paniced! I am greatful for the ultrasonic for those really hard to reach places. It worked like a charm! When all was done I only had one mistake! The patient was quite a pleasant fellow to work with, which helped make the experience easier to manage.

hard clinic

Today I did find my mock board patient which was the high light and his x-rays have already been taken! This was the hardest experience I have ever had. I found out the difference in the use of the different ultra sonic tips. This patient is a 2/3 class and the calculus on his teeth is like granite. I was near tears trying to get it off. My instructor was the one that pointed out that the stronger ultrasonic tip would be the best bet for him. She stated that it will make the world of difference in the calculus removal.

My second patient had tenacious calculus on the mandibular anteriors so I used what I learned this morning on her with the ultrasonics. Things went much better but I am interested to use the orange ultrasonic before mock boards to try to get a feel for its us! I hate it when learning comes with such an emotional scale.

Sealants and kidney failure

Today I had my daughter in and was able to get x-rays and 2 sealants . I passed off 2 PEs as well so that goal was met well. My second patient had kidney failure, diabetes and he was on the list to have his kidneys and pancreas replaced. I had a physician consult to do and it took a while to get a reply. The gentleman had let his diabetes go uncontrolled for years and know would like to get his kidneys replaced but needs to have all his dental work and a clean mouth before any consideration can be had for transplants. It turned out to be an interesting afternoon.

2nd clinic

Today I saw my husband and with all his sensitivities and his connective tissue condition I was a bit concerned that I would not meet his needs in being gentle enough that he would not feel everything that I needed to do. Today he ended up with it being an extra sensitive day as far as discomfort is concerned. He felt every probe stroke. The ultrasonic was too intense for him; and scaling was just about more than he could handle. I was greatful that he had an improvement in his oral tissues from last time so there was not a lot of work that needed to be done on him. I am greatful to the instructors that will take the time to help me with my instrumentation angles. I am finding that it is a little easier to work on the patient with the additional information. Thanks. I was glad that my afternoon patient who I finished up with 2 quads of a 2 and 1 quad of a 3, went really well. I was able to finish him all today, furcations and all, and even a little ahead of schedual. What a change from last semester where I was practically the one to lock the doors up at night when I left clinic.

first clinic day - full day

My patient for the morning couldn't start her car so I was with out a patient. I was able to get someone to come at the last minute. The high light of the day is that both of my patients were eligible for FMXs. I was really tickled that I could get so many of my PAs done the first day! I did a lot better on my time management which pleased me. I hope that things continue to go so well for a great semester! Good day!

First Clinic of Second Year

Today was very informative, either that or I wasn't as overwhelmed so the information stuck. I was taught some cassette set ups that made sense and was able to set up a couple of sets of each so that I would be prepared for a full day of clinic work. Sharpening instruments made a lot more sense this time around and found that it did not take that long to sharpen my instruments and felt ready to start next week. I am excited about the instructors in clinic and look forward to working with them. This year is starting out much more refreshing and less stressful than last year. I feel ready to learn and am feeling more confident in myself and ablilities and am axious to progress.