wow... What a great program.
I am SO proud that I was able to get into the WSU DH program.
I sincerely believe that we are the most qualified dental hygienists and that we will be the greatest assets to the dental community. The professors are great and teach us SO much and they are knowledgeable in everything.
I would hope that anyone that can't get in the first year, would continue to work and work to get into this program. DON'T SETTLE FOR LESS.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Last day - sad sad sad
I am mostly working on eb and flow of the dental appointments. When the patient first sits down, vitals are taken and oral screening is done. After that, I find a routine that will be best to get everything done efficiently and quickly.
There are certain things that you want done before the dentist comes in and you definitely want time to look through and make sure that you know if they have cavities so the dentist doesn't go, "did you see this on the distal of 3?"
I want to be a wonderful hygienist and I want the dentist I work for to look at my as a valuable asset that he couldn't do without.
There are certain things that you want done before the dentist comes in and you definitely want time to look through and make sure that you know if they have cavities so the dentist doesn't go, "did you see this on the distal of 3?"
I want to be a wonderful hygienist and I want the dentist I work for to look at my as a valuable asset that he couldn't do without.
What a crazy day
Today was crazy. I scheduled a family two weeks ago and I went around and asked people to help me see these patients. one was a class 3 and as people met their class 3 requirements, they let me know that they did not want to clean this person...
It was a little bit frustrating because I counted on certain people to clean these patients. I learned that I probably shouldn't employ the help of others - just get it done myself so that I know that they will be taken care of.
I also told myself that in the office, I will NEVER say that I don't want to do something. This can get you in SO much trouble. I don't want to be the person that is titled, "lazy."
It was a little bit frustrating because I counted on certain people to clean these patients. I learned that I probably shouldn't employ the help of others - just get it done myself so that I know that they will be taken care of.
I also told myself that in the office, I will NEVER say that I don't want to do something. This can get you in SO much trouble. I don't want to be the person that is titled, "lazy."
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Family make the worst patients
My mother came in to see me today. What a brilliant lady.
I found out though, that family make the worst patients!
She was complaining and saying, "AND WE DONE YET?" over and over and over again!
But I still love her.
I think that it was a great test of my ability to work under pressure. She would ask what I was doing all the time and tell me when I hurt her. I just have to be confident in times like these and get the work done.
I found out though, that family make the worst patients!
She was complaining and saying, "AND WE DONE YET?" over and over and over again!
But I still love her.
I think that it was a great test of my ability to work under pressure. She would ask what I was doing all the time and tell me when I hurt her. I just have to be confident in times like these and get the work done.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Class 5
I had a patient come in that I've seen three times now. She's a great lady. So funny and punctual and just reliable!
I didn't need class 5s but I was happy that she came in because I was able to complete 2 PEs on her. It was also nice to have a patient that actually listens to what you tell them and implements it. LAst time I taught her to adapt to her lower linguals and this appointment they looked great!!! It's good to know that we do good in the world.
I didn't need class 5s but I was happy that she came in because I was able to complete 2 PEs on her. It was also nice to have a patient that actually listens to what you tell them and implements it. LAst time I taught her to adapt to her lower linguals and this appointment they looked great!!! It's good to know that we do good in the world.
Boards
Boards went great!
Anyone reading this will probably get upset but I'm just telling how it really went for me.
I picked up my patient that morning and I suggest that those taking the exam in the future should do this because it guarantees that your patient will be there and be there on time.
Her first submission went through, which made me happy and the funny thing is that I didn't check which teeth I added as an extra submission but I started cleaning the wrong tooth at first!!!
Despite this, I think it went really well. When I checked her at the end, everything felt very smooth and I'm pretty sure I did well on probing depths.
SO if I end up failing I'm going to delete this post because I will be so embarrassed. And if I do fail, I deserved it because I really did think that I got off all of the calculus!!!
Anyone reading this will probably get upset but I'm just telling how it really went for me.
I picked up my patient that morning and I suggest that those taking the exam in the future should do this because it guarantees that your patient will be there and be there on time.
Her first submission went through, which made me happy and the funny thing is that I didn't check which teeth I added as an extra submission but I started cleaning the wrong tooth at first!!!
Despite this, I think it went really well. When I checked her at the end, everything felt very smooth and I'm pretty sure I did well on probing depths.
SO if I end up failing I'm going to delete this post because I will be so embarrassed. And if I do fail, I deserved it because I really did think that I got off all of the calculus!!!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Screenings are important
Today I told myself that I am ALWAYS going to do oral health screenings.
If something is missed, there will be lots of problems for you as well as your patient.
We've talked a lot lately about legal issues and I don't want to be involved in any legal issue. I will always do what I'm supposed to and DOCUMENT what I did and what was said.
If something is missed, there will be lots of problems for you as well as your patient.
We've talked a lot lately about legal issues and I don't want to be involved in any legal issue. I will always do what I'm supposed to and DOCUMENT what I did and what was said.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Angulation
The instrument is to be at a 70 - 80 degree angle to the tooth. This provides the best angle with which to take off calculus without burnishing it. I first use an exploratory stroke to find the calculus and then a working stroke to remove it. This is important because you don't want to be doing unnecessary instrumentation on the tooth.
I find that I know when I have the right angulation because the instrument grabs and you can hear a scraping sound.
I find that I know when I have the right angulation because the instrument grabs and you can hear a scraping sound.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Preparation.... H
Just getting ready for boards. Lately I have really started to doubt my abilities!
When it comes down to it, I'm sure I'm going to be fine but it is nerve wracking.
I REALLY need to get better at classifying patients. In real life, your classification of them will be the deciding factor on whether they pay 600 dollars or 150.
I'm not so hot at it....
When it comes down to it, I'm sure I'm going to be fine but it is nerve wracking.
I REALLY need to get better at classifying patients. In real life, your classification of them will be the deciding factor on whether they pay 600 dollars or 150.
I'm not so hot at it....
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
MockingBoard
Struggle for me today...
I know I've said this before but PLEASE PLEASE... EVERYONE CHECK THE FRONT TEETH!
We (me) get so wrapped up in cleaning the posterior teeth that we forget the anteriors.
And how embarrassing is it when your instructor comes to tell you that you missed the anteriors... OBVIOUS mistakes.
Don't do it ladies! (And gents)
I know I've said this before but PLEASE PLEASE... EVERYONE CHECK THE FRONT TEETH!
We (me) get so wrapped up in cleaning the posterior teeth that we forget the anteriors.
And how embarrassing is it when your instructor comes to tell you that you missed the anteriors... OBVIOUS mistakes.
Don't do it ladies! (And gents)
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Gooday!
Whew... RELIEF
Today I didn't do much...
except found a board patient!
Amen to that. mmmmmmhmmmmm
I also took x-rays on my mom for moackboards so today was an x-ray day. I like that I'm getting better and more confidant at taking x-rays.
x-ray competency is important. Dentists will want it done and want it done right the first time. There won't be much time in private practice and part of trimming down the 3 hours it takes us here to 45 minutes is taking good x-rays.
Something I learned today: If your patient is missing a tooth, put an extra bite tab on the x-ray so that they x-ray does not tilt in their mouth.
Something I will implement next appointment: BLOW AIR ON CALCULUS
The board orientation manual said that the first thing the examiners do is use the air syringe to look for calculus.
Today I didn't do much...
except found a board patient!
Amen to that. mmmmmmhmmmmm
I also took x-rays on my mom for moackboards so today was an x-ray day. I like that I'm getting better and more confidant at taking x-rays.
x-ray competency is important. Dentists will want it done and want it done right the first time. There won't be much time in private practice and part of trimming down the 3 hours it takes us here to 45 minutes is taking good x-rays.
Something I learned today: If your patient is missing a tooth, put an extra bite tab on the x-ray so that they x-ray does not tilt in their mouth.
Something I will implement next appointment: BLOW AIR ON CALCULUS
The board orientation manual said that the first thing the examiners do is use the air syringe to look for calculus.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Busy busy
Today was hecka busy.
My patient in the morning was a class three - suuuper fun.
I had him come back in the afternoon to finish him but I had to see a patient before him and I cleaned her upper two quads that were pretty bad.
I learned today that I can't take for granted anterior teeth... I realized that I am probably skimming over the anterior teeth because usually, they are pretty clean but this is not always the case! I miss three spots on the anterior teeth and one of them was on the facial of #8 - looking right at me! AH!
I also realized that I'm missing the buccal of the teeth as well. USually they're clean... BUT NOT ALWAYS!
My patient in the morning was a class three - suuuper fun.
I had him come back in the afternoon to finish him but I had to see a patient before him and I cleaned her upper two quads that were pretty bad.
I learned today that I can't take for granted anterior teeth... I realized that I am probably skimming over the anterior teeth because usually, they are pretty clean but this is not always the case! I miss three spots on the anterior teeth and one of them was on the facial of #8 - looking right at me! AH!
I also realized that I'm missing the buccal of the teeth as well. USually they're clean... BUT NOT ALWAYS!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Back to the GRINDESTONE
Today was the last first clinic of my college career!!! I am stoked out of my miiiind.
I started the day out right with a no-show pt... Wonderful.
But I was able to come back from it by doing 2 screenings, finding a class 3 and a mockboard patient for some lucky person (I already have my mockboard pt. Mommy!)
Today we worked on taleval - I still don't quite understand everything but I'm sure it will come.
I also need to work on classifications. I was 100 percent sure that my patient was a 2 but she turned out to be a 5. I need to get better at screening for calculus.
I feel as if I'm doing better with exploring - although improvement could still be met.
I am SUPER anxious for boards. I had a mini freak out last night that I am not ready and I don't know how I am going to get ready with a child who constantly wants me holding him. I really want to pass my boards... the first time. We just can't afford to do them over again!
I started the day out right with a no-show pt... Wonderful.
But I was able to come back from it by doing 2 screenings, finding a class 3 and a mockboard patient for some lucky person (I already have my mockboard pt. Mommy!)
Today we worked on taleval - I still don't quite understand everything but I'm sure it will come.
I also need to work on classifications. I was 100 percent sure that my patient was a 2 but she turned out to be a 5. I need to get better at screening for calculus.
I feel as if I'm doing better with exploring - although improvement could still be met.
I am SUPER anxious for boards. I had a mini freak out last night that I am not ready and I don't know how I am going to get ready with a child who constantly wants me holding him. I really want to pass my boards... the first time. We just can't afford to do them over again!
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