1/4 the way done!!

Today was the last day of clinic!! I can't believe how fast this semester has flown by! I have had such a great time and made so many friends.  Today we learned how to perform clinic assistant duties. Next semester we will be clinic assistant for one morning and one afternoon. We also went over emergency procedures and how we felt about our real patient day.  I am ready for the break, but excited to come back next semester! I can't believe I am 25% done!! WOO HOO!!

Real Patient Day

Today was our real patient day.  Brittney was my patient. She has a tiny mouth!! but she was such a good sport. X-rays took me quite a bit longer than I had planned. I think I was a little nervous for some reason. I had to take two retakes, but luckily they looked good.  I didn't have time to scale today, but she is coming back next semester to finish up the appointment.  I am so excited for next semester. I can't wait to start working on patients and seeing the results. It is going to be AMAZING!!

Coming to an end..

Clinic is coming to an end! We only have two more clinic sessions and we are done for the semester. I can't believe it is almost over!! Emily finished scaling my teeth today. She polished and placed fluoride on my teeth.  I am soooooo sick of fluoride varnish. YUCK. nasty stuff.  Monday we see our first patient. I am getting a little nervous, but I think it will go well. I am still pretty worried about the instructore situation. There will only be 3 instructors for 16 students. We are going to be waiting for FOREVER for a check.. Hopefully, it will go smoothly. I just have to be on the ball, so I can get a check first. That won't be so easy, considering we have an amazingly smart, on the ball class!

patient empathy day

Today in clinic I was the patient and Emily was my hygienist. She go a lot further than I did on my first day!! I showed up late, poor girl. I felt so bad. I'm going to bring her a dr. pepper to say sorry :(  It is really boring to sit in the chair for four hours. All I wanted to do was start scaling on someone!! In a week from today I will have my first real patient (Brittney). I hope it all goes well. I have a feeling it is going to be suuuuuuuper crowded. It's already a struggle to get a professor to come and check your work and there are only half of us working. Monday ALL of us will be working, so it is going to be a madhouse for sure!! Wednesday I am the patient again.  Another relaxing, boring day ahead. 

mock patient day #2

Today I got a lot done!! It was way more fun than last time was. Although, I feel like I forgot all of the skills that I have learned. I scaled all four quads and took too long so I failed that section (and I was the first one done scaling!). It is going to take some practice to get faster!! I'm excited to see my real patient and to be able to work on someone every clinic session. I can't believe that the semester is almost over, it's crazy! I'm almost 1/4 of the way done. WOOT WOOT!

mock patient day

today was mock patient day. I was the operator and Emily was my patient.  I went out front to get her and brought her back to my chair.  I went over all of the stuff that I would with a real patient. It was a little confusing and hectic, but it went pretty well. Probing took so long for me! I can't wait until it is second nature.  I get to be the operator again on Wednesday, so I will get to do some scaling. Hopefully the professors will tell us what to do and how to go about it, because I am clueless... I hope I'm not the only one that feels this way. Next time I get to pass of my very last PE!! Can't wait.

Nasty...

We learned how to air-powder polish and rubber cup polish today. These techniques are used to remove stain.  The powder that we use in the air-powder polisher is sodium bicarbonate that is "mint" flavored. GAG!! Tasted like salty, warm water. I'm a fan of salt, but this was NAAAASTY.  After trying a couple of teeth with that, I worked on the rubber cup polisher, which is MUCH more pleasant.  With the rubber cup polisher we used toothpaste..yum! Muuuuuuch better than the nasty salt stuff. After Jamie got all my teeth nice and clean with the rubber cup polisher, they had her put on a fluoride varnish. Fluoride varnish is a film that they put over your teeth that releases fluoride into your teeth. LOVE the IDEA of the varnish, HAAAAATE the feeling!! I feel like I haven't brushed my teeth for a week! They are all fuzzy and gross! All I want to do is go home and brush my teeth, it's driving me CRAZY!! But, my teeth will become nice and healthy from my fluoride application.

workin' away!

We jumped right into working today. We disclosed our patient, and then started practicing scaling. Dr Hansen said that she can tell that I have worked as an assistant. She said that my form is very good and that she can tell that I am comfortable being in close proximity to my patient (this is good!).  I didn't get a chance to work with some of the instruments that I wanted to try out, but hopefully I will next time. Dr. Hansen was very helpful today, I like her constructive criticism, it will help me a ton!! I passed off the intraoral camera process evalution. Now I only have one more to pass off!!

hygienist in the making

Watch out world, here I come!! Today, I was the operator and Jamie was my patient. I started by going over Jamie's health history with her and taking her blood pressure.  After getting my instructor's signature, I proceeded with extraoral and intraoral exams. I probed one quad of teeth (half of the bottom teeth) and recorded the BFI% (bleeding free index).

patient day

I was a patient all day today. It was pretty relaxing and a little boring. Jamie worked on me today and she is the most gentle person ever!! She did an awesome job, she will be such a great hygienist. I felt very unproductive just sitting in a chair all day. I did get to pass off my tx plan process evaluation, so I got something done. Next time I get to be the operator though, which is very exciting! I am going to pass off my posterior scaling process evaluation next time as well, which is scary.. This semester is going so fast I can't believe it!

Dental Screening

Today we performed dental screenings on each other. I was partnered with Ashley. We looked in each other's mouths and charted any finding that we saw in each other's mouths. After this I got to pass off anterior scaling. I had a little trouble with it because Ashley has braces. It was a good experience though, because I am sure I will work on someone with ortho during practice. I'm glad that Ashley was a good sport!

purple tongue!

Today we used disclosing agent on each other, which was hilarious!  We all had purple mouths and tongues. The disclosing agent showed us areas in our mouths that have plaque left on them.  We got to brush each other's teeth and then practice whatever we wanted to. I worked on Michelle and she worked on me. I'm not going to lie, I was a little disappointed in myself.  I need to focus on some areas of my mouth a little more when I am brushing. It was an eye opening day for me!

Rise to the challenge

Today was a hard day for me. I don't know what my problem was, but I was getting so discouraged! We learned how to scale posterior teeth and I felt soooo awkward.  It was a little frustrating, but i'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. Luckily, I have amazing friends and co-workers that made me feel better. I sat down with a hygienist at work and showed her my scaling tecnique. She said that it looked good, and gave me a couple pointers, which was awesome. I am fortunate to have so many great people around to help me! This will be a challenge, but who doesn't like a good challenge, right?

get that calculus!!

We got to scale some calculus today!! (even though it was only on our typodonts). We learned how to scale anterior teeth today, so I scaled off all the calculus on the anterior teeth of my typodont. We also got to practice on each other. I need to work on my working stroke. I pull it too horizontally, it needs to be more vertical. They call that "getting up on your fulcrum." I'll get it soon, I know it.

scaling away!

Today we looked at all of our scalers. We classified them and learned what each one is meant for. We bagged and sterilized them all which means......we get to use them soon!!! hooray! School is going by so fast! this semester is almost half over! I passed off my probing PE and probably looked like a fool, because I was unaware that I was passing it off and when I finally figured out that I was passing it off I started sweating bullets! I get sooooo nervous and I don't know why! I'm sure I will get over it though. Here's to another week of clinic down!! More fun to come, can't wait!

time to explore!!

Today we learned how to use explorers.  First, we practiced on our typodonts. Then we had a race to set up our units and Michelle won! I like when Michelle wins, because she shares her prizes with me :) Then, we got to explore each others teeth. Michelle made me bleed..but it didn't hurt! It was funny to watch how upset she got when I bled, even though it wasn't her fault (mostly). She will be an awesome hygienist! I passed off two more PE's today, keeping ahead of the game!! (it feels good to be ahead!). Now for passing off the probing PE.....

PROBE

Today we learned how to probe. I was paired up with Julie and she did AMAZING!! I barely felt a thing! Professor Costley probed on me to let me feel what it should feel like, and it felt the same when Julie did it. I am afraid to probe too deeply. I don't want to hurt anyone. I feel like I have a hard time determining when the probe is all the way down, but I will get the hang of it. The very back teeth are also very hard to probe! Luckily, I have friends at work that can help me practice!!

Prayers for Kim.

So much is happening! My dear boss, Kim Iverson, was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This was such a hard thing to hear, because she is such an amazing person and would do absolutely anything for anyone. It is hard to understand how terrible things can happen to such great people. She is having lots of tests done and meeting with specialists to figure out the best attack plan to fight the cancer. She is a fighter and a strong person and there is no doubt in my mind that she will beat this. I want to help her as much as I can! Kim, if you read this, let me know if there is ANYTHING I can do! Keep her in your prayers. We love you Kim!

Over the weekend Michelle and I attended and volunteered at the Utah Dental Hygienist Association meeting. We went to the exhibit and got fitted for loops, which I cannot afford since they are $1,300.00! We attended classes and a student forum. Best part, FREE LUNCH!! yummy! I also took Professor Costley's first test! I totally psyched myself out for it! I did pretty well, which is a huge relief! Super glad to have the first test down, it's always the worst.

Today, we learned how to do intraoral exams and intraoral fulcrums and I found something out....I CAN NOT FULCRUM!!! I need some serious help! Luckily, I work with some amazing hygienists that can give me some pointers! I passed off the DREADED health history PE today and guess what?? It wasn't that bad!! and it feels sooooooooo good to have it over with. Now, I have four more to pass off, hopefully I can knock some out on Wednesday. I have 3 tests and a quiz tomorrow, so it is time to study, study, study! WISH ME LUCK!

extraoral exam

At the women's health connection we performed extroral exams on patients. The second year students showed us what to do. Today we learned more about extraoral exams and the reasoning behind why we perform them.  It almost feels like a massage sometimes, which is wonderful! We also learned how to use our dental mirrors to use indirect vision.  Indirect vision is very challenging for me. I am so used to just turning my head in uncomfortable positions to be able to see what I want to see.  I definitely need to practice using my mirror. I can't wait until it is like second nature to me. My mirrow will be my best friend!

Busy, busy, busy

I had a radiology exam last thursday, a DH practice test today, a DH, Anatomy, Radiology, and Statistics test next week. We also get to go to the Utah Dental Hygienist's Association meeting this Thursday and Friday. We have been SO busy! My weekend is going to be crazy! We are learning how to take health histories, and it seems a little overwhelming, but when you sit down and actually do one, it's not too bad. I passed off instrument positioning PE today and next time I am going to try and pass of two more PE's. Instrunctor Chaffey went into labor three months early. Her baby is only 12 oz. I will definitely keep her in my thoughts and prayers. I hope everything turns out ok. I can't imagine how scary that would be!

PURPLE CIRCLE OF DEATH..

Clinics are getting more involved every week, which is so exciting!! We took x-rays on two quadrants (1/2) of teeth today using two different techniques with conventional film. After that we learned how to use the digital x-ray system. I don't like it as much as I like the one at my office, but it's still better than film! In clinic, we took each other's blood pressure and went over health history forms. It's all coming together now, and getting less confusing! I got a "PUPLE CIRCLE OF DEATH" from Instructor Hafen for forgetting to put my patient's name on the form....uh oh. Tomorrow I have a radiology test and I am volunteering at the Women's connection clinic as well as on Friday. There is also a practice exam open for Professor Costley's class that I need to take to prepare me for the test next week. I would also like to run for a presidency position, so I am excited about that.I have a LOT of studying to do and a LOT of fun to have!! What a busy, amazing couple of weeks this has been. I am so excited to see what else is in store!!

fun in clinic!

Put your hands on..

I love clinic days! We learned so much today. We took x-rays using film in radiology class today. We don't get to use ORA rings (an aid to make sure that you don't miss the x-ray shot) while taking bitewings like we do at the office I work at, so it was a challenge for me! My x-rays actually turned out pretty good though! I forgot how much longer it takes to use film than it does to use digital. I am spoiled at work! (thank you Dr. Iverson) While practicing my PE check off with Michelle, I kept telling her that I was going to put my hands on instead of saying that I was going to put my gloves on, duh...I can tell my brain is on overload. In clinic we learned the different position that we need to sit in while working on different areas of patients' mouths. I think we all caught on very quickly! It already feels comfortable to me, so I am so excited. I can't wait to learn more!

test dummy day

We learned how to set up and break down our operatories today. It is funny how nervous I get about forgetting something, when I perform these tasks in an office ALL THE TIME! In clinic we got to practice one each other. We were test dummies for each other! All we did was spray water and suction it out. I do this on pt's tons of times a day, however...when it is a fellow student, somehow you feel extremely dumb! On the flip side, it can be extemely helpful. Your classmate can tell you when something is uncomfortable, tips on how to make them more comfortable, and if they are drowning (well they can signal that!). I went around and took some pictures of all the girls in their operatories. This class is filled with such fun girls, I can tell already that we are going to have FABULOUS next two years together. I passed off my PPE (personal protective equiptment) PE passed today, I hope to stay at this rate and cruise right along with them. If you notice in this picture, I have a cotton roll under my glasses. Professor Costley introduced this little trick to us to prevent the glasses from smooshing our eyelashes while we are acting as the pt. Michelle wanted me to keep it on during this photo!

My first long day..

"I tell you and you forget. I show you and you remember. I involve you and you understand."
-Eric Butterworth

This is a quote that my head/neck anatomy professor gave us in our syllabus. This quote really connects with me. I am such a "hands on" learner! So I thought I would share it with you all! Today in lab we learned how to use a blue boa, which is a type of suctioning device. I found out that my bosses wife was the first person that the inventor sold to, which is so cool! We hooked up our typodonts to a mount so we could work on them in the dental chair. We worked on or suctioning and water spraying techniques. It's nice to learn tips and preferences of classmates and instructors. I passed off my first PE today, and got a 4/4! woot woot! I learned so much information today, I think my head is going to explode! It's nice to know that I am not the only one that feels like this though, it is a common feeling among us first years. I dropped one of my typodonts in the locker room today and all the teeth went flying all over!! Luckily, I found all of the teeth. My goal this weekend is to get all my stuff organized!! I feel like it is all over the place... Wish me luck!!

Clinc- day one!

Today was the first day of clinic! I forgot my syllabus, and my modules. My nose would NOT stop running because I am battling a sinus infection. I also forgot to finish initialing my instruments! Somehow, I got through it! All the girls are so sweet and helpful. I can't wait to become friends with all of them. We got assigned to our own unit within a "pod" of four units. We learned how to use Eaglesoft, which is what the office uses that I work at, so it was easy! We did a scavenger hunt around the clinic to familiarize ourselves with all of the equiptment and supplies. As we were getting to know each other, we shared the story of our first kiss and an embarrassing moment. I shared that my first kiss was a dare, in junior high, and everyone was watching us! The boy bit me, and I had a fat lip for hours!! My embarrassing moment was when I was going over oral surgery instructions with a patient that just had her teeth extracted. When I was telling her to apply ice packs to her face, I said, "apply ass packs to your face." I was mortified! It turned out ok though. HOORAY for first days! There always seems to be some dilemmas for me, but I got through it! Time to step up my game.

I'm amazing!!

I started a blog today!! hooray me!