This morning finally rolled around after a night of restless sleep. I was ready for my final mockboard. I had read over the candidate guide. I had all my paperwork filled out. I was ready to go. My patient showed up right at 8:00 and I walked out to the lobby to get him. The second I glanced at him I saw it.....I wanted to deny it, but then I looked again and it was still there. I wanted to curse the lesion that existed on my patient's lip.....you guessed it...a stinkin' cold sore. I immediately called Kami over and she confirmed the bad news. I had to have my few moments of break down from the frustration and dissapointment. My whole morning had just gone to pot!
I had to have Mr. Solomon explain to my patient why we couldn't see him and he was upset and disappointed (however, not as much as me!) Camille was my guardian angel today and she pulled out a name she had. Mr. Solomon called him and he said he could be there in 30 minutes. I didn't know anything about him and he was a new patient, but I decided to give it a shot anyways.
He showed up at 8:45. Kami took a look and we decided that he qualified! (praise the heavens above!!!) By 9:00 I was checked in (with no x-rays of course!), had given LA and working away.
At 10:30 I walked my patient to be checked out. I definitely felt rushed. I had no idea what the results were going to be because I didn't even have time to go back over and double check myself to make sure I hadn't missed any spots.
I was shocked when Perry told me I didn't miss any spots! I just stood there in disbelief!!! I did miss some points on my recession and occlusion, but I feel okay about that because I felt so rushed.
I'm so grateful for everyone who helped me out today and who helped me through the rough times. I'm sorry to all who had to see my tears! I just love our class and instructors and appreciate everyone's support! You guys are the best!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
In this world everyone cannot be pleased
Today sucked. Just wanted to get that out of my system!
I saw my grandma this morning. She is just the cutest thing ever and I love her to death. However, I felt like I was under a lot of pressure because she wanted me to get both her and my grandpa done this morning. I told her it may not be possible, but we would try. We had a few things that slowed us down and I was still just trying to hurry because I didn't want to let her down. Unfortunately I did a horrible job cleaning her mandibular anteriors. (you honestly would have thought that I started going to school yesterday). I was really discouraged. I'm supposed to be graduating in just over a month and lookie here I clean like a dental assistant breaking the law. Whatever. I'm going to try and just say that I'm still under the "board Hangover", chalk that up as my excuse and move on with life. I got xrays taken on my grandpa but he has to come back.
Moral of the story: You just can't please your grandma and grandpa, your instructor, and definitely NOT yourself in this situation.
This afternoon my patient no showed on me. I spent the ENTIRE afternoon calling patients to get them scheduled for a screening. People have no clue how desperate I am. I screened a patient waiting for midtown but he didn't have near the build up I was looking for. I can only hope that someday my efforts will pay off...and that day better be soon.
I'm ready to be done with all these unreliable people. Unfortunately I can't get my license without relying on them so let's just hope for the best over the next month and a half.
I saw my grandma this morning. She is just the cutest thing ever and I love her to death. However, I felt like I was under a lot of pressure because she wanted me to get both her and my grandpa done this morning. I told her it may not be possible, but we would try. We had a few things that slowed us down and I was still just trying to hurry because I didn't want to let her down. Unfortunately I did a horrible job cleaning her mandibular anteriors. (you honestly would have thought that I started going to school yesterday). I was really discouraged. I'm supposed to be graduating in just over a month and lookie here I clean like a dental assistant breaking the law. Whatever. I'm going to try and just say that I'm still under the "board Hangover", chalk that up as my excuse and move on with life. I got xrays taken on my grandpa but he has to come back.
Moral of the story: You just can't please your grandma and grandpa, your instructor, and definitely NOT yourself in this situation.
This afternoon my patient no showed on me. I spent the ENTIRE afternoon calling patients to get them scheduled for a screening. People have no clue how desperate I am. I screened a patient waiting for midtown but he didn't have near the build up I was looking for. I can only hope that someday my efforts will pay off...and that day better be soon.
I'm ready to be done with all these unreliable people. Unfortunately I can't get my license without relying on them so let's just hope for the best over the next month and a half.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
I NEED that golden patient!
Today went well. I had 2 new patients, so I wasnt quite sure what to expect. This morning my 15 year old girl had quite a lot of calculus. I had to numb her up so I only got her left side done. However, I was able to do a screening on her dad (who had never been to the dentist). We took 4 BWX and he has MOUNTAINS of calculus on his posteriors, but unfortunately he isn't ideal for boards. He has some teeth that need to be restored and we are worried that his calculus is going to be extremelely hard to get off, especially because his daughter's was pretty hard to get off. so, he may qualify for mockboards, but he still wasn't my golden patient....yes I'm still waiting for that special someone to come strolling in. It was kind of a crazy morning but thanks to Kami, Katie and Jackie for helping me out!!!
Lis took a pano on my patient and we found an impacted canine! I'm glad I was able to recommend that to them so we could figure out it was up there!
This afternoon ended up being a class 5. she was really motivated about the homecare suggestions I made....I like it when it seems like they are actually intending to do what you tell them to do. I'm trying to get screenings scheduled, but it just doesn't seem like I've even got any great prospects. It's discouraging and stressful, but until next tues I'm just focusing on boards!!!!! I can't wait for them to be over with!!!
After that however, I'm on a search for my golden patient and I'm open for referrals!!!
Lis took a pano on my patient and we found an impacted canine! I'm glad I was able to recommend that to them so we could figure out it was up there!
This afternoon ended up being a class 5. she was really motivated about the homecare suggestions I made....I like it when it seems like they are actually intending to do what you tell them to do. I'm trying to get screenings scheduled, but it just doesn't seem like I've even got any great prospects. It's discouraging and stressful, but until next tues I'm just focusing on boards!!!!! I can't wait for them to be over with!!!
After that however, I'm on a search for my golden patient and I'm open for referrals!!!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Simulation Day
Its days like this that make me worried about holding up in a regular office. I can do it fine as an assistant on Wednesdays and Saturdays...but there is just something about hygiene that wears me out! It is a lot more physically demanding it seems. Hopefully that is something I will get used to!
In the morning I saw two 1A's. I had a screening scheduled, but he cancelled on me 45 minutes before he was supposed to come. My first patient was about 10 minutes late and then the computer for the scan-x took like 15 minutes to get going, which put me a little bit behind! My second patient was an absolute doll. It all worked out with my cancellation because I was able to do sealants on her.
This afternoon I saw my husband, which is fun and not fun. I absolutely love him to death, but I think family members definitely can complain alot more than a regular patient. Thanks to Jake for being such a good sport and nothing against him with what I'm about to say....I want to know if I can fix something or do something better...but don't try to blame me when it's hurting just because you don't floss at home! It certainly isn't that tender when I get it done to me! haha if only everyone was as obsessed with oral hygiene as I am! It does make me realize why people hate coming to the dentist though....their gums feel just fine until we go probin' around in there! Maybe some day in a perfect world people will take responsibility for their actions, or lack thereof.
After this I had my last mockboard patient come in to finish her last quad. By this time I was so worn out...it definitely wasn't my best performance!!! I took 3 sets of scan-x BWX today and I love them! They seem to be so much easier for the patient. Now I just have to do some PA's with them and see how that goes.
I'm just glad today is over and I want to thank Denae, Lindy and Mindy for all your help turning over my units and taking care of my instruments....you guys are awesome!
In the morning I saw two 1A's. I had a screening scheduled, but he cancelled on me 45 minutes before he was supposed to come. My first patient was about 10 minutes late and then the computer for the scan-x took like 15 minutes to get going, which put me a little bit behind! My second patient was an absolute doll. It all worked out with my cancellation because I was able to do sealants on her.
This afternoon I saw my husband, which is fun and not fun. I absolutely love him to death, but I think family members definitely can complain alot more than a regular patient. Thanks to Jake for being such a good sport and nothing against him with what I'm about to say....I want to know if I can fix something or do something better...but don't try to blame me when it's hurting just because you don't floss at home! It certainly isn't that tender when I get it done to me! haha if only everyone was as obsessed with oral hygiene as I am! It does make me realize why people hate coming to the dentist though....their gums feel just fine until we go probin' around in there! Maybe some day in a perfect world people will take responsibility for their actions, or lack thereof.
After this I had my last mockboard patient come in to finish her last quad. By this time I was so worn out...it definitely wasn't my best performance!!! I took 3 sets of scan-x BWX today and I love them! They seem to be so much easier for the patient. Now I just have to do some PA's with them and see how that goes.
I'm just glad today is over and I want to thank Denae, Lindy and Mindy for all your help turning over my units and taking care of my instruments....you guys are awesome!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
today was well....fine
I don't have much to complain about today. I had a 1B this morning and then an easy 2 this afternoon. Things went well! I'm getting close to finishing my Eaglesoft project! The main thing I need to remember is with patients with diabetes I need to find out and record more information. For example: last time they took their blood sugar, what the reading was, have they taken their meds, have they eaten....there's a lot of thinking that goes into it!
I NEED 4's and a board patient! Where to find them is the question....Any ideas?
Next week is my clinic simulation day. I'm interested to see how that goes. My goal is to just pace myself so I can stay on task. I'm most worried about switching over my unit. I'm see 2 kids in the morning (from different families) and then a screening. In the afternoon a 1b and the rest of my mockboard. I just want to keep a cool head and have things go smoothly!
This post is pretty much just a lot of random thoughts...nothing of importance! Sorry!
I NEED 4's and a board patient! Where to find them is the question....Any ideas?
Next week is my clinic simulation day. I'm interested to see how that goes. My goal is to just pace myself so I can stay on task. I'm most worried about switching over my unit. I'm see 2 kids in the morning (from different families) and then a screening. In the afternoon a 1b and the rest of my mockboard. I just want to keep a cool head and have things go smoothly!
This post is pretty much just a lot of random thoughts...nothing of importance! Sorry!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Not my day!
Today at clinic went okay. This morning I had a patient come back from earlier in the semester. Kami bumped him up to be 3 quads of a class 3! (Originally he was classified as a two). Mentally I wasn't prepared for what lied in store for me and I ended up getting discouraged after missing several spots. She also showed me how to not adapt the explorer so much and just kind of use it like the very tip of a finger to feel for the calculus. I really liked that idea. I also need to use more lateral pressure against the tooth and not just lateral pressure into thin air!
This afternoon I saw a 1B...but not a relaxing easy one by any means! I took a pano...lined the machine up wrong and had to redo it. NOT a good way to start off the afternoon! She had 3 of her wisdom teeth so Alexander recommended to use an end tuft brush to clean around them (especially because #17 was tipped lingually). The end tuft brush was also good because she had exostosis buccally of her maxillary molars...this by the way unfortunately had to be pointed out by Alexander. I only ended up missing one spot, which I knew was there, but I still didnt feel that great about the appointment. Guess it just wasn't my day!
This afternoon I saw a 1B...but not a relaxing easy one by any means! I took a pano...lined the machine up wrong and had to redo it. NOT a good way to start off the afternoon! She had 3 of her wisdom teeth so Alexander recommended to use an end tuft brush to clean around them (especially because #17 was tipped lingually). The end tuft brush was also good because she had exostosis buccally of her maxillary molars...this by the way unfortunately had to be pointed out by Alexander. I only ended up missing one spot, which I knew was there, but I still didnt feel that great about the appointment. Guess it just wasn't my day!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Whew!
10 pounds have been lifted off my shoulders today!!!! I found a mockboard patient! She seems to be very reliable and willing to help. Her dentist had told her he wouldn't start the treatment plan until she had her teeth cleaned (smart idea!). When I talked to her on the phone she said she needed a deep cleaning and wanted to be numbed up and everything...I wasn't quite sure what to expect. She ended up being a class 2, but with only 1 quad that would qualify for mockboards (not as deep of a cleaning as I was thinking!). She had x-rays in oct. of 2008 so she is bringing her BWX with her, and we took 4 pa's of the LR quad today. Her calculus is pretty tenacious (I cleaned the left side today), I think partly because she is a smoker. I implemented some of what we learned this week in class about smoking cessation and she told me her and her boyfriend both want to quit. I really hope she does!
This morning Denae was kind enough to let me do a sealant on one of her patients. (luckily my patient was way cool and let me step away for a minute). Thanks Denae....it feels good to get one of those out of the way!
This afternoon was a breeze. I had a 1B, pretty dang healthy. It was nice for a change to have an easy patient. Although at the same time I'm wishing I was fulfilling some harder requirements. We took 1 PA because she had her lip pierced to the left of the midline and she wanted to check on the bone level. I'm getting closer to meeting my PA requirements! Overall it was a fun afternoon.
I was stressing out so bad and so it was such a relief to find my mockboard patient today. Now of course I will stress that she will qualify for sure and that everything will go well, but I think it will. Thank heavens for answered prayers!!!!!
This morning Denae was kind enough to let me do a sealant on one of her patients. (luckily my patient was way cool and let me step away for a minute). Thanks Denae....it feels good to get one of those out of the way!
This afternoon was a breeze. I had a 1B, pretty dang healthy. It was nice for a change to have an easy patient. Although at the same time I'm wishing I was fulfilling some harder requirements. We took 1 PA because she had her lip pierced to the left of the midline and she wanted to check on the bone level. I'm getting closer to meeting my PA requirements! Overall it was a fun afternoon.
I was stressing out so bad and so it was such a relief to find my mockboard patient today. Now of course I will stress that she will qualify for sure and that everything will go well, but I think it will. Thank heavens for answered prayers!!!!!
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