My First Real Patient... My Husband :)

Launce came in on Monday to be my first real patient.  I was quite nervous until I walked out into the waiting room to get him and he had a big smile on his face.  He also was quick to point out how nervous I seemed and that I didn't need to be nervous.  He made me feel a lot better and I was grateful for it.  We got to take x-rays first (after doing HHx and HHx Rx of course).  I feel the most comfortable with conventional film so that's what I used.  I also feel like it has the best picture quality too.  I was pretty proud of the x-rays I did.  It was fun to be able to show him his x-rays and show him everything that I could see.  He thought it was pretty cool too.  Then we started getting to work.  I decided that I really enjoy doing OHI.  I loved being able to show him the areas that he needs to work on a little bit better and how to properly brush and why you are supposed to do this or that.  Knowing that my instructions get to help others be more healthy makes me feel so good.  However, my husband gets OH instructions at least a couple times a week because of things that I learn in class so today was just another chance to reinforce what I talk to him about at home.  Ha ha.  I really am so glad Launce could come and I hope he knows how much I appreciated him coming.  So, Launce if you read this post I just want to tell you thank you and I love you!  :) 
    I thought that my real patient day went well.  It gave me a chance to know how to fit x-ray in with everything and how it will be having so many people working in the clinic at once.  I am excited to start seeing more patients and to hopefully start improving my speed soon.

Rest and Relaxation

Today I really did get some nice R and R while in clinic today since I was the patient.  I seriously thought I was going to fall asleep a couple times while I was in the chair.  I really liked having the opportunity to be the patient (not only because I got to relax and not worry about what was going on), but because I was able to experience what our patients will be experiencing.  I also liked being able to review what I need to do as Stefanie was doing my whole treatment.  I know that the more times I get to review information the better cemented it gets in my head.  I really thought Stefanie did a good job at explaining everything she was doing so that as a patient I would not be afraid or wonder what was going on.  I also liked seeing how the Stefanie and Pro. Costley talked to each other and worked together as a team from a patient's perspective.  It reminded me of how we always need to be professional in what we say, in what we do, and how we act.  I'm excited to finish out my patient experience on Wednesday.  (I'm even more excited for Monday when we have "real" patient day since Launce, my husband, is going to be my patient!)

Day 2 of Being Operator

Can I just say that I have loved being the operator.  I'm kind of sad that I don't get to be the operator again next week, even though it will be very relaxing to lay back in the chair for a few hours.  The first objective today was to pass off my Sealant PE, which went very well.  I did leave a little void in the sealant that I did get to fix though.  I think it is so neat that we are able to practice everything we learn on each other so we get a real feel for what to do on "real" patients.  After passing off my Sealant PE I did my HHx, HHx/Rx, and then I got to start scaling (but if Stefanie was a "real" patient I would have done OHI to see if she had improved since the last time I saw her).  I scaled her whole mouth today and it was awesome!  I got to get out the ultrasonic and see what that was like too.  I also loved doing that.  I really enjoy doing instrumentation.  It's very satisfying to be able to know that I am helping someone have better oral care by what I am doing.  :)  After scaling and having my two scale checks I rubber cup polished her teeth with toothpaste, since Stefanie didn't have any stains, and I put some varnish on her.  Today went by really fast I thought.  Stefanie was such a nice patient that she cleaned up my op for me while I wrote in her chart. 

Radiology today was a lot of fun too.  We always have such a good time together.  We learned how to do panos and duplicate film today, which was cool.  We even took a real pano on Kristie.  We even had a diet lesson from Marianne, which I thought was very good advice.  She said that you do not associate foods with being bad or good foods, food is just food or else you go crazy about what you eat.  I love all the girls in my group.  They are all so much fun to be around.  :)

I Am the Operator

Snow snow and more snow!  It snowed, interspersed with rain all day today.  I loved it.  It was so nice to be able to have our windows open to look outside since it was overcast and the sun was not shining in our faces.  I got to be the operator first and Stefanie was my patient.  I really enjoyed being able to put everything together like we will be doing for patients.  I also really enjoyed feeling like a real hygenist.  I was able to feel that way because I have learned many skills that I need, now I just get to keep working on them.  I like reviewing health history because I feel like it has the most detail, so I want to make sure that I am doing it correctly.  Probing went well for me today.  I don't feel so scared to probe anymore.  We only got through OHI today and we get to finish the rest on Wednesday.  I can't believe how fast the time went by today.  I guess that's what happens when you're doing something you enjoy.

November

I can't believe it's already November.  Some days I feel like school just started.  Well, today's blog is going to be a longer one because I didn't blog on Monday.  On Monday we got to do sealants on each other.  I thought it was a lot of fun.  Sam and I were partners.  She did 3 sealants on me.  She did an excellent job too (except we need to get the sealant out of my interproximal area because I can't floss.  Ha ha). I only did one on her, but it went pretty well.  I am so impressed with all of the dental technology.  I think it is so neat that someone figured out how to make a material that can stick to the tooth to prevent the tooth from getting cavities.  I also think the whole process of etching and placing the sealant is neat too. 
Today Sam and I were partners again.  We passed off the air powder polishing and flouride PEs.  Sam and I looked fabulous in our air powder polishing attire (hair nets).  Marianne made sure to get a picture of just my hair in the net because with my pony tail put up in it it looks like a snake.  I felt really good about air powder polishing, especially because I was "given" the opportunity to practice on Monday.  I really like the varnish because it stays on the tooth, but I don't like the way it feels all gunky on my teeth.  Sam gave me the foam fluoride that I haven't had for several years and I realized that I really missed it.  However, it's probably not as effective as the varnish. 
In Radiology today we got to take bitewings on each other.  I had a blast!  Taking x-rays on a real person was so much better than doing them on Dexter.  I have to say that I am very proud of the x-rays I took.  :)  It made my day!  My x-rays are killer, as Instructor Allen would say.  I also love the x-rays that were taken of me.  Seeing my own x-rays now actually means something to me too.  I love dental hygiene.  :)