Don't blow away!

Oh my heavens! What a crazy morning. The wind was whipping around like crazy this morning and all the girls in clinic spent the morning looking out the clinic window at everything that was going on in the parking lot. This poor lady was trying to get something out of her trunk and before we knew it, everything was blown out of her trunk, back pack and all! A piece of sheet metal blew off the roof and just about hit my car. It was a close call! The list goes on!
I tried to call me pt and tell her to stay home, I didn't want her coming out in this weather, when she showed up! There were a few other girls who had their patients come, so we proceeded with the treatment. The whole time the lights were flickering and my cell phone was buzzing with code purple text messages from WSU. It was an eventful morning. I got my patient done in time so she could go to work, but she had to beg the officer to let her leave. We're on lock down and they weren't letting anyone leave the building. I hope she got to work ok! Man, Its been crazy. I'm glad I'm inside!

Much better day...

So, the last time my mockboard patient came in, life was miserable. I lost total confidence in myself and I missed SO many spots. I was a little nervous with him coming in this morning. I went through a touched up a few of those areas that I missed and then I completed the UL quad. Prof. Alexander helped me a lot with the lower teeth. There were a few areas that I missed because of the angle of the tooth in the mouth and the need to angle the instrument differently. She helped me with some great techniques that I'm excited to try.
Oddly enough I didn't miss any deposit on the upper quad that I did. What the!? I guess I do better with the upper quads! Another bright spot for the day, I was able to pass of my perio files pe. Now I only have one more to do this semester...LA! I will be crossing my fingers that I can find a patient to do local anesthetic on. I haven't found one! Deep breath...Everything will work out.

Oh! What a beautiful morning!

I had the sweetest patient this morning. He was an older gentlemen and we had a lovely conversation about his family and his wife. We were able to find a lot of things to talk about. He was a class V patient so the cleaning went by fairly quick. He told me that he has been coming here for years and that I gave him the best cleaning he has ever had. He said that I explained things really well and that he appreciated it. He was so nice! Its great to hear genuine compliments. Its always nice to know that your hard work is paying off. I told him that he was a fabulous patient and that he was a great patient to have at the beginning of the day. Lets hope this afternoon is as beautiful as the morning! :)

Speedy quick!

The title of my blog doesn't reflect my morning appointment. I had a class II pt this morning and she took awhile to complete. I had to battle with her tongue and her cheeks. She had all of her third molars and they were impossible to get back too! It gave me a workout trying to get back there!
This afternoon I had a class V pt and I couldn't believe how fast I got done with her. It only took me 35 min to scale her teeth. I had her out of here in an hour and a half! Now what do I do? ha ha I'm trying to get a hold of Mike so that I can do my caries risk assessment PE....hopefully he answers!

Good and Bad

Do you ever have those days where you wonder "What in the heck am I doing?" This morning was one of those mornings. I had my mockboard patient come back. When he came in for boards things went really well. I didn't miss any spots and I was feeling good about life. Well, today when he came in I did two quads and miss so many spots! How is it that I can do so well on one day and then suck on the next? With the same patient!!! Uh... I was feeling pretty down, but this afternoon went a lot better. I had a 13 boy come in for sealants and between Tori and I we did 13 sealants!! My patient was a trooper and he did so well. He was a cute kid. He was a lot of fun to talk to and he and his mom brightened my day.
So, I guess even when you're having a rough day there are always bright things to look for. I'm glad the day ended well. One more clinic day down!!

Holy Moly!

What a day! I was able to accomplish SO much. My cute nephews came in today and my sister. This afternoon I milked my sister for everything she was worth! ha ha I was able to get BWX, a pano, and I passed off a couple PE's with her. I  am so grateful for her help! It was a good day. I always enjoy when my family comes in!
This year I don't feel as stressed to get my requirements. I seem to be getting xrays just fine and I have more than enough quads done. I guess my only concern is getting quads of class III and IV. I've really only seen II's and IB's. Oh well! One day at a time!
Today was a great day. Busy, but great. I'm going to sleep well tonight...and I get to sleep in! Woot! Woot!

Mockboards

SIGH OF RELIEF!!!! Oh my heavens, today was our first mockboard. I was totally fine last night and this morning. I didn't have the jitters while I was getting ready or eating breakfast. And I was singing along in my car on the was to Ogden. The minute I stepped into the clinic I starte shaking! I don't know why...I felt prepared. Well, as prepared as one can be.
Surprisingly I was fine when my patient came. He is a super nice guy and I felt like the appointment went really smooth. I used my ultrasonic a few times and scaled a few times. I checked, double checked and triple checked some areas. I had to stop at one point. I knew I was starting to second guess myself.
I feel so much better now that its over. I would have gotten 100% if I hadn't missed one tooth that had recession. I marked it as 0 and apparently there was 1 mm. Darn recession!!!
Oh well, I feel so good that its over and it went really well. Especially for my first time. Thank heavens!

What a day!!!

Holy CRAZY!!!!
This morning I held screenings because I am in desperate need of a mockboard patient. I saw four patients this morning and it was wild. I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off! But I have some great news....Drum roll please.... I FOUND A MOCKBOARD PATIENT!!!! He is the nicest guy and it couldn't be more perfect. I also found another mockboard patient for Jodie. Its my patients wife and they are both the sweetest people.
This afternoon I had another class IV patient. She was super nice. Mike actually found her for me. It was great to finally meet her!
I had a super prodctive day today. I'm super tired though. I'm going to sleep well tonight! :)

Another V

Honestly...The only patient I can get in my chair is a class five. I'm almost done with my requirements! I guess that is a way of looking on the bright side of things. Still, I'm in a panic about finding my mockboard patient. I talked to a lot of the other girls at lunch and they said that they're struggling too. It feels good to know that I'm not the only one in this boat.
As I said this morning..... "Everything will work out!!"

Blessings

I have been so blessed to have wonderful patients in my chair. My past two patients have been very willing and helpful. They've also been very understanding. And thankfully they've been class V's. So I'm getting the requirments I need! Sadly I have not found a mockboard patient yet....Is anyone else having trouble with this? I'm starting to worry that I'm not going to be able to find anyone! Oh well....My mantra has been "Everything will work out." I hate that saying, and sometimes it doesn't feel like it will. But it always does!
So Karlie, "Everything will work out!"

Mike saved the day!!

Oh man...Last night I was in panic mode! Both my morning and afternoon patients canceled within 5 minutes of one another. It was a nightmare trying to find someone to come in. I was able to find a cute lady to come in this afternoon. She's a retired Dental Hygienist and she seemed really nice. We'll see how her appointment goes this afternoon. I couldn't find anyone for this morning, so I gave my backup patient a call....MIKE!!! He was the perfect patient and we got him out of here in good time. ha ha He told me that a I did "much" better this time.
I'm grateful he was able to come in for me. He's such a cutie, I think I'll keep him around. :)

Perio Breath....its real.

What a day. First I was super stressed out because I knew my patients only spoke Spanish. Second, I get here and they are thrity min late to their appointments. So I'm freakin out! Third, both my patients today (husband and wife) end up to be class IV. AHHHHH!!!! I was so not ready for that.
But, after the craziness wore off, I was able to get to work. I got three quads done today and I'm going to be scheduling them to come back.
In reference to my title, I about fell to the floor when my first patient opened their mouth. Today was the first day I found myself dry heaving into my mask. Will power! Will power!! I got through it though. Lets just say that no amount of Listerine can cover up that smell.
So in conclusion it was a productive day. Stressful, but prodcutive.

I'm back!!

Yesterday I was at the VA hospital and it was my first time cleaning a patient since last year! I was super nervous. I had the sweetest old man. He was so complimentary and told me his whole life story. I thoroughly enjoyed having him as my patient. It was great to have someone in the chair that helped to calm my nerves. My first VA experience was a good one.
Today was my first clinic session of the year at Weber. My pt this morning was a class V and this afternoon my dad came in. I was able to get some xray requirements as well as eight quads. I think the thing that I learned the most today is that I don't have to scale every tooth. I can use an exploratory stroke to find those spots of calculus and then scale. This diminished my scale time quite a bit. I was able to complete the pt faster and I think using that exploratory stroke is helping me to feel for those spots of calculus build up. It helped my tactile sensitivity.
I've had a really great couple of days. They've helped to boost my self esteem! Now look....something will go wrong! ha ha such is life!:)

LAST DAY OF CLINIC!!!!

I can't believe it! It is my last day of clinic in my Junior year!!! BAH!!! Today I felt like a real hygienist. One of my favorite patients came in today for me to finish her. Last time we didn't get to cleaning, so today I had four quads of a 1B to do. I got her in the chair and we finished the four quads in an hour and 15 min! I was on a roll! I felt like today I was able to utilize my exploratory stroke and I only scaled the teeth that truly needed it.
My patient was so sweet and so complimentary. It was a wonderful experience. I'm glad that I had a positive day on my last day of clinic. See you next year!!!

Hallelujah!!!

My PE's are done!!! I finished my last two this morning. My loving sister and best friend came in to help me finish my requirements today. I took a pano, finished up my BWX and PA's AND I finished my PE's. Thank heavens! Today was a pretty chill day and I needed it.
On Monday I'll finish up my 1B requirment and I will be good to go for this semester. One more day of clinic left! Can you believe it!!!???

What a day!

I give up! After today I realized how unprepared I am. I thought I was doing well, but after today I just want to cry. I had my class III back in my chair and it took me soooo long! AND I kept missing areas. It was almost like I didn't even scale! Ugh...Does anyone else feel this way? Or is it just me?
Well, on the bright side of things I finished all my requirements for class III. Thats something!

Can you believe it!?

Today I had a returning class II patient. I only had her upper arch to do today and I breezed through it! I looked at the clock and it was only quarter after nine! I should have scheduled another patient to fill up my time, but I didn't think that I would get done so quickly! I was also able to do two PE's this morning.
Everything seems to be on track. I only have returning patients for the rest of the semester and all of them are reliable. I have my PE's planned out and I should be able to get all my requirements in in the next three clinic sessions.
Can you believe it? Only three more clinic sessions of this semester! This year is almost over! It doesn't even seem possible.

Class III

Mercy...today was my first experience with an actual class III patient. It was a great learning experience. My patient was super nice and very understanding. He wants his mouth to be healthy. Its great when you have such a compliant patient. He is coming back in next Wed and I should be able to get two quads done. Then I can pass him off to someone that needs one quad. I think Kristie was saying she needs someone.
I also got a sealant in today! Thank heavens....we're moving right a long. I can do this. Only four more clinic sessions left!

Wahoo!!

I had a super productive day. Maybe everyday should be my birthday.... I felt really motivated today and I was able to get a lot done!
To start out I had my mom in the chair. I did 6 sealants on her along with my sealant PE. I had her walked out the door by 8:45am and had Mike in my chair by 9. With Mike, I took a pano, did the blood glucose test PE and finished two quads!Thank heavens he has immaculate home care.
I was on a roll today! I needed a productive day like this to get my spirits up. What a fantastic day of birth! :)

AH!!!!

Ok... Does anyone else feel like they are running out of time. I'm having a minor freak out right now thinking about how I'm going to squeeze everything in. One day at a time Karlie...One day at a time. I guess its good to know that I'm not the only one going through this and that everyone else is feeling the same way. I'm not alone!
I can do this!!! 4 more weeks and then I can take a long break!

Holy Health History!

Well, the majority of my appointment was spent doing my patients health history. It took me a full hour to look up all the medications and write each of them down. When I finally finished the paper work I was able to move onto xrays. Thankfully I was able to get quite a few xrays done today. Bonus!
Today was a positive experience though. My patient was very sweet and complimentry. Every time instructor Hafen came over she told her how wonderful I was doing. I was only able to get through OHI so she has to come back. When she asked if she got to have me again she was very excited. It made me feel good inside to have such a bond with my patient. Only downside? She's only a 1B.....oh well. I only need two more quads...I guess I could use a few more.

Grrr...

I guess they always say bad days will catch up to you. My patient today was such a beast! Talk about a negative Ned. He complained about having to pay. He complained about how long he had to be here. He complained so much that he isn't coming back. He doesn't want to spend the time. Well, atleast I got a a quadrant out of him. And he's a class II! Frustration!
I only got one PE done. I'm starting to worry that my patients aren't going to be hard enough and that I'm not going to have enough time to do my subgingival calculus PE's.
Calm down Karlie....One day at a time. I have to keep telling my self that it will all work out. It will all work out!!!

Another Day in Clinic...

My cousin came in today and I was able to finish her up. Three more quads!!! It was a pretty relaxing day as for as clinic goes. I really like Instructor Vining. I feel like he has some great insight and he really helped me with technique on the anteriors. For some reason those lower anteriors are super difficult for me! What he taught me is going to be really helpful.
I passed off another PE today. I really need to get going on those....My worry is that I'm not going to have very many difficult patients come in with subgingival calculus and I'm going to be crunched for time on Subginigival PE's. Oh the stresses of clinic! Bah!

Busy! Busy! Busy!!

Today was very productive, but super hectic! I finished my paitient from Monday and passed off two PE's along with taking 4 BWX. Talk about being on a roll! Ashley and I saw a family this week and the little kids were doing so well. They have a four year old and a two year old. They had to strap the little two year old down. :) He did very well for having to be in the chair for so long.
Man...I am ready for the weekend. I'm ready to  go home and snuggle up in front of the TV. Anybody with me!?

Two in one day!

I was on a roll today! My first patient was a little girl named Abigail and she was the CUTEST little girl! She was the perfect patient. 4 quads for a 1A! Next up I had her dad in the chair. He is a class V. Since he has already been to our clinic I didn't have a whole lot of paper work to do. I did have to re-probe (but I need the extra practice!) With Abby's dad I was able to get one quadrant done. Luckily he is going to be able to come back on Wed. I needed a patient and that day just happens to fit in his schedule! Thank heavens! I was worried about finding a patient on such short notice.
Today was a good day. For some reason I was really nervous about it. I don't know why....But  now that I've made it through the day I don't know why I was nervous! Now its time to relax... :)

I made it through the day!

I can't believe it. I completed my first class 2 patient. I was able to scale all four quads. I missed a few areas on the lower linguls...His teeth were malpositioned and I had to be a bit creative to get in some of the areas. Instructor Hemsley was very helpful and understanding. This is the first difficult patient that I have had. I'm just  thankful I got through the appointment. My patient was very patient with me and very kind. He said I did a great job and he wants me to give him a call for an appointment in 6 mos.
Today instructor Hemsley had some great advice for me and I learned a lot. I'm exhausted though...I'm ready to go home and crash!

I love these days!

Today was great! Stress free! I was walking with a bounce in my step!
Today was a lab day so we didn't have any patients. We went over three PE's that we need to pass off in clinic. We worked on the blood glucose testing (hooray for finger pokes!), we learned how to use the Diagnodent and we learned how to take care of a partial/denture that a patient may have.
Emily and I had a bit of an experience today. In order to get accurate readings with the Diagnodent we can wipe the tooth off with gauze. Well we also use gauze to wip off the instrument with alcohol. Ya....I accidentally grabbed the alcohol wipe. All of a sudden Emily said "Man! That tastes horrible!" I felt so bad...luckily we were able to laugh about it. ha ha oh my....

Mike's day!

Lucky Mike, he was my patient today! My patient that was supposed to come in today never returned my phone calls. I called her three times and she didn't respond to my calls. So, at eight o'clock last night I was scrambling to get a patient. Mike saved the day! I'm so glad that he was able to come in for me...and on Valentines Day! :)
I only missed a few areas of calculus and I was able to get two quadrants done. I'm getting a bit faster! :) Today was definately a Monday. I'm just glad that the day is over. Hopefully next clinic session goes well!

Wow.....

Holy cow...today I realized how inadaquate I am. I definately realized how much I don't know. My patient today was a Class 2. I'm grateful that I have one in my chair and that he is willing to come back. So there's four quads! He was my first patient that hasn't been a class 1 and I didn't know where to start! Today I only got through OHI. I had high hopes to pass off a PE and to get one quadrant done but that didn't happen!
I need to be grateful that I found a class 2...thank heavens! By the time he comes in next I should be better prepared. I just need to relax and realize that I'm just beginning.
"Don't stress yourself out Karlie!!!!"

Oh man...

Man! Today I was not on my A game....I forgot to put things in my patient chart and I just felt flustered. I need to not get so down on myself. I am getting faster though....today I started a new patient and I was able to finish one of her quads. So I know that there is improvement, but man! I get so frustrated when I think of everything that I have to do and how I should be better at what I'm doing. I have to keep telling myself that its only the first semester of me seeing "real" patients. So I have decided that I will only think about the positive! I'm going to look for the good things in each appointment.
My accomplishment for today was how my use of time is getting better. I'm getting faster and I was able to get one quad done on a new patient! Go me! How is that for  positive? :)

Hold your horses!

Wow...Today was an eventful day. I was a clinic assistant this morning so I was able to pass off my CA PE. Then, today in clinic I saw my friend again and I was able to get all four quadrants done. While I was scaling I passed off my Universal Scaling PE. Two down today!!! Wahoo!
I have found that I struggle with the lower anteriors. Especially on the linguals...this is the area that I really need to work on. I tried a new instrument today and I was really grateful for Instructor Caldwells input. I tried the 204S on the posterior teeth. I haven't really developed a preference yet, but I liked this instrument.
Man...Today was a super long day. I'm glad its over, but i'm glad that I was able to be productive. I feel like I accomplished a lot. Hmm....I might go home and relax now. No studying for me tonight! :)

Kid Day!

Dace and Ryan were my patients today. I was so excited for my nephews to come in and I was so proud of them! They were amazing! Dace was the perfect example for his little brother. We took BWX of Dace. I found out that the conventional film was too big for his mouth. It also didn't have any give so it was poking him in the floor of his mouth. He was a trooper though and we did two scanX bwx. I really need to start doing conventional and schick. I haven't done any films with these two methods. I was hoping to get started today, but I'm glad I was able to get some xrays taken. When I took Dace in to polish his teeth he was fantastic! He was really curious too. He wanted to know all of the tools I was using. Dace was a great patient. His reward for today? McDonalds! haha :)
Ryan did really well for how young he his. Ryan is only two but he let me take a peek in his mouth and give him a ride in the chair. He was so excited about his new tooth brush too. It had Lightening McQueen on it! He was a little leary when Instructor Demmings came over. He wasn't so sure if he wanted a stranger looking in his mouth.
I'm so grateful that my mom and sister were able to come and help me out today. Now I only need one more child to come in this semester. Now that I have a little extra time, maybe I'll practice my scaling PE.... What a good day!

Positivity!!

My patient today was a friend of mine from choir. Today was the first day I didn't work on a family member. My friend asked for a cleaning and I'm so glad! I needed a patient for today and things all fell into place. I was even able to take a FMX. She had never had one before and she is nearing her 30s. She was totally fine with the prices and everything! I'm so so so glad! I am going to have to get her a gift or somethin. I big thank you is in order.
I wasn't able to get to scaling today...I'm ok with that I was able to get a lot of xrays taken care of. She is coming back in next week. Things went well today. I feel like clinic is getting better and better. I just have to keep a posistive attitude and everything will work out!!!

I'm on a roll!...Well, sort of...

Well today was definately a Monday. My loving sister was my patient. I'm so grateful she was able to come in. I had to start and finish scaling her mouth. Thankfully I got all four quadrants done along with my daily PE. I did the intra oral camera PE today. Taryn had a few teeth that need sealants and so I took pictures of those teeth.
On my first quadrant today I took awhile...a long while...When Professor Costley came over to give me a scale check, she told me that she wanted me to do all three remaining quadrants in the time it took me to do the one quadrant...YIKES!!
I'm happy to say that I made it through my appointment today and my patient came out of the chair calculus free. Everything went well. I'm just glad the day is over....now its time for tests! Bleh. Wish me luck!

Calculus finder!

My goal for today was to finish my patient. My patient today was my mother and she was an excellent patient. Last time she was in I was able to get one quad done. So today I only had three remaining. Along with the three quads I was able to pass of another PE and take and Xray of a tooth that is giving her trouble.
I felt like things went really smoothly today. Intsructor Hafen helped me a ton. I missed one little spot of calculus that was extremely interproximal. She helped me to feel it and then to use another type of scaler to find the calculus. I really like the way that she teaches. Its super helpful and shes very complimentary.
I had a great day today and I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of things. I'm trying to find little ways to keep succeeding.
My goal for the remaning appointments is to pass off a PE each time. So far so good! Three down! :)

One day at a time!

Each day seems to get better and better! Today I had my dad back in the chair and I was able to finish scaling his mouth. Today I finished three quads, polished, flossed and applied varnish. When instructor Hafen came over I had only two surfaces that needed to be re-scaled. Instructor Hafen complimented me on my scaling and said that I did a great job. She also told me that the tissues looked really great.
I'm starting to feel more confident in my abilities. My goal with my next patients will be to finish them at their next appointment. My mom and my sister are up next and I was only able to get the OD done with them. I'd like to scale the whole mouth when they come next. I can do it! Today was a great day and I feel like I did a good job. I'm excited to see what happens next time. Each clinic session seems to be getting better and better!!!

Dads day

Today my dad was my patient and I feel like things went a lot better today than last time. I was really flustered last time. I think I was anxious because it was my first time working on a patient this semester. Today I was a little more relaxed. My dad was a great patient and I was able to get a whole quad done and pass off a PE. My goal for this semester is to get atleast one PE done a day. I have to look for what I can pass off on my patient for that day. Next time I can pass of the polishing PE on my dad. I've decided that when I call and schedule a patient, I'm going to look through and see what I can do that day.
I had a good day today. I think things went well and I'm improving. I can only go up from here. Think positive!

First Patient..well, this semester!

Oh boy...What a day! My mom was my patient today and it was definitely an adventure! I tried to study things to be prepared for today but its been so long since we worked in the clinic. I forgot some tiny things that I would suddenly remember as I was working. My goal today was to get through one quadrant...and I did! I'm so glad. This means my mom will only have to come in for one more appointment. She was great and was really patient with me.
Things went well, but I think that I made myself nervous. I just need to calm down and realize that I can do this. I shouldn't worry about how great I am now...its going to be a process and I can only hope that I'll continue to improve. Wish me luck for next week!

Spring Semester

I'm back! I can't believe my Christmas break is over. It went by so quickly! Today I had clinic and I felt like I was starting all over. I couldn't remember a thing! Thankfully things started to come back to me as the morning went on. We learned more about the ultrasonic and how to use our Gracey instruments. I really like these instruments. They're designed to help with perio patients that have pockets and heavy calculus. We didn't work on one another today. Today we used our typodants. Lets just say Fred got very wet....
I'm excited to be back. I think it will be a good semester. Wish me luck!!!