OK, let's check out another font.
So, back at the VA, and my first pt. was a nice older man. I did 2 Qds. of a III with 2 exams. Kami was the instructor, and I very much enjoyed and appreciated her input and support.
Something very exciting was that I was able to have 3 local anesthesia experiences, all in one day, whereas last semester I had only 3 the entire semester. With LA exams coming up, that was great!
My PM pt. was a IB, nice young man. Was able to do a Desensitization PE, a pano, and 4 BWs. Being at the VA is a definite plus to the program; it's an excellent experience.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Thurs., Feb. 21
My first pt. in AM was a Class III; she also was my mockboard pt. I did 3 PEs: Perio File, Root Debridement, and Desensitization. She was completed at this appt.; she'd been a nurse for >30 yrs., was an ideal pt. and a great lady.
I had hopes for a Class II in the PM, but my pt. turned out to be a IB. Oh well. It was a very good experience, and I am getting faster. Plus, this pt. was very interesting because she had what looked like (since we can't dx) benign migratory glossitis, and she also had what looked like retro- cuspid papillae on her mandible, neither of which I had actually seen previously.
I had hopes for a Class II in the PM, but my pt. turned out to be a IB. Oh well. It was a very good experience, and I am getting faster. Plus, this pt. was very interesting because she had what looked like (since we can't dx) benign migratory glossitis, and she also had what looked like retro- cuspid papillae on her mandible, neither of which I had actually seen previously.
Monday, February 18, 2008
UDA, Feb. 14 & 15
No clinic this week since we all went to the UDA convention in Salt Lake. I decided to go early on Thurs. and take in a class in the morning. When I arrived I saw Kimber, so the two of us looked over the list of offerings and decided to attend Dr. Glick's presentation: Medically Complex Dental Patients; Identification, Assessment and Treatment Protocols. This turned out to be a very good lecture, and I was glad we didn't attend Anne Guignon's "presentation," especially after talking to some of my classmates about her talk. I had attended one of her classes last year in El Paso, and instead of ergonomics she spent most of the time selling loupes for the company she reps for, Orascoptic. Apparently she did a similar thing here. I think I should contact someone and let them know about her modus operandi.
Of course, I checked out the vendors and picked up pt. info, fluoride varnish, and loupe material, among other things.
On Fri., Brittney and I did our Table Clinic on the Cariogenicity of Foods (particularly snack-type foods). We smiled and talked to students, hygienists, dentists, and instructors
from 11AM to 2PM. It was a good experience; I only wish I'd had time to take in some of the other table clinics. The winning table clinic was entitled "Caries - it's Your Choice."
Sounded similar to ours!
I'll look forward to wearing the hygienist tag at the next UDA and taking in more CE classes.
Of course, I checked out the vendors and picked up pt. info, fluoride varnish, and loupe material, among other things.
On Fri., Brittney and I did our Table Clinic on the Cariogenicity of Foods (particularly snack-type foods). We smiled and talked to students, hygienists, dentists, and instructors
from 11AM to 2PM. It was a good experience; I only wish I'd had time to take in some of the other table clinics. The winning table clinic was entitled "Caries - it's Your Choice."
Sounded similar to ours!
I'll look forward to wearing the hygienist tag at the next UDA and taking in more CE classes.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The Dreaded 2nd Mockboard!
The stress was thick in the air this day as people were awaiting their trial by mockboard. I was scheduled for the PM, so I could be a bit more detached in the AM. At least 2 pts. didn't show, so we had lots of help, but I felt badly for those whose pts. didn't come. I tried to encourage where I could, reminding them that only 10 points were at stake, and more experiences were to come.
My pt showed up on time (as usual). As I began the cleaning I felt a little nervous, which is unusual for me. I began with the ultrasonic, which I'd planned, but as I worked I began to stress over whether I'd be able to get that interproximal calculus. Last semester I'd missed a slew of these areas, and with an older pt. (like this lady) it could be more difficult feeling for calc. because of the surface irregularities, restorations, etc. Anyway, I went over the whole UR quad. with my ultrasonic, hand instruments, and ultrasonic again. Interestingly, during the second ultrasonic pass I spent more time interproximally, using different patterns, and was surprised but pleased to see a few large pieces of calc. come floating out. Then, I used my explorer and checked and rechecked. My pt bled a lot, so after using floss I put cold 2 x 2s on her tissue. Next time I may have some saline solution on hand.
Then I did her extra-, intraoral exam, probing, and paperwork, took her to the front and did that waiting thing. I felt hopeful about passing when I was told I'd missed only one spot: M/L #4. So, I went to work, got it, and did some OHI with my pt. before she left. Later, I was thrilled to find I'd passed with an 85! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeha!
It's great to know I'm improving! Yes!
My pt showed up on time (as usual). As I began the cleaning I felt a little nervous, which is unusual for me. I began with the ultrasonic, which I'd planned, but as I worked I began to stress over whether I'd be able to get that interproximal calculus. Last semester I'd missed a slew of these areas, and with an older pt. (like this lady) it could be more difficult feeling for calc. because of the surface irregularities, restorations, etc. Anyway, I went over the whole UR quad. with my ultrasonic, hand instruments, and ultrasonic again. Interestingly, during the second ultrasonic pass I spent more time interproximally, using different patterns, and was surprised but pleased to see a few large pieces of calc. come floating out. Then, I used my explorer and checked and rechecked. My pt bled a lot, so after using floss I put cold 2 x 2s on her tissue. Next time I may have some saline solution on hand.
Then I did her extra-, intraoral exam, probing, and paperwork, took her to the front and did that waiting thing. I felt hopeful about passing when I was told I'd missed only one spot: M/L #4. So, I went to work, got it, and did some OHI with my pt. before she left. Later, I was thrilled to find I'd passed with an 85! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeha!
It's great to know I'm improving! Yes!
Thurs., Jan. 31 Clinic
My AM pt was my only potential mockboard person. I took BWs and 7 PAs of her max. dentition, and lo and behold, calculus was visible on the X-rays! She was classified as a III, and so I asked if she'd be willing to be my mockboard pt, and she was! Whew! Lots of folks were having a heck of a time finding someone.
Interestingly, her son was my PM pt, and he turned out to be a IB with a fair amount of supra calculus in his lingual anteriors. He is a former smoker, and his teeth appeared to have a generalized extinsic stain, so I was thinking it might be an idea to have him come in during my multi-pt clinic project for air powder polishing. He seemed to be up for the idea. We'll see.
Interestingly, her son was my PM pt, and he turned out to be a IB with a fair amount of supra calculus in his lingual anteriors. He is a former smoker, and his teeth appeared to have a generalized extinsic stain, so I was thinking it might be an idea to have him come in during my multi-pt clinic project for air powder polishing. He seemed to be up for the idea. We'll see.
Thurs., Jan. 24 Clinic
My AM pt. was a IB and needed a sealant. So, this was the perfect opportunity to do 2 PEs: Diagnodent and Sealant! I was very thankful for this, because I wasn't successful doing these PEs on my first pt. of this semester. So much of what is done clinically improves just by doing it. Later, I asked Dr. Anderton some questions I had about diagnodent and sealants. He told me that he didn't get too excited about higher numbers on the diagnodent unless they were over 50, which was interesting to hear since this contradicts what the instruction sheet said. Then, I asked about whether caries is entombed by a sealant, and he said that if the caries is only in the enamel, a sealant will prevent it from spreading. However, he said that if the decay is in the dentin, it will not. I think the DDSs are an excellent resource to expand on our knowledge.
My PM pt. had cancelled the night before, and I had exhausted all my "patient possibilities," so I wasn't sure what would happen, but as they often do, a patient appeared. I had a IA and was able to add to my sealant experience once again. Yes!
My PM pt. had cancelled the night before, and I had exhausted all my "patient possibilities," so I wasn't sure what would happen, but as they often do, a patient appeared. I had a IA and was able to add to my sealant experience once again. Yes!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Thurs., Jan. 17
Clinic #2 already?
AM patient was new; hard to determine her class since she didn't have X-rays (they were done 2 weeks ago by her DDS). She said she would bring them in next appt. My instructor thinks she's a II at least due to calculus and pockets, though after seeing X-rays we can look at her bone loss. Her buccal mand. ants. had some deep pockets on the straight facial with Class I mobility and angry red tissue. I think it could be beneficial to try some Atridox in this area or some subgingival irriga. with chlorhexadine.
PM patient was from Fall, had to do 3 quads to complete her. She is a class II, had lots of fun calculus, so I was able to do my second PE on ultrasonic. Fun? Yes, when it succumbs within about 5 seconds to the ultrasonic and pops out, it's fun.
Hum, need to find my mockboard pt. . .
AM patient was new; hard to determine her class since she didn't have X-rays (they were done 2 weeks ago by her DDS). She said she would bring them in next appt. My instructor thinks she's a II at least due to calculus and pockets, though after seeing X-rays we can look at her bone loss. Her buccal mand. ants. had some deep pockets on the straight facial with Class I mobility and angry red tissue. I think it could be beneficial to try some Atridox in this area or some subgingival irriga. with chlorhexadine.
PM patient was from Fall, had to do 3 quads to complete her. She is a class II, had lots of fun calculus, so I was able to do my second PE on ultrasonic. Fun? Yes, when it succumbs within about 5 seconds to the ultrasonic and pops out, it's fun.
Hum, need to find my mockboard pt. . .
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