Monday, October 31, 2011

sealants!

Today we learned how to put sealants on.  It was fun. Since I have assisted for a while it was really nothing new to me.  I did realize that I have been putting them on too thick though.  So that is good to know!  I learn something new everyday!  I was also able to pass off air powder polishing and selective polishing today.  It is getting down to the wire now and so I starting to feel the pressure.  It seemed like today was a little crazy!  Just making sure that everything is done and signed sometimes can get overwhelming to me.  It is all a learning curve I know.  After today I am getting a little nervous about having a real patient and how much stuff we have to get signed and done.  But then again we will have a little bit more time because we will not be switching partners!  Next week we will start seeing each other as patients!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

air/powder polishing!

Today we learned how to air powder polish!  It was quite interesting.  I am hoping that I do not have to use this technique of polishing in my hygiene career!!!  We also did selective polishing which was the polishing I am used to doing!  We also used varnish on each other and I have decided that even though I know that varnish is better for my teeth I still do not like it!!  It feels so gross on my teeth actually I just want to brush my teeth right now!  I was also able to pass of my treatment plan PE which was nice to do.  It is crazy how fast this semester is going!  I am almost all done with my PEs and I feel like I have just started!  I like the feeling of getting closer to the end!!

Monday, October 24, 2011

practicing

Today we were able to practice what we needed to do.  It was pretty relaxed today which was nice! We were able to pass off dental screening and intra oral camera.  I am feeling really good now because I only have to pass off my treatment planning PE.  It is nice to be on top of it! I can't believe that I am almost done with this semester over half way done!  It is so nice to know that!  In two weeks we are able to work on each other as real patients and in three weeks we are going to have our first real patient come in!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

TIme for OHI PE!

Today I was able to pass off my OHI PE and it feels so good to keep passing these PEs off!  There were so many at the beginning of the semester and now they are slimming down!!  Next time I want to pass off my intra oral camera and dental screening!  I am so excited that this semester is flying by!  Soon enough we will be seeing patients and that will be fun and stressful! 

Monday, October 17, 2011

OHI continued

Today we went through a whole appointment and it was very good for me to go through the process because I have not done that yet.  I felt really good about it!  Today I also passed off posterior scaling.  I feel so accomplished today!  Next time I am going to pass off dental screening and OHI.  I am feeling good about dental hygiene so far!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Dental Screening

Today we learned how to chart restorations and suspicious areas.  It was fun to look in my patients mouth and see all of the restorations they had.  I also passed off my anterior scaling PE and I passed which was a great thing but I still dont feel all the way confident with what I am doing!  I know it will come with time! 

Monday, October 10, 2011

DIscloing!

Today we learned oral hygiene instruction and we disclosed to show how much plaque we have in our mouths. I did not have a good plaque free index!  I really need to work on that.  I thought that I was doing a good job but obviously not! I really felt good today about instrumentation. It was like a light bulb turned on or something.  It is now starting to be fun now.  I am sure I will have another off day but at least I can look back on today and feel good about it!  Now i am excited to come wednesday, and i am not so stressed about it!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

posterior scaling!

Today we learned posterior scaling and it was really fun.  I felt much better about posterior than anterior scaling. I did not cause as much tissue damage as I did last time with anterior scaling. The only thing is my mouth is tired from staying open for so long. I really can't wait until I can get to the point where I feel confident about what I am doing.  I know it will come with time but I really want to get to that point. Sometimes I get discouraged but I know I can not feel that way because I will get it.  I have to also remember that I have only practiced twice!
Soon enough I will get it!

Monday, October 3, 2011

anterior scaling!

OK so today was a big learning day for me.  We learned anterior scaling and it was a little bit hard for me to grasp.  I was completely doing it wrong at first and then when Professor Costley came over to help me she told me what was wrong.  It helped me so much and I am sure Michelle was really appreciative of it as well!  It is definitely a learning curve for me.  I can't wait until I get to the day when I can actually feel comfortable with what I am doing.  Maybe at the end of the year I will feel so much better but if only I could get to that point!