Patient Managment

Today I had a really hard patient and boy or oh did it test my patience. My patient had a very low pain tolerance and was really anxious just making the whole appointment nerve racking for me.  It was a very patience testing experience.  I ended up finishing her though because I did not want to have to bring her back for her sake and mine.  I know that I missed lots of spots on her anteriors but there was only so much I could do to make her comfortable and get my job done. Then in the afternoon I saw a deaf patient and that was really hard as well because she was really hard to communicate with.  I felt bad that she did not understand me but again there was only so much I could do. I felt like today was a good learning experience throughout the whole day.  I have come to realize that dental hygiene is not only about cleaning teeth but it is also about people skills, patient management, teaching, sometimes counseling and so many more things.  I didnt know that my career path would have so many traits associated with it but I like it! It gives me a variety of things to do throughout the day and not just cleaning teeth!