9/25/12

I have been working on getting better open contacts on my premolars during x-rays. Today my pt's mouth was crowded but they turned out pretty good. I like the scan-x, and enjoy being able use the same method each time so that I feel that I am able to master it, instead of jumping from conventional or schick just to meet requirements even when it wasn't the best option for my pt. It is much better this year the way it is set up. I had a class II pt today, but was disappointed he wasn't quite mock board quality.  Sierra and I are coming in on Thursday to screen pt's. I closed my eyes and pulled out three names, hoping that at least one will qualify. Maybe between the two of us we can at least find one pt to share..... I was disappointed today to miss so many areas of calculus. I felt that way because I thought I had been very thorough..ugh. I hate that! Mental note I made, especially after the lab today. Pull out the files.

9/18/12

Today was a good learning day. My first pt had a cold sore, she had to leave early. My afternoon pt signed her HHX, said there was no changes, and then mentioned right before I began that she had knee replacement 9mths ago. She had forgot to mention that. It was a good lesson about pt behavior. It is easy for them to be non-shulant (sp) about their HHX. I realized that I need to keep that in mind when questioning their health conditions, and to be very thorough. We ended up getting her pre-med and did scale one quad. I liked getting the experience with the physicians consult, and it is not so scary now. I really value the variety of experiences we get in clinic. I have learned lots from a textbook, but I learn even more hands on.

9/11/12

The patient today had a lot of recession with root exposure in the anteriors. I scaled for awhile, though I was doing good until Prof. Alexander said to get out my mini Graceys. They started pulling up calculus that I didn't even know was there. They are my new fav. especially in the anteriors where you have to adapt so much, which was even more extreme around the root line angles.

9/4/12

This was our first day back in clinic. I had two pt's, both of whom I predicted were 1B's .  I planned it this way to re-establishment patient care flow, and confidence in instrumentation and x-rays. I finished both pt.'s and it went well. I do have areas that need improvement. The first is not missing calculus on the posterior molars. It is difficult to reach these areas and I plan to use my Montana Jack next time to see if that will help. I took care to practice instrument adaptation, particularly to not miss calculus and for pt comfort. I did miss two spots, which bothers me because they were easier pt's. My plan is to establish a pattern or instrumentation so that it is efficient, but also thorough.