Selective Polishing

Today we did selective polishing. It was fun and easy. It was my first time so it wasn't bad. I think that's why we've left this skill to the very end. We also brushed and flossed over people and that was hard. It's akward doing it in someone else's mouth. Monday we do the camera. That will be fun to take pictures again. I really like it.

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Posterior Scaling

Today was a lot of fun. We did posterior scaling. At first it was hard to orient myself as to what to do, since we've only done this skill on dexter. It didn't take long to remember what we learned. I actually felt comfortable today, surprisingly. I think that's a good thing. I'm excited to pass off the anterior scaling on Wednesday. That will be fun. It's crazy to think that soon we will be working on real patients. It will be a shock at first, because no one here has calculus. It doesn't make practicing all that fun.

Fun Fun Fun

Today I did the PE for Instrument identification and adaptation, angulation, and activation. I thought it would be hard at first but it turned out pretty good. We had extra time so we also practiced with the intradoral camera. It was a lot of fun. We didn't have enough time to work on each other on the posterior teeth, so that was kind of disappointing. It was fun though to have a good and enjoyable day. The time is getting closer that we will start seeing actual patients, so I'm getting really nervous. I need to learn how to not get stressed out during the appointment. I fell like that is going to be the hardest thing to learn.

Patient Appointment

I feel like I'm understanding my strengths and weadnesses as far as patient appointment goes. I like that we've gone over the whole process up to what we've learned so far. It's helped me to put it all together. Next time I need to study my PE. I haven't even looked over it. But I want to keep up the passing scores on the PE.

Probing

Today I passed off the probing PE. I did well but for some reason I got all flustered did not do as well as I wanted to. I just got really nervous, which made my grasp stronger. That wasn't good. Chelsea was nice and helped me out a ton. I just need to chill. Next week we do the dental screening PE so that will be nice and easy - a different break from being in the mouth all the time. I just need to work on memorizing a couple of things first then I will be fine. YEAH!!!

Hip Hip Hooray

Today was a lot of fun. I felt a lot of pressure simulating a real patient appointment, but it turned out good. I worked on Nicole. She was a lot of fun and helpful. I learned today that I need to get a sequence down for the OD. I'm kind of everywhere right now. That will help me save a lot of time in the future. Wednesday we do probing and I'm excited for that. I like it a lot. Exploring is fun too but I was just more worried about it today.

More comfortable

Today was a good experience. I learned that I need to floss the mesial surfaces of my canines a lot better. They were marked pink by the dye - gross! I also practiced exploring today. I'm feelig more and more comfortable with that, thank goodness. I just need to be more confident and agressive. No more being passive in my instrumentation. I'm really enjoying clinic a lot better.

Intra

Today I passed off my intra oral PE with flying colors. I need to go home today and study the next two we have to pass off. We've never had to pass off 2 in one day. I hope we have time for all of us to do it. Clinic was kind of boring today. I didn't feel like I learned anything new. It seemed like the whole time was spent passing off PE's. Oh well, it's good to have an easy day every once in a while.

Fun Fun Fun

Today was really fun. Gol, the second time probing was a sinch compared to the first time. Experience does help a lot. I wish I had some experience before school, but it's too late to change that now. However, I feel like I'm not too far behind everyone else in learning and skills. Other people might think differently though. The extra oral exam went well today. I plan to do as well on the intra oral exam. I need to study quite a bit for it though. I really enjoy clinic days. They are the best.

Probe Depth

Today we probed each other. It still feels weird to stick an instrument below the gingival margin but it is getting more and more comfortable. I still need a lot of practice with indirect vision but I can tell it's getting better. Today I passed off a PE and did well. Wednesday I have the extra oral PE, but I think I pretty much have that one memorized already just by doing it so many times in clinic. The overall clinic experience is going well. I feel like I'm catching on. Thursday I observe Skye in clinic so I think that will help me put the entire process of patient appointment together.