Observation

One of our assignments was to do an observation at a periodontal office. We observed an osseous surgery where they do a gum flap to recontour the bone and deep clean. And I have to say it was the coolest thing ever! I feel like I want to become a periodontist now. It's easier than what we do because they can actually see where they are cleaning since the gums are surgically cut and flipped back. I actually enjoyed this a lot more than I thought. I have pictures but I will only post a small one for those who get queasy easily. :)

Stress

We were learning about conditions that could contribute to bone loss (deeper gum pockets = tooth loss) and a no brainer, stress is one of them.
But it was really more about how one deals or copes with stress, rather than the stress itself.

I find this to be the most important because I know we all have differing amounts and types of stress. But the most important factor is how you handle, deal with, or overcome stress.

I think it's very important to always look at the bright side and not be too negative about things. If you are always negative and say bad stuff about something, that's not good. That will just bring you down. Have a new outlook on life (that is what I'm doing and it's working). Stop being negative, and look at the positive. If something is negative, learn from it or fix it. Don't dwell on it. Be optimistic, not pessimistic.

And take it from me... I know stress but I just handle it differently than my classmates. That's because I don't stress out about things. I don't complain about all that we have to do. I just do it.

:(

My mother-in-law is leaving again. She doesn't want to stay here because of a lot of reasons. I think she would have stayed at least until December, but my father-in-law is not holding up so well by himself.

So I guess we have to go at it again by ourself. It's just much different this time because I'm actually registered full time now. And I am at school for long hours. Most days I am at school for 12-13 hours. Some weekends I am at school too. It's just ridiculous. I don't even want to think what will happen when the Perio Program starts.

I just wanna get done with school so bad. Like really bad. Whatever hardship I face, I am determined to fight my way through.

Spring Break

Yes, I'm done with class right now! I can't believe this semester is already half over. School is so crazy; I don't even know how to explain it. I can't believe I'm just going in the mouth with tools and doing my thing. It's like I can't believe I'm actually doing this and knowing what I'm doing!
This semester, I already completed two patients in two appointments each and still have one patient pending who I should have finished in two appointments (I'll finish in the third appt). It's rare to complete patients in two appointments at my level (usually three, sometimes four), but I just feel very confident, maybe sometimes too confident for my own good.
After break, there will be eight more patient care days before I hit summer and go into summer school. I can't believe it... it's getting pretty intense. I will start seeing two patients a day, one day per week during the summer.

Almost there, about one year left and then I'm done!

instruments

These are the instruments I know how to use thus far.
From left to right:

probe
anterior explorer/Shepard's hook for cavity detection
posterior explorer

anterior area-specific curet
posterior area-specific curet for mesial surfaces
posterior area-specific curet for distal surfaces

posterior sickle scaler
anterior sickle scaler

mirror



Here's a closeup.

Amazing!

I had a chance this past week to watch some of the second year students perform on patients who have advanced periodontal disease. I can't believe that from one year from now, I'll be doing exactly what they are doing. It was amazing to see them use the ultrasonic tool as well as the other manual tools. Well, I was more amazed to see lots of blood gushing out and splattering everywhere (and don't worry, they don't feel a thing because local anesthesia is given). I just wasn't expecting so much blood because I have never experienced that while working on any of my peers. I felt unprotected with just my mask and glasses because these students were wearing face shields over their masks and goggles (my teacher didn't warn us about how much splatter there was going to be).
I wasn't really bothered by the blood at all, but just shocked at how much these people bleed. What I am bothered by is giving anesthesia. I did not get a chance to see any of the students performing an injection. I hate needles and am scared of them. I don't know when I'll be taking this course either, but I will to get it over with.

First child pt

Today was our first child patient day. I can't believe it's over with! It was much easier than I thought. I'll be seeing this patient again at the end of the next month. She was cooperative but shy, nervous, and didn't talk much. I think her nervousness was making me really nervous even though I knew what I was doing. I had everything under control but I felt uneasy when she was ready to get out of the chair when I was not done yet.

I think she was really upset when I put the disclosant on her teeth. Disclosant shows up red in the areas where there's plaque. And then I had to show her a new brushing technique to get rid of the red and yeah, she didn't seem too happy.

I would say my first experience wasn't bad at all though. And I was delighted to hear that she wants to be a dentist when she grows up.

Well well well... I made it through the day and I'm done for today! *phew!

first time as clinician

Today was the first time we looked into each other's mouth! We took patient vitals, did the cancer exam and examined inside the mouth for anything out of the ordinary. And it didn't seem like a lot to do, but it took more than three hours.

I think I have to practice while I'm sleeping.

How school is thus far

School is easy so far, but there's just a lot to do. Easy is one thing, but a lot of reading assignments, weekly homework assignments, and weekly quizzes is another thing (it all adds up). I mean, the material is easy; I understand it fine. A lot of it is straight regurgitation, but it takes time to remember it. And time is what I don't have much of.

I think some of the stuff we are learning is just plain silly or maybe unnecessary. I feel like some of the stuff we are learning is what a dentist does, not a hygienist. Why are we learning all this? I thought that's what my dentist does, not a hygienist. It seems like we are assuming a lot of the responsibilities of a dentist. They tell us we are not to diagnose but essentially it seems like what we are doing is diagnosing or telling them the answer so they can make the final decision.

Most of the time, I'm sitting in class thinking what a joke this is. Are they serious? Like I don't know how to hold a pencil and they have to reteach us. Or how to sit properly in a chair - we had a few lectures on ergonomics. For instance, and this is to all you people out there in the computer field, did they have to teach you how to type? Or how to sit at the computer desk properly? I highly doubt it.

Well, that's all I'll say for now. I don't want to get myself in trouble.

Class photo

I meant to put this up a long time ago but I didn't have time. I was swamped with reading assignments like you wouldn't believe. I'm probably not supposed to put this up, but who cares.

So click here to see my class!

dichotomous feelings

This is an old post from June 8, 2006 that I forgot to post. As a note, I don't have these conflicting feelings anymore.

June 8, 2006
This may sound contradicting when I say I'm really proud of myself that I got into dental hygiene, but at the same time, I am not really so proud. In the former reason, I feel like I finally accomplished something I didn't think I could do; I really thought I would not get accepted. However, in the latter reason, I feel like I should be able to accomplish something so easy and do something else that people merit with more credit or impressiveness.

My dichotomous thoughts or feelings lead me to a positive view that can help others. What I have to say is that other people, including parents, siblings, peers, horrible teachers, and horrible counselors may put you down at times saying stuff like, you're dumb, that is too hard for you, or you'll never make it. For example, a classmate of mine told me that her counselor said she wouldn't make it into nursing so don't bother trying. That's cruel and rude! Well, depending on the personality of the person this is said to, it might affect this person harshly or it may not if the person is resilient (psychobabble interpretation: a person who is resilient will bounce back even in the toughest of times while a person who is not resilient will fall apart unless there is some type of emotional support).

The positive light in which I view dental hygiene still holds notwithstanding.