updates

• School starts on Jan 22; I'm not looking forward to it.
• I'm searching for a new phone. My current one always cuts out after 15 min.
• My New Year's Resolutions:
• Exercise on Thursdays
• Gain weight (preferably 112 lbs.) - I will do this by eating lots of Turkey sandwiches and yogurt in between meals. Any healthy but easy suggestions are welcome!
• Wean my baby by summertime.
• Keep TV to a minimum, only two shows per week (Lost and Moonlight). I will stop watching Lost if it becomes a totally different show.
  

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.

other updates

The past week I had a bad allergic reaction on the border of my tongue. I couldn't talk or eat much. I don't know what caused it but my instructor said it looked like an allergic reaction caused by switching too many products at one time (I had switched toothpastes, mouthwash, floss, and toothbrushes all at one time.) She said that I was probably getting a little overzealous from what I was learning in class, so eliminate mouthwash for now, and just use a fluoride toothpaste without whitening and without tartar control.

And guess what? It worked!

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.

first patient!

Yes, we see our first patient on October 30th! I'm excited but I don't see how we are going to do everything since the teachers are behind. We won't be cleaning on the first time though, we have to assess their health and teach them how to "brush" properly. I can't believe there are so many methods out there and some of the stuff I would have thought was OK is not!

Yes busy busy busy. Gotta go now.

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!

School starts soon

Wow, I can't believe school starts on the 27th of August. Where did my summer go? It went by way too fast. Time really does fly by when you get older.

Going back to school feels like high school all over again. I can't believe they are already giving us a short quiz on the first day of class (reminds me of AP Chem back in the day). And it annoys me that they have a shopping list of what we need (#2 pencils, binders, colored pencils, graph paper). What is this?? I don't need someone to tell me what I need to use. I can figure it out myself, thank you very much. Oh well... My goal is clear and simple: Get in, do whatever is needed effectively, and get out ASAP so I can start work. Let's hope it will work out that way.

homemade fries

Tastes good, but too salty.
Tomorrow night, I will attempt fried chicken. We'll see how it goes.