Tally up

I've tallied up the ranks and it appears I will be in a better situation for next semester than I thought I would be! Thanks to some surprises :) I'll be ready for take off...

Ready or not WREB here I come!!

CA at the VA :)

Being a CA is a relief ... Until... they ask you to see a patient! Don't get me wrong, I like seeing patients, but sometimes when you come thinking all you'll be doing is charting and running little errands, it throws you off.

Then when your patient is a retired dentist who doesn't want to play hygiene games, it throws you off even more.

Thank goodness for amazing miss Connie Sliwinski! She was fabulous and I learned a bunch from her!! I'm excited to work with her next semester as my VA faculty! I enjoy working with people I haven't before because I gain yet another perspective of what dental hygiene means to a hygienist.

Discouraging & Happy All At Once...

My patient today was really challenging in many ways...

*My pt. had pockets that were so deep that even the Dr. agreed we would need to lay a flap just to clean them.

*The pt. had about had enough

*Didn't tolerate the ultrasonic well

*Was a bit emotional over the circumstances

Basically I felt like a failure, but Professor Hanson is MARVELOUS and knows just what to say so that you realize it was a difficult patient and situation, but so that you can maintain some pride. Just when I thought I might cry about it I realized that I WAS FINISHED with my class III's and clinic for the semester!! Can't cry about that!

Clinic this semester has been really good. I feel like I've definitely come a VERY long way since last year and I'm happy about it! Thanks to some awesome faculty and students I've hung in there with a minimal amount of stress this semester. . . I just went on the notion that everyone kept telling me ("it will work out") and kept on keeping on. And guess what?! IT WORKED!!

My Favorite Patients

Are at the VA

So many stories.

So many backgrounds.

Interesting mouths.

Interesting medical histories.

Lots of joke-sters.

Super nice.

I really have loved my patient interaction with those at the VA. I have so many favorites there! It's truly great to try to relate with every patient I come in contact with! People are really interesting, and I love to listen. That's what I've learned. I could listen to people--their lives, their stories, everything.. all day!

Requirements are coming along. I still need to finish my III's, but I found another patient who is darling and reliable. I think I'll finish! Awesome :)

Bummer..

So, my class III experience came back to finish one quad, and had to be turned away due to medical concerns.  Sad for both parties, but will be rescheduled for later to finish.... I just need to find one more III. Just one. Is that so much to ask?! haha... well, actually, it might be, but I'd really feel much better if it worked out quickly.

On a side note.  This morning I had a new patient 1B come in and I finished her in about an hour and 15 minutes and saw an already diagnosed class II at 10:00 to scale, polish, & Fluoride.  Finished everything.

I was proud. 

Only a few more clinic sessions....

Good & Bad.

GLORIOUS!

I finally got some Class III quads done! Wahoo. Relief. From zero to three! Woot. So I only finished 3 quads, but that's still good. I only had one error in three quads. And my time was under the time for a III! Anyway, I hope to find another one as awesome, but I may have high hopes!

LOST & FOUND

I FOUND ONE!
Today I found a class III patient. Cool, huh? I'll do what I can next time on him. For now, I'll keep screening...

Screen, screen, screen.

It's really all I do. Maybe I should take x-rays. Or do PE's?

Nah, I'll stick to screeeening :)

MOCKBOARDS

We had our "mockboard" exam on Thursday. I learned lessons...

1. Some patients calculus feels like rock cemented to tooth
2. When calculus is like rock, you just run out of time
3. Anesthetic is really fun to give
4. Sometimes your professor tells you your patient had TOO MUCH calculus

5.  You shouldn't use those patients

I had four calculus errors and no other errors, but honestly, I felt like I would have more errors because there was NO WAY I was getting all of that off in the time, plus anesthesia time.

I went in thinking it would be alright, but as I started removing deposit (or trying to) I realized I would be short on time.  EEK.  Anyway, I think next time, I'll find a patient with build up, but who has had a cleaning before in their lifetime. 

Good experience. I lived.

Needing III's, but who isn't?

I'm done seeing II/V's... And now I've got to find myself some III's.

Oh where, oh where can those class III's be?

Oh where, oh were can they be?

I haven't seen anything above a class II yet this semester.  Kind of strange, but I'm just holding on to hope that I'll find at least two patients for my exams.  If anyone knows where to start looking, I'm open to suggestion ;)  But I'm guessing we all are at this point... So I'll let you know if I find a good place!

The cutest man...

I fell in love with the cutest, nicest 70 year old man Thursday.  What a good person.

I used him as my class V exam!  No errors--hooray! (Though he didn't have too too much to get off, so, it's not that awesome)...

I also finished a class II in the morning, and it felt great... I had a pattern of missing up right below the contact in one quadrant--I think I'll keep the Montana Jack handy now! I guess the good news is that was my only major issue... Otherwise, it was smooth sailin'...

Goal for next time... improve time!!! I feel like a turtle sometimes. Sad.

UDHA

We had the Utah Dental Hygienist's Association meeting on Friday the 18th...

I enjoyed my classes a lot, actually!

Lunch with mom!

Sold jewelry!

Ate xylitol gum & mints :)

and racked up a few networking points...

sweet.

The most interesting thing for me was the student forum. I was surprised that some students from other schools were not in favor of additional workforce models that advance Dental Hygiene such as the ADHP... I don't understand why we would limit the profession, even if personally, I didn't want to go on, I would not want to hold back many who would enjoy the challenge and added benefits....

Bewildering, really...

GOOD DAY

Remember all of those 1B's?

Today=1A, and two II's :)

A little one in the morning--friendly little bugger.  Had to get him done ASAP because another patient was coming in at 9:00

9:00 patient turned out to be my MOCKBOARD--woot!  Cute lady, lots of calculus

--sent her home without knowing I needed PA's of her quad!! WOOPS

12:30 patient was another class II.  Easier than the first, and nice as nice can be.  He helped me learn some new spanish... loved it!

Thank goodness for some variety in my classifications!

More 1B's??

Two more 1B's yesterday. How do I get so lucky? haha... (for those who don't know... that is sarcastic right now because everyone wants harder classifications)  

Oh well. 

I'm trying to be chill about it.

I know I'll get there.

My relationship with DH is love/dislike.

I love the work & patient interaction.

I dislike the stress of patient classification.

No one needs that.

It makes me a worse person thinking about it.

Someday I'll get there.

I think.

Does anyone have gum disease?

Please call me.

435-671-3319.

On a happy note. I got all fours on my patient encounter form for my patient yesterday! I haven't been able to do that because my scaling time has not been fast enough, but I did it in the correct amount of time, and I was so proud of myself :)

Life is good. 

Forgive my ranting above.

OXY MORON?

Hygiene school goes against the very core of what it means to be a hygienist...

Where else to 30 health care professionals HOPE for patients with disease?

I had two fairly healthy 1B's today from the resource emails.  I did a decent job with them.  I feel accomplished because I'm able to get things done, but I really want the hard experience so that I am confident in my treatment of periodontally involved patients.

Hmmm.  maybe I need to look harder for perio... someone once told me you could smell it from a world away.  i don't smell anything.

GUESS WHO's BACK?!....BACK AGAIN?!

Back from a lovely summer vacay.
Life has changed...
I no longer live five minutes from campus.
I'm no longer single.
I'm also going back for a fall semester for the last time--(in this degree at least :))

But some things are still the same...
I still don't do my hair or makeup before class.
I still eat breakfast in the car.
I still love Landon,
and I still fell slightly stressed.

I have mixed feelings about starting patient treatment. I think I'm ready, but finding requirements is never a joy. I'm just trusting that all of these details will work out, and I'll come out of this alive and cleanin'!

Hope everyone has had a delightful first week--it's been great seeing you all again :)

Almost there... Can't believe it!

Wow... Only one more day of clinic left.

MIXED EMOTIONS.

Ready to be done.
I will miss it, too.

Today I saw my class III patient. Nice man. Funny man. His calculus was rock solid. He told me he was "tough as nails" and now I think I believe him. Luckily, Insctructor Vining is a champion and helped me quite a bit!! Thank goodness we're not on our own yet.

For my last day my brother danny will be coming! He's saving me. I still need a pano, and someone to air powder polish. My roommate volunteered. Do I dare let her volunteer for the air powder polisher??

:)

probably.

Thankful For Soon To Be Family!!

Last week I saw two darling little girls in my chair! Actually, in about a month they will be my new nieces!! They were so good, and really excited about all the cool tools I had to show them! I was worried that the younger one would be a little nervous and not cooperate, but she was fabulous, and they both did just great!!

Heidi, if you ever read this, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! I SOOO appreciate you coming all the way to Ogden to help my fill my requirements! Sorry I was so focused on getting the girls finished that we didn't get to chat much, but know that I just love you, and I think you're so great, and I'm super grateful that you did that wonderful service for me!! THANK YOU!!

Herpes--my worst nightmare...

Oh no. Today my class III pt. came in to finish. Something on his lip frightened me. To most, a "cold sore" is no big deal. To a dental hygiene student in the end of filling requirements at the end of a semester, this little guy is devastating! My instructor had to turn him away................. I didn't cry. But I wanted to. He said he wasn't coming back. I talked him into it.

Thank Goodness.

Light At The End Of This CRAZY Tunnel!!

Today I saw the light. Definitely not the light outside--there's not much of that, but the light at the end of the semester! My goal for clinic today was to accomplish my average 1B patient, from start to finish, in one appointment... I'm proud to say I did it! Hooray! I even took x-rays (though I was a little late because of them, but I'm sure I could have gone faster somehwere!) The best part? I was able to do good OHI with him, and not feel rushed--we actually had some good conversation, and I wasn't even trying to stick my instruments in his mouth to quiet him ;) haha jk!! But it was a good day! Now I'm just going to be working on finishing up requirements... I think I'm down to having everything I need except for two quads of a class II. Of course not all of those are finished, but at least scheduled... I think I'll be doing some screening soon to find that glorious class II patient!

Post Spring Break Syndrome...

I'm experiencing minor Post Spring Break Syndrome...

My symptoms include--
*aversion toward studying
*keen sense of beautiful weather out my clinic window
*tendency to procrastinate assignments
*frequent use of the term, "oh well"

Hopefully my holistic approach to this disorder (increased yoga, purchasing a spring dress, & working on wedding plans) will heal me of this infirmity... or at least relieve my mind for a bit!

Anyone else have the same problem??

Woot!

I'm finishing up clinic right now and I just cleaned two quads of a class II patient in about 45 minutes with no errors!! By far my best accomplishment yet.. (Granted, they were maxillary and of course her appointment was much longer because of the pre-cleaning steps as well as the fact that I re-cleaned her lowers, not to mention flossing, polishing, fluoride, and waiting a long time for the x-ray printer to work :) But still, it was a great feat!

I still need...
4 quads of a class II
2 quads of class III
8 quads of IA
and I have IB's out the wazoo that need to be finished...


Plus some BWX, panos, sealant pt.'s, and lots of PE's... If anything, I'm way behind on PE's. But I know things will work out with a little planning... And some searching for that special class III patient :)

By the way.. I'm such a spaz--there is something very wrong with this picture! See if you can figure it out! haha

Coming Along...

It's been a long while since I posted, but my requirements are slowly coming along. I've learned to take clinic as it comes & not fret... Things always seem to work out. Yesterday I saw two patients. A fellow classmate came in in the morning to let me do sealants, and I finished a pt. up in the last hour. It was great to see two people in one appointment, but it does definitely take some planning, and coordinating to make sure you don't have overlap. Luckily I stayed on schedule, and was able to accomplish exactly what I was trying to do :) It felt so good! I'm actually really beginning to love clinic because I'm more relaxed. I'm getting the hang of everything, and starting to feel at least somewhat credible, which is great! Still looking for 2 kids, and those with gums that are not in the best shape, also anyone who is getting wisdom teeth extracted in the near future... If you can help, let me know :)

Supa funny video!

This is a must watch if you need a little entertainment! This little boy cracks me up... He had some extractions done, and these are the effects of his anesthesia :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs

My darling, sweet, life-saver of a cousin!!

Monday morning my cute cousin Brynnan and I left Logan at 6:15 am to drive through sardine canyon in a snowstorm to get to clinic on time! The crazy thing was, she found out she was going around 5:30 am... Her little sister Kristen was supposed to be the victim of my torture, but when she unexpectedly threw up all night, Brynnan came to the rescue! She truly saved the day!

She was an awesome patient... 13 years old on the verge of 1A and 1B, but since she still had 1 baby tooth and was waiting for her 12 year old molars I counted her as a 1A patient. (I'm a little pressed for 1A's :)) We got her finished about 30 minutes early and I should have planned ahead to do some sealants, but regardless, finishing felt great!! I had 0 errors (mostly because she hardly had anything to clean!) and I'm still working to improve my time. Things are slowly coming along... I can't believe we're almost half way through the semester!

p.s. i got a cute picture with my cousin, but i have no way to upload it :( i'll get it on soon!

ALMOST

My goal on Wed. was to finish my patient in one appointment... I almost did it!  I still had one quadrant to go when the time was up...  The nice thing is that he will be one of my sealant patients, so bringing him back will not be hard as far as using only a little time.  Monday I found a class II patient, but mostly because of difficulty due to apprehension and anxiety with certain tools.  Probe depths were typical of a II, but no radiographic bone loss was evident.  The thing I've learned so far this semester is to chill because some days will be better than others, and the days i don't take x-rays will be better than most :)  haha

FMX finished... yay

Okay, so I got through my second FMX, with only one retake, which initially was approved by one instructor, and then redecided as a retake a little later.. That felt good! But it took me quite some time to finish everything--mostly because developing almost 40 films can take some time!! My mom was the best patient though because she claims nothing hurts her, and she's very understanding of my situation! How I love mothers... especially mine!!

Wednesday I'm hoping my pt is a class II... That would be marvelous! Otherwise, I'm still looking for some II's. I've yet to find one. My goal for Wed. is to get through OD, see what the x-ray need is, and do OHI. If i get to scaling, that will be great, if not, I'll survive :) I'm bringing in a pt. I don't know as well, so it should be good to try some different interactions!

Back to crazy..

Okay so clinic Wednesday was a little crazy again... I wish things would settle down for good, but I have a feeling there will be times when I'm not feelin so hot in the clinic. X-rays were a total disaster for me, but I learned a lot from the experience...

I started a new patient and finished one quad of scaling... Without the little x-ray incidence I'm sure I could have finished more of his mouth. Anyway, so far I've had all 1B patients.. no luck finding any class II, or III patients.. At least it is still January right?! haha...

My Life is a Comic Act...

Giggling is all I can do when I think about this little episode!!

After a grueling hour and 15 minutes of scaling my daddy's teeth I finally get a scale check... Not too bad, only a few spots, so I finish him just as time is running out. As I'm toothbrush polishing (because he made the good choice and decided not to remove any enamel :)) my kind instructor came over to me to see if there was anything she could do to help me finish in time...

"Alyse is there anything I can do to help you finish?"
"Oh YES! Actually, if you could just get some Varnish Fluoride out of my drawer that would be awesome!"
"Okay here you are... this one even has an applicator in the package!"
"Thanks!"
"Oh and you might need to stir that to get it to the consistency you'd like it to be."

Here's me: hurry, stir stir stir, 'hmm that's funny i've never seen red varnish' I think to myself... 'oh and it's cherry flavored.. cool!'

I explained some important things to my dad, and I started slapping it on his teeth. Among the explanation I say a few things as I'm painting on the varnish good and liberally over all gumline surfaces of every tooth... I made sure to get everything! He may have heard,
"Weird, I've never used a Q-tip to apply varnish before..."
"I hope this dries clear and not red..."

I finish, start sitting my dad up in my nifty elevator chair when he looks at me with a concerned face and asks,
"Honey, is this supposed to make my lips numb?"
"uhhh NO!"
I grabbed the package as quickly as possible only to have the label read

"TOPICAL ANESTHETIC"

Long, funny story short, daddy got a good rinse, some actual fluoride on his teeth, along with a good laugh at his crazy daughter who needs to double check all labels from now on... :)

Calming down...

While last week I thought I was long overdue for a myocardial infarction, this week I'm feeling much better! :) The stress level was too high last week as I thought about my requirements and everything I needed to get done this semester, but today I finished a 1B in one appointment. I did go 5 minutes over, but still, it felt great!! Cute Ms. Lindsey Essig came to be my patient today. She's 12, but has all permanent teeth making her a young 1B :) Overall, it was great... I loved giving oral hygiene instructions, and scaling was fun too! She was such a great sport because she had to wait before, and after her tx for me to set up, and then finish my duties! My goal for Wednesday is to finish my dad's mouth... I need an OD check, and then I'll be good to go with scaling... I'm hoping that in a 2 hour 45 minute appointment I can finish ;) haha... I sure hope so! Maybe I'll even pass off a PE or two?! That would be nice...

Getting Going...

My cute father came to be my first patient of the semester! He was a great patient and helped me do my perio charting! :) I think overall it was a successful experience, in that I didn't fail, but I definitely could have done better... I think I put too much pressure on myself for time right now. I was able to complete a digital FMX series and a set of conventional BWX... Getting the full mouth right now relieved a bit of stress, but my goal was to get all the way through OD. I did finish probing, but there were a few things I needed to chart before an OD check when I ran out of time. I'm hoping to finish him on Wednesday when he comes back for his second appointment! Next time when he comes my goal is to calm down a bit, and not be so frazzled about time...

Thanks for coming daddy! Next time I'll try to relax, and act a little more like the daughter you know :)

AM? PM?!?

6:00 scheduled awake time
7:00 I planned on being to the school to do my pre-clinic reading
7:50 clinic starts... unit 3 is empty... "Is alyse here? Has anyone seen alyse?"
8:20 I woke up and glanced at my clock wondering how much more glorious sleep I would be privileged until my alarm went off at 6 am... "WHAT??? 8:20.. That's impossible!! WHAT HAPPENED?!?!... OH NO!!.. Clinic started." these were among my thoughts...
I got up in a crazy frenzy and threw on my just washed scrubs, some boots to tromp through the snow, and my glasses. I quickly reached under my glasses with a little tissue to wipe the leftover mascara from my sleepy eyes when I decided I would call the clinic before rushing to my car.
8:23 I called.
"Is this professor Costley?"
"Where the heck are ya?"
she giggled a little... because she knew EXACTLY who would be calling right then.
"Oh, I just woke up. My alarm was on the wrong AM/PM. I'm so sorry. Do you want me to hurry over, or should I just come to afternoon clinic session?
"Just come in the afternoon.."
"okay"
"I'll only take ten points off your grade."
"okay."
"I'm just kidding..." she giggled a little more.
"Well I deserve it because this is ridiculous. I'm so sorry. I'll be there this afternoon."

That is the way Spring semester 2009 began.