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.