Wednes, Jan 25th...

Today was another fun filled day at the VA. My morning started off with a 27 year old guy that was scared of--well, I guess me!? He didn't want to open his mouth! He was freaking out and jumped out of his chair any time that I even got close to his gums. I finally stopped and said that if he couldn't handle me even probing then we might want to consider giving him a shot to make his mouth numb. He acted like he didn't hear me--and wouldn't open his mouth. I tried to ultrasonic--and he was going nuts. So I told him that I was going to get the LA ready. He looked terrified. So, we compromised with nitrous. To do this we had to clean him in Dr. Erickson's chair--that doesn't have ultrasonic. I was totally lost without my ultrasonic! Even with the gas--this guy was still jumping like crazy. I thought that I was only going to get one quad of this class 2 done--how pathetic. I was able to get 2 quads done--but boy did it suck. Oh, and the best part is that he gets to come back next week for me to finish his other half. YEA!

This afternoon was much better. I saw a class 5/3. He was really interested in what I was doing and I took several breaks to show him what I was seeing and doing in his mouth. I think that he really liked that. He was very nice and his teeth looked so much better. It was very rewarding to see the change. The time goes by much quicker when things are going smooth!

Lucky me--I get to go back to the VA tomorrow for CA @ the VA! YEA!

WSU Jan 24th...

Today I saw a patient that was ref. from mid-town. He was really nice and even better--might be a perfect board patient. I cleaned one quad today and will have hime come back in April for another screening. The quad that I cleaned today was the worst area in his mouth. He had several high probe readings. It was a little bit of a challenge to get the calc. off of his teeth. In fact, Inst. Garrett spent about an hour with me working on one spot--that was still there when the patient left. FUN!

This afternoon, my patient ended up not coming. But there was a sweet old man (85 yo) that thought that he could just walk in for an appt. He had talked to some friends that had been seen at WSU--but I guess they failed to mention that he needed to sched. an appt. But it worked out great for me because I needed someone to see! He was so nice. He kept on saying "Well bless your heart!" He was just the cutest. I didn't really have any problems cleaning his teeth. He was friendly and easy. At the end he even gave me a hug. Ohhh.

Jan 18th at the VA...

I could not wake up this morning. But at 6:45 we were all driving down to the stinky VA. YEA!

This morning I saw 2 quads from a patient that came in last week. He was pretty grose. Then I was a calss 5 patient. He was also pretty grose. I couldn't even tell if I was making his teeth look any better because he had so much decay and decalcification. It was pretty colorful (in shades of gray--green). Then this afternoon I was able to see a class 2 patient. I feel like my speed is really picking up. I enjoy cleaning their teeth--but I didn't enjoy the lice that my afternoon patient left on my black scrub pants. YUM! I always feel so dirty when I leave there! Well, until next week!

Jan. 17 Clinic...

This morning my patient didn't come--so after calling 10 people and not getting anyone to come in--I found other things to pass the time until the afternoon. I was able to screen a possible board patient from mid-town. He is going to come in next week to have 2 quads cleaned.

This afternoon I saw a 4 year old girl. I was able to get BWX and polish her. I felt like I really wasn't doing everything--but I guess that is because I wasn't. Then after waiting for a "scale check" on my 4 year old for about 30 minutes--finally another instructor came over to help me because my next patient was there.

He was a class 3 from last semester. I was able to give him LA and get 2 quads done before it was time to check out. I seem to think that the errors that were recorded were still in the patients mouth when he left. Because my instructor couldn't remove them--but still wanted me to write them down. She is really crazy! I can't wait for an instructor change!

VA--Friday the 13th...

Well, this am started out a little rocky with Crystal garbage digging for her keys and then temp. loosing her folder. Ohhhh.

I saw a guy that has MS. He is 57 years old and a class 4. But he said that he brushes 2 times a day. So we had to talk about his technique for quite a while and actually recommended a sonicare. At the VA they can get them from the pharm. down stairs. Who knew?! He took me all day and was bit of a challenge--but I was happy to have him. Kami was a huge help and gave me a lot of great tips on how to get that calc. off. She is a great teacher. Oh, the highlight of my afternoon was when my pt. spit a loogie on his bib--then after almost throwing up--I sucked it up with my high-speed suction. YUCK! I almost lost it. You've got to love the VA!

Clinic Jan. 10th

Wow. It is taking me a little bit of effort to get back into the school mode. I totally forgot that we were supposed to be blogging. I think that I am still on Christmas break and worrying about boards.

I saw a really nice class 5 this am. He was very grateful for my services. I was happy to help him and I was also glad that I still remembered how to hold a tool--I mean instrument after Christmas break.

This afternoon I saw a good class 2. He was only 21 years old but hadn't had his teeth cleaned for about 6 years. He almost qualified as a board patient--but I think that he will be a better mock-board patient. He was really nice--but had so much build up on his teeth. I cleaned half of his mouth today and will clean the other half on mock-board day.

What a long day.