practice makes perfect

I cannot wait until all of this seems natural. I feel so awkward still and I just want to feel like things run smoothly. Lately though, I have decided that I need to read a little bit more. Not because I need to for tests, but because i want to so that i can be better as a practicing hygienist.

CHEESE!!

Today we took pictures with the intra oral camera. Of course, I couldn't help but to goof off a little and I took some cadid shots of Ms. Gina. It was a lovely picture. I think that an intra oral camera is good for education purposes. It would be nice to be able to take a shot, sit the patient up, and educate with an actually picture of their mouth. The only thing is that we get so rushed during apointments, we rarely even do health history things in private practice, when are we going to have enough time to really educate each patient.
we also have some visitors from our sister school in China here today. I am trying to decide if I will go to China this summer or not. i think that it would be a good experience, but I don't know how much I really want to do it. I don't want to pay money for something that I don't really, really want.

Exam

It was nice to get to do the whole exam today. I felt that all of those confusing details that I used to have a hard time with weren't so confusing this time. I feel that I am starting to get more comfortable.
However, I had to do some vigorous scaling today on some orthodontic glue. Between the instructor watching, all the work, and my nervousness, it created a great deal of heat. Sometimes I wonder, "Will I really be good at this some day." I know it will just take time so I will be patient.
I have realized that I have started to run out of motivation to study. Some days i feel that I would prefer to do just about anything else. Oh well, keep pressing on I guess.

Scalerific

Today's scaling went pretty well. It was nice to feel somewhat confident doing something. I feel that I can adapt to the teeth instead of gouging the gums all of the time. I think that I am pressing too hard and that I need to lighten up. I have found that we all seem to go pretty hard with our instrumentation until we realize that we can get the job done without being brutal. I think that part of it is also that we are nervous and holding on to those instruments for dear life and that we just need to relax. The nice thing is that I feel we don't even have to practice too much to improve alot. I think that I am catching on to the feel of things and that I can be a little more confident than I have been.

Disclosure Statement

So Joni and I came up with this brilliant idea. We wanted to see lots of plaque when we disclosed so I didn't brush my teeth for 36 hours. It was disgusting, but it was all for the sake of science. And to be honest, I didn't make it to the 48 hour mark we were shooting for. I broke this morning and brushed my teeth. OOPS. Either way, I still had some plaque on there.
I probed today and I didn't hurt my patient. victory. She hurt me though, just kidding, gee Jones I hope you aren't reading this.
We have all decided that we like clinic because we know that we will be able to lay down for a few hours every other day. It's fabulous.
Well, I'm sleepy and kind of short winded, so I am going to sign off. Tootles.

Happy Day

I think that I finally have the hang of probing. I didn't hurt anyone today and i felt that I could read better and faster than last time. the funny thing is that we don't necessarily practice outside of class, but it seems that when we come back we are better. I don't know how that works, but it does.
Disclosing solution is oh so attractive. I'm thinking of swishing some around on my next date. But that might be too irristable and I don't want to have to deal with any love struck boys. So maybe I won't use the disclosing solution after all.
stephanie brushed my teeth for me today and I was really impressed by how cleaning my teeth could feel without the prophy angle. It's interesting, but smart that we are encouraged to just brush our patients. I think that will help them realize that they can do the same thing themselves. I am excited to help others with their oral hygiene and get them to the point that they can have really good oral hygiene themselves, you know make a difference in the world.
So life is good, I am just so happy with how things are going. I honestly love living at home. When my parents are gone my little bro. and i just hang out. Last night we lit a fire, listened to Christmas music, talked about child hood memories and then gave each other wedgies. It was good times.
Life rocks!! TLLYTGIS

Dental Screening

So I finally read ahead last night, really read and I actually felt ready for clinic today. It made such a difference. I felt that I could respond better to all of the questions and I felt that the information was cemented into my brain rather than floating by like it usually does.
Dental screening was something that I could feel comfortable with. It has nothing to do with my grasp or ability to adabt, but rather my own knowledge.
I also did more probing and exploring today and I felt that I was starting to get it a little more. Our TA, Emily, was super good at teaching us really good techniques and she helped boost my confidence a bit more. She really know her stuff and I felt that she helped me eliminate some bad habits that were forming.

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

Today is a nice, rainy day. It is quite enjoyable outside and the temperature is perfect. Clinic today was nice also. I felt that I was getting the hang of probing. I think that I can still be more gentle and a little bit faster. the thing I have the hardest time with is seeing my probe depths. I wonder if I would be able to see things better if I had loops.
I feel that I have finally reached a really good spot. I no longer compare myself to everyone else or worry about getting straight "A's". Rather I am focus more on retaining the information, keeping a steady pace, and enjoying the time that I have in this program. I still feel like there are things that I miss, but I don't let it bother me too much because I realize that all people are human and we are bound to make mistakes.
I felt that I could have done better on the last exam and I think that I will make the goal to get higher grades on the next test. I felt that I just worried to much about absorbing the information instead of absorbing the information.
I also feel really good about my marital status, or dating status I guess. I used to worry about that all of the time. However, I have come to realize that Mr. Right is out there somewhere, and that when the time is right, I'll meet him. In the meantime, I am focusing on developing talents and hobbies that I have always wanted to have i.e. Quilting, sewing, beading, cooking, hiking, reading, car mechanics, etc. I feel that this is my time to really develop into the person I am supposed to be and I am grateful for this time.
Life is beautiful.