Confidence with a capital "C"

Today was so nice!! I didn't get all of the calculus off, but I got alot off. I felt a lot more confident this time. I would explore and when i felt calculus, I actually knew what instrument to use to get it off. The bad thing is that I just barely figured it out on the last day of clinic. Oh well, better luck next year. Bon Voyage!!

clinic 4/18/07

Today Jake Kirkham was my patient again. He let me do a full mouth series of x-rays on him. At first I was nervous, but they turned out all right. I am still a little shaky on the canine shots and I don't really know how to improve. However, today was the first day that I did not have any root lapping on the canines!!! My goal is to be confident in my x-ray taking skills.

class two

I just don't know how I feel about this whole dental hygienist thing. I often feel like everyone is alot better than me and that I will mever get the hang of things. My instructors just keep on telling me that i am getting hard patients, but sometimes I think that it is more than just that. I hope that as time goes on I start to really improve.

sealants

Today I had a patient come in just for sealants and x-rays. I felt bad because it took forever and for some reason I could not get the sealants to stay. I did everything correctly and still it would not work. On the bright side, my patient saved $18.00 today.
My patient told me that he used to not be a brusher until he started using Reach floss holders. He recommended that I tell my patients who don't floss, to use it and that they will start flossing daily.
He also told me that flossing and brushing is his best dental insurance, I really think that I will start telling other patients that also. Hopefully, they will start to see what I am talking about.

class 3

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I did my first class 3 today and it stunk!! I totally thought that I would be able to do 3 quads and um, well lets try only one quad. I have never dealt with such tenacious calculus in my life. I was frustrated, but I realized that it was such a good experience because I am really starting to learn now. I felt that I learned a ton this time and that I will be better next time. I feel that I know more how to approach things from the beginning so that it is a better experience for all involved.

As the Semester Goes By

This has been an educational semester. I have learned alot about exploring, instruments, lots of lateral pressure, and most of all EVERYTHING. I still flake something everyday, but i am trying to better at paying attention to all the details. I feel that I am more confident than I used to be, but I still struggle at removing tenacious calculus and I get nervous for the day when I have my class three. I'm sure he will be difficult, but it will be ok.
The instructors are really good at teaching us patiently and that has been so appreciated. It is nice to feel like I am surrounded by a support team of people that are interested in the good of the students. I feel that Weber States Dental Hygiene program is difficult, but most fantastic.