September 20

So, I pretty much need to forget that today ever happened. I made almost every charting mistake you could make today. I alos scaled a patient and left calculus just about everywhere. Of course, I have used my defense mechanisms described by Freud and made the situation seem like it wasn't me. So now I feel much better. I just learned from my mistakes and am moving on.

9/20/07

Today was proof that fate is against me. My afternoon patient cancelled on me today, so I started working on my peer. The whole time i was worrying about not having any class 3's and class 2's, then low and behold, a hispanic patient that hadn't been to the dentist for 6 years shows up. I was elated, thanked my lucky stars and brought my patient. But alas, no calculus, no bone loss, no nothing. (That's what Russ calls the triple whamie). the search continues.
Stayed tuned for the update of next week.

9/13/07

School has robbed me of my creativity. I used to have all sorts of fun titles for my blogs and now they are all just dates, how textbook.
Today went alot better than last week. I didn't feel like it was so chaotic. I felt like I was in control and I also felt more confident. I still struggle with distingushing calculus from tooth anatomy, restorations, or the CEJ. I think that as I have more experience, I will feel like I know better.
I also learned how to use the ultra sonic better. I need to move so that the curve and the face follow the crown of the tooth, which may mean that I have to move out of the conventional clinician position, but that's OK. I learned you can see alot more from 3 o'clock than I thought.
It's really nice to pick up tips and tricks from other people, it makes my job alot easier.
I also learned, that if a patient has had root exporsure for a long period of time, they have no cementum left and not to stress about removing it, because it's all ready gone.

9/6/07

Well, a full day of clinic is a little more tiring than just a half day. It's good to learn how to build up the stamina, though. It's hard to be criticed on so much and to have so many details to pay attention to, but i realized today that it really will be for our benefit. We are learning how to catch everything and how to be detail oriented. So for, it's good, but I definetly have room for improvement. I also need to improve my attitude and how I respond to difficult situations. I will be excited one day when the stress of school is over, but until then, I will just hang on tight.