Today I had a class 4 patient and it was hard. I started off ultrasonicing, but I was using the wrong insert. Always start with the hardest and strongest insert if the patient is hard.

9/18/08

Today I learned to give all the information to the patient for OHI and then give them what they should know to give them the best results at home, like flossing one time a day and brush two times a day and make them realize that they can be the ones to keep their teeth clean. Then leave it to them to try to make a goal.

VA 9/16/08

I learned an important thing today with scaling. I was getting so frusterated and I just didn't understand what was going on with my patient. I was scaling and ultrasonicing and I was never getting done. Well, I learned that some patients will never be done. I only got two quads of a class 2. The patient was a heavy smoker and had a hairy tongue which was interesting. The hygienist at the VA finished the patient and also reassured me that this patient wouldn't be done and in 3 months the patient will be back with the same stuff.

9/11/08

Today went very well for me.  I passed off my selective polishing PE and got complimented on what a good job I did.  It feels great to get a compliment from an instructor.  

Clinic sept 4

Today in clinic I got caught up in trying to do more than I could and I didn't get finished and I got very discouraged.  I was thinking I had more time, but it turns out I was wrong.  Don't forget when the patient needs to be out of the clinic.