9-16-10

Today was relatively easy. I got some PE's done and one exam. What was really cool is that I didn't miss any spots in both my appointments! This could also be a bad thing though because now I have raised my expectations of myself and I think the professors have too. I found that the biggest thing I have improved on since school began is my confidence. And it isn't something that comes during the appointment. It is simply a conscience decision that I make before I come into clinic and it makes all the difference. I found that my back was hurting quite a bit today. I don't know what the deal was! I was trying so hard to keep my shoulders down, but it didn't hurt in the spot it normally does. This time it hurt everywhere. I don't know what I can do to make it feel better. I may have to refer to an ergonomics book or something. It mostly happens when I am in an 8:00 position. I don't know. Anyway, today was a good day and really there isn't a whole lot to write.

Sept. 9, 2010

I know that I am writing a little late, but I was just so frustrated on Thursday that I didn't want to write. Things went a little less smoothly than last week, but I'm glad because there are many lessons that I learned. One of my patients was coming back for me to clean the other half of his mouth. He told me that he had never hurt so bad before. He had hurts for weeks after. I felt so bad. Prof. Alexander told me to make him own it. I should've said, "that is good, that means I did my job and that healing is now able to take place." I learned that to hurt for a while is normal and that I need to suggest advil and a warm salt solution rinse. If I make it sound like it is going to be worse, they will love me when it isn't that bad. I also learned that I need to be conscience of what I am saying around my patient. Instead of saying, "I haven't used this instrument as much" I need to say, "can you help me with the angles on this instrument." I have to act like I know what I am doing even if I don't. I have to be confident. I also need to remember that I am still just a student. I can't expect myself to be perfect, especially when I just came back from a long summer break. Bottom line, I need to have confidence. I should be proud of myself. Thursday I had really hard patients, and I finished them in one appointment. I am improving of my instrumentation and I really feel like I know what I am doing now. I'm going to be okay.

First Day at WSU

It's the first day back and it actually felt really good! I went to the VA on tuesday and that was just a mess. I felt like a took forever and everything was just so new that it was frustrating. I was mostly frustrated for my poor patient that had to deal with me taking time to learn the new system. I just felt like I needed to work on everything because I didn't know what I was doing. I need to work on digital schick and time managment because it seems like I just scaled and checked and scaled and checked over and over and it just wasn't all that necessary. Anyway, I think I learned a lot from the VA because today felt so much better. I was a lot faster with scaling because I didn't check again and again. I probably still need to work on digital, but I don't think I will do that here until we get the new pixie xcps. I've been trying to Pro. Costely to get them ordered. All of us were kind of jealous when all the first years got them and non of the second years did when we all wanted one. Anyway, we are working on getting those in and I think that will help a lot. I still probably need to work on technique with scaling. Today Pro. Hanson helped me with getting the distal of the last molar. I think I have a hard time using my mirror back there so that is something that I want to work on for next time. Anyway, today felt good and I just hope that I don't get to prideful because I'm sure if I do I will be humbled with new experiences next week. But you know what? That is okay with me because it seems like I learn the most from those harder experiences.