October v.s November

Well October is now over and it was one crazy month. Between competency's, exams, and POH's getting things done was crucial for this month of November because PATIENTS ARE COMING!!!! Some of the competency's that the class did this month was to have full knowledge of Scalers, Curets, Rubber Cup Polishing, Fluoride Treatment, and many others. I am fortunate to say I passed all my Competency's before seeing patients, but it wasn't easy. I had to keep re-taking my Explorer Comp. For some reason I struggled to adapt the right end on the tooth surface, using the right fulcrum, and even rolling the instrument. Until one day when Dr. P was helping me with my instrumentation. I had that "aah ha" moment that everyone keeps talking about. For some reason as she was explaining it to me and helping me use the right end it clicked. I was so happy because since then things for the most part have been smooth sailing.



Another thing I struggled with last month was the 9/10. I thought I knew how to use that instrument but I didn't. All I knew at the moment was that the Gracey 9/10 is used for lingual and buccal surfaces only. Having the definition was one thing, but I suppose putting the instrument into practice was another thing. Ms. Bonwell finally demonstrated the right procedure on using the 9/10. I still don't feel as confident about that instrument compared to the other, but I suppose that's why we practice.



In addition to knowing all instruments in the month of October, getting exams done and POH'S was a little crazy this past month. A couple weeks back the class had 3 exams in one week, 2 of which that fell on the same day. That night Sarah Talley and I experienced our first 5 hour energy shots. We stayed up all night and focused on studying and it worked! Not only did we stay up all night to study but we did pretty well on our exams. Also when I did my second POH for this semester it felt much easier to pass this time around then last time. I think it had to do with knowing what is to be expected.Even though I brushed to the point my tongue almost fell off, I passed and that was the important thing.

Well in closing I just want to add that I am very excited, but very nervous to see our first patients this week. I don't know really want to expect, but I know that I need to be confident and just recall on all the information that was taught in the past couple months. To only thing that we started in August and now we all know so much. If anyone has any suggestions for this week and seeing patients please by all means let me know if you feel the same way. I just hope that everything goes well and that I don't mess up. That I feel confident in front of my patient and not mess up. I know one thing for sure, "DON SAY OOPS" in front of your patient. :)