Cavatron

First time using the cavatron was a bit scary. I didn't know exactly how it would affect the patient until my winced. I knew then that the cavatron should be used carefully. A couple things I struggled with was hooking up the cavatron. I didnt know what part went where and had to ask alot of questions. I think if we were shown the cavatron more than once or twice I would feel more confident in using that particular tool, but it was a learning experience having to do it on the spot. While using the cavatron water was going everywhere. I soaked my patient and it was a bit embarrassing. How can I improve my use of the cavatron so I wont soak my patient?

First Semester Patients

Well we just got done with our first semester seeing patients and boy was it crazy. Having a partner was awesome because we were able to get all our patients done in clinic. The scary thing about that is, next semester we don't have partners and charting and seeing the patient will be all up to me. A couple things I struggled this past semester was charting. Some of the residents I guess expect us, first semester hygiene students, to know everything about charting. Although, I learned so much from them, it was still nerve wracking. Knowing what is normal in the mouth and what could potentially be something was sometimes a little difficult and when making notes about those specific areas was also a bit difficult. Knowing all the symbols when charting is going to be crazy next semester. Did anyone else have problems with that? Well other than that I loved each one of my patients. They were awesome and I am so looking forward to next semester, even though I am a bit nervous about charting. Well if anyone has suggestions about charting please let me know. Thanks guys :)