Monday we learned how to use the explorer. I thought it was interesting because I've used the explorer but had never been taught how to properly use it. The other thing I learned while reading in Nield was that you do the distal separately then you take the explorer out before turning it to do the mesial. While we were practicing on each other I was trying to turn it while it was still under the gum line. Hopefully I won't poke my patients!!

Probing

Probing is finally here! Heard a lot of ouches in clinic as everyone got to poke their neighbor. It's definitely going to take some practice to get the angles right and I have a hard time reading the probe, may need to get some loupes to fix that problem! Jenn was a good sport, I felt bad that I had to keep probing in tender areas cuz I couldn't tell which line to read!

We've moved on to mirror fulcrums and the right way to grasp instruments. Finally getting into each others mouths! I worry about the fulcruming because I want to fulcrum on the opposite arch but they want us to fulcrum on the same arch we are working on. That and I need to tape my pinky to my ring finger to keep it from sticking out!!!

Ok so last Wednesday we passed off the Health History and Vitals PE's. We also learned to do extra oral exams. I had to make a separate list of the areas we have to evaluate in order to learn them because just following the PE I kept losing my place. I practiced on both my husband and daughter and feel like I've got that one down.

Still working on the Health Histories. I think I'm understanding it more after today. It's just going to take a lot of practice! Also took vitals today on our pod pals. Not too hard. My problem is just remembering the numbers before I write them down!

Health Histories

All about Health Histories!! That's what we've been doing this week. We have to write a novel on every patient and anything that is the least bit wrong with their health. I know it's important but it is very time consuming!!

Today in clinic we discussed how to fill out the Health History and what to write down in the treatment chart. Also our pod passed off another 2 PE's: the Exposure Control set up and post appointment tear down. Love passing those off! Just means one less thing to worry about. We also made our own personal patient chart to be used in clinic.