Whoa Nelly!!

We sandblasted our teeth today using the air powder polisher. Can you say nasty taste?! That was the saltiest thing ever!! I'd prefer not to have that done again. We also did the prophy polishing and fluoride varnish. Our teeth were sparkling clean until that varnish was applied! Clumps everywhere though it did taste the best out of the whole experience!!

Ultrasonic Scaling

Wow I think I drowned Kelsey today while trying out the ultrasonic scaler. Lots of water! It's pretty easy to use I think but it sounds like we just use it when there are lots of good sized chunks to get off. We all were also in a big rush to pass off the two PE's for today which were OHI and Intra oral camera. I think I'm getting more aggressive when I want to pass something off because I will tell the other girls "Hey I called (instructor) next to pass off my PE." That's so unlike me, I'm usually the patient one. Guess I'm getting a little more stressed out!

Practice makes perfect--eventually!

Last Wednesday we had a good practice day. We started off quickly going through our partner's health history, disclose them and go over OHI, probe 1 quad, and scale using our universal scaler enough to pass off the PE. Then after all was done we had to sit and write everything that we had done in their chart. I thought that was great because I was feeling lost when it came to that part. The one thing I learned from our TA Meagan was that anywhere we have the Rx is where we have to have our instructors sign! We have a few more practice days coming so hopefully I'll have it down by the time we see patients!!

Smile you're on intra oral camera!

Monday we were able to try out the intra oral camera. I thought it was great seeing how I've never had the previlege of using one before. The only problem is that you have a hard time of looking at the computer and pushing the button for a picture at the same time. The camera is hard to control because it's like with the dental mirror and indirect vision. Oh well it'll still be interesting especially for the patient to see up close what's going on in their mouth!

Dental Screening

I had a very busy day on Wed. First we had to chart each other's restorations and because my partner wasn't there I was put in a 3 some with Stephanie and Karlie. Luckily we zipped right through each other and were actually done with all three of us before everyone else! Then we were able to pass off PE's. I was determined to get three passed off but I actually ended up getting four done! Love being able to stay ahead of those dead lines!!

Here at Weber we bleed purple!

Yesterday was great! We used disclosing agent and made our mouths all purple in order to see what plaque, oh whoops it's called biofilm now, that was left on our teeth this morning. We also recorded each other's PFI. A lot to write in the chart but overall an easy day!

Last Wed. we switched to scaling the posterior teeth. I found this to be easier than the anterior which we did last Monday. The instrument has a toe on it which I guess I find to be less intimidating. The one thing I keep repeating to myself in order to make sure I use the right end is that the instrument is not supposed to wrap around the tooth--the terminal shank needs to be parallel with the axis of the tooth.

Careful! It's sharp!!

Monday we started scaling. We learned how to scale the anterior teeth. I didn't do so well because I didn't turn the scaler soon enough and kept pinching Emily's gums! I also used my fingers to move the scaler instead of my whole wrist and arm. Definitely need to practice more!!!