...it finally clicked. finally.

I'm really quite embarassed THANKFUL that today happened.

So: here's the deal.

I have never really felt confident using my ultrasonic.

I hate to admit it. . but I haven't.

I think all the "horror stories" they tell us in first year ruined me.

"What if I make the tip so hot I burn her pulp!"

"What if the vibrating tip hurts the patient!"

"What if I drown the patient!"

There are all typical thoughts I have EACH time I pick up my ultrasonic tip.

sorta.

It's terrible.  And I have never used the ultrasonic like I should be.

In the past: (meaning, just yesterday, and all the other days before), I would ultrasonic everywhere and basically miss everything.

And then: I would hand scale FOREVER.

Should be the other way around.

But remember: i was scared!

 

So today: at midtown, Instructor Bunker saved my life.

She helped me truly learn how to USE and HOLD and INSTRUMENT using the ultrasonic.  Wow.  My life will never be the same.

I was totally doing everything wrong!

I wasn't using the lateral sides, even though I studied for tests that those are the active parts of the instrument. :)

Oooooops.

And I was turning off and on my water every two seconds.

Also, not okay.

And....it was basically just a disaster.

She made me turn on the water and never turn it off, and use my ultrasonic tip as if I was erasing something.  Going slowly, and make many strokes over the same area, and push hard on the areas with tenacious sub-gingival calculus.

Basically everything clicked and I love her for helping me. forever.

 

I was able to scale 2 quads of a class III patient today at midtown.

And gave 5 injections on that pt.

I was also able to scale 3 quads of a class II patient, and gave 7 injections on her.

YAY!  So many fun experiences, and i loved seeing all that thick, black calculus just FLY off.

I loveeeeee my profession.

yes.



Hip Hip!

Today was sweet.

I was able to bring both of my class II's back in to get finished (ish).

...sidenote: i'm continuing blogging, because I want a record of all of these fantastic days :)

Like a journal from school :)

(basically, so one day I can laugh at "the hygienist I once was..")

Anyway!

So my 8:00 pt was the sweetest older woman. . Her husband just had a stroke and it was so nice that she could confide in me and I could ask how he (and she..) were doing.

I love hygiene because we don't just clean teeth.

We build friendships and trust with our patients, and we can be a listening ear.

Anyway- I finished her all up in a jiffy and didn't miss any spots. phew!

Then: my second pt. was supposed to come in at 10:00.

Yep: she showed up at 10:25 and I didn't get to scaling until 10:30.

**Walk out is 10:45, mind you**

Anyway- I was a speed demon and got one quad done on her in the time allotted.

So- she'll have to come back. again. dang-- too bad she was late.

Oh well- that's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes :)

 

Then: we had lab in the afternoon where we learned how to push ppl around in wheelchairs and other fun stuff.

:)

We learned how to use the velscope, and more about accessory fulcrums.

It was a chill, fun, nice, easy, day.

So glad the semester is almost coming to an end, and that I don't have to worry about requirements anymore, since Midtown requirements count.  PHEW!

I love hygiene.

A lot.