Simulation Day

Today was our simulation day where we try to see as many patients as we can in one day. I had a very hard patient this morning. It's been about 30+ years since he was in to see a hygienist (or maybe even a dentist) and he is REALLY afraid of needles. Well, his mouth hurt so badly that I was able to get xrays but I couldn't even probe. The bone loss on his xrays said that he should have 8-10mm pockets upon probing, but I could hardly even get a 2 before he cried out in pain. But he WOULD NOT let me get him numb. So at the end of his appt after explaining everything and how important it was for him to finish his cleaning, he told me that will not come back in. He just won't. And that's that.....
Well, after him in the am, I saw his girlfriend (the reason he even came it) and took 1/2 a full mouth on her. She is my board patient.

In the afternoon I saw an easy 1B patient and got her done in just over an hour. Then my Class IV patient came in and I cleaned 1 quad. I learned SO much! I got out my curved ultrasonic instruments and just went to town! It was a blast!!!! What a great day!

Class IV and Pedo

Today I saw a patient this morning who ended up being a class IV!!! He only has enough teeth for 3 quads, but he is an awesome patient!!! The only downside is that he doesn't want/need anesthetic. But he has a wide open mouth and just sits and lets me work as hard as I need to! LOVE IT!!
In the afternoon I had my last week's patient's 10-year-old daughter. She was really nervous about everything, but after some talking and showing we got through the appointment.

Learning opportunity and MOCK BOARD PATIENT!

This morning my patient was much like my hubby in that he was in a lot of dental pain and hasdn't seen a dentist for about 10 years. He had lost a lot of his teeth (mostly molars) but he was 3 quads of a class III! YAY! He was so sweet! I cleaned him and scheduled him back for a 3 month recall appt after boards. He also wanted his 10-year-old daughter to come in to help prevent what he is going through.
My pm patient ended up being my MOCKBOARD patient! He let me do anesthesia on him (he has a hard time with tooth pain).

Sealants, 1B, and pain in my bottom!

Today we are back in clinic and I feel it! I had a patient this morning that was just here for sealants. He was 4! Usually we don't seal the primary (baby) teeth but he had such large grooves and a family history of caries that the parents wanted them sealed. Well, he did amazing for a 4-year-old but it was just too hard to keep open, dry and successful. We only had one not work, but he did great! I also cleaned the dad's teeth. Easy easy 1B!
The afternoon pt was from Dr. Daines office where Cami works! Crazy! She needed PS& RP and 3 spots of Arestin placed. It went well and wasn't too hard but she was having a hard time and was excited to be done.