Posterior Teeth?

The other day I had a patient with immaculate dental hygiene. However, she was missing all of her posterior teeth. During my nutritional counseling, I asked her what happened to all of her back teeth. The explanation she told me was heart breaking. She explained that when she was growing up she lived in North Carolina and during that time there was still a lot of prejudice towards African Americans. At any sign of tooth problems the dentist would pull the tooth. I asked if they at least numbed her and she could not recall anything other then it being traumatic. I told her how sorry I was to hear about what had happened to her. This patient made me realize that I am going to hear sad stories throughout my career as a dental hygienist. I am going to have to be able to sympathize for the patient but still get my job done.

Ethics Project

  
   This year's Ethic's Project I felt was very beneficial. I enjoyed meeting with the dentist whom Kendall and I picked. She helped us to understand that we need to be precautions with every patient because anyone can have HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, etc. She also taught us that different situations cause even professional people to act differently. I think this assignment was good because each group got to meet with a dental professional.
   During the presentations we got to hear about all different scenarios and ethic issues. From patient confidentiality as far as disease and abuse, substance abuse of an office member, to insurance fraud. Each presentation was informative in it's own way. Some of the groups did an excellent job presenting and were original. I LOVED Harmony and Samantha's and Nada and Tara's. Those two made me laugh hard. 
   I am glad we got to do this assignment and think when I am faced with an ethical dilemma during my career I will think back to this project and the different scenarios that were presented.

Oral Surgery Rotation

I had an interesting personal experience during my Oral Surgery Rotation. It ended up being a life changing experience for me. I had geared myself up pretty much for a disaster and the first day it was. Before I even walked in the building, I was anxious and hot. I literally set myself up to hate it. I think maybe from the stories the seniors had shared, I had it in my head that I was going to hate it. I ended up not being much help that day. I just pretty much stood there and tried to stay as far away from the procedures as possible. However, when I went back on Monday, I just got in their and went right to work. I ended up LOVING it!!!! The entire process of pulling teeth I found to be interesting. I never thought I would enjoy so much blood, but I guess everyday brings new surprises :)

Rally Day 2011

I thought that Rally Day was pretty interesting, I was not sure what to expect but it turned out to be fun. I think that as a future dental hygienist I need to be well aware of the laws and bills trying to be passed as far as the whole field of dentistry is concerned. Also, I think that in the future if there is a new bill trying to be passed that I am either for or against I need to take part and let my voice be heard. Dental hygiene is my future and is going to help provide for my future family. As a dental hygienist, it is a person's job to teach the public about how important oral hygiene is. So many people are unaware of the role it plays in their health. That should be part of every dental hygienists job, even though I am sure some do not do so.
   I enjoyed watching the session from the balcony and even though I was not sure of most of what they were talking about, it was nice to see how things work. I however, am glad that is not my job. Next year will be better for me because I will have a feel of how things work instead of it being brand new.

Perio Rotation

The last two days of clinic I have been on rotations. On Friday I was in the Perio Clinic and I loved it. It was the first real exposure I have had to scaling and root planning. I assisted the resident and so got to see all the work being done. I had been worried that I was not going to be able to handle all the blood but it turns out that I didn't mind it at all. This was reassuring to me that I have chosen the right profession :)

The 2nd Semester Begins!

Today was the first day of the 2nd semester of Dental Hygiene School. I woke up and was eager to start it off because I know after this semester I am half way done! I think the semester is going to be busy with a lot of papers and assignments. In a way I am glad because last semester I felt like all I did was sit in the class room and study. I am also excited that I get to interact with more students this semester. I am fully ready to take on the semester and to get it over with :)