February 10, 2010

My patient today was from Kenya! Such a nice guy. Unfortunately, the cultural and language barriers prevented me from letting him understand what I was going to do to him today. Even though I talked to him on the phone and felt like he understood everything, he came thinking he would get his two very broken and decayed teeth fixed. I had to tell him I was just there for prevention and would only be cleaning his teeth. He was very nice to let me clean, but was unprepared for the charges. He didn't want to take x-rays because of the cost, and was very hesitant about the cost for the cleaning, but agreed at least to the cleaning. He told me a little bit about the dental care in Kenya, and then I told him all about American care and how much we value prevention. I loved teaching him about the etiology of gingivitis and caries because it was all so new to him. I felt like I had sufficiently taught him the importance of prevention, but after I only finished 2 quads today he asked me if he REALLY needed to come back to finish. Poor guy, I could tell it was just a financial problem. I told him that it would help to prevent further big problems, but that if he needed to just use his money to get the very visible concerns restored first, then that would probably be best. I told him to call me if he ever wanted to finish the rest of the cleaning. I hope he comes back. I want him to understand a little bit more about prevention and hope to avoid the big restorations that could come.

February 8, 2010

I finished my dad today. Everyday I care more and more about my patient's oral health and I really love teaching about what I've learned in classes about oral problems and how we (the patient and I) can both do our part to improve their oral health. I also love the feeling that comes after finishing a patient! Wow, I just feel at peace and accomplished...unfortunately, it starts all over again in 6 months for that patient and in 2 days for me!

February 3, 2010

My first stranger patient, today! She was very sweet and patient with me. She was a 1B, but with some actual visual calculus! So exciting. I love getting it off! Such a great feeling. Also took another set of BWX. My goal is to get some sealants done. I just found out we have to do 3 by the end of the semester!

February 1, 2010

Got a FMX done! Lucky my dad loves me enough to pay $40 for x-rays. They turned out great, only one retake. I also was able to get the HHX and OD done, but that's it. :( He's coming back next week and I'm setting a goal to finish. Then I'll have my first 4 quads of a class 2. Technically he's a class 5 so I can't use him for my exam. Time to start calling off the recall list and praying for class 2's and 3's!