9/27

Today I wanted to pass off some PE's and learn how to probe. I was really nervous going into clinic because I had such a hard time with explorering and I thought probing would be harder. Suprise!! It wasn't! I actually got the hang of probing and it wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined it. Its easier than exploring because its not so sharp. My goal for next time is to keep plugging along with the PE's and to practice my exploring at home so I can be really good at it in clinic on monday.

9/25

Today for clinic my goal was to become better at using the explorer. To accomplish my goal I took my typodont home and practiced my instrument roll. When I got to clinic I tried not to get discouraged or overwhelmed. I tried to focus on learning to technique and improving my skill. I feel like I accomplished my goal to an extent. I feel a lot better about exploring and I didn't stab my patient too much. I still need a lot of practice but I at least improved from last time.

9/20

today's clinic was the most challenging clinic of the year so far. I felt prepared when I went into class and even working on the typodonts wasn't too bad but once I worked on a real person I had a hard time. I didn't realize how hard it would be to try and master the finger role and modified pen grasp. Its hardest to try and combine all of the skils we have been learning thus far in clinic. Whats good is that I passed off two PE's. But I still left clinic overwhelmed and frustrated. I was having the hardest time rotating the explorer and keeping the point of the instrument on the tooth. My goal is to practice as much as I can at home and to try and not get discouraged.

9/18

Today in clinic we learned the intra-oral exam. It is a little more complicated and there are a lot more steps to go through than with the extra oral exam. I think by the end of clinic I kind of had it down. My goal is to go home and practice it so I can get a system down. I want to also practice my vital signs and extra oral exam.

9/13

In clinic on Wednesday I came with the goal to pass off PE's and to learn the head and neck examination well. When I was reading the material before clinic I was a little confused about how to perform an extra oral exam. In clinic it was actually easier than I thought and pretty fun to do! I also passed off 3 PE's!! It was great to see how chair positions can then be expanded to using different fulcrums while in different positions. Clinic is getting more interesting and I am excited to build upon the concepts we have already learned and are learning right now.

9/11

My goal in clinic today was to improve on my chair positions. To accomplish this goal I studied my Neild book before class and during class I took it slowly and made sure I new what to do to clean each surface. I feel more confident now! I have the positions almost down. I still want to go home and practice before I pass off the PE. It was a good clinic day!

Clinic #3

Today was my third time in clinic. I went into clinic with the goal to pass off some PE's and to master my chair positions! I decided I would reach this goal by having more confidence in myself and my abilities. Its hard not to get discouraged when you make a mistake and after that everything seems to be a little harder. I feel I was able to accomplish my goals. I passed off three PE's and was able to review my chair positions. I feel so much better about clinic today!