"Sorry Leigh!''

This phrase could be heard around my pod over and over as I used the high volume suction today. I kept sucking up Leigh's cheeks and tongue. Even her lip a few times. Luckily, she was so patient with me and let me practice all I wanted with the high volume suction. Holding this suction feels so un-natural to me, so this practice was much needed. After a while, I started to get the hang of it. Hopefully, with more practice, I can suction up some water insead of someone's face. We also learned how to set up our unit and tear down our unit. We learned how to use the barriers and covers to get our unit ready. I feel like I have most of that down, there is just lots of little things to remember. I think it will come to me once I form my own little routine of barriering, disinfecting, etc. I also was able to pass off my PPE PE. I love this new little feeling of passing off a PE, one tiny step closer. Great day in clinic! But...I do need to find someone to hem my scrub pants due to the fact that sewing machines really don't agree with me. At all.

Blue Boa, Typodont, and PPE

In clinic today we had a guest speaker who is the inventor of the blue boa. It was cool to see a hygienist who saw a problem and came up with a solution to help other hygienists while using an ultrsonic scaler. I was impressed with her idea! We then got to practice with the blue boa and our typodonts and with using the suction. It was fun to do something hands-on for the first time in clinic. We also learned about personal protection equipmet and the proper ways to stay clean and safe by using gloves, masks, and safety eyewear. I was glad that I was able to pass off my Eaglesoft PE today so that I can focus on my next PE. We then watched a video about Universal Safety for health care professionals. I love how all of us girls are already becoming good friends. There is a little comfort in knowing I have 29 other people stressing and learning along with me!

My First Day of Clinc

It was exciting to start my first day as a dental hygiene student! Today in clinic we became familiar with our pod and unit. In our pod there is me, Michelle, Leigh, and Karen. We practiced using the things in our unit and learned what they are called. We also did a scavenger hunt to learn where supplies are kept and where certain things are in the building. We started our first PE, which is learning the Eaglesoft program. I have only used Dentrix software so this was new to me. We also had time to ask Proffesor Costley any questions we have about passing off PE's, what to bring to class, etc. I feel much more relaxed now that I know a little more about what is expected of me here in clinic. Overall a good first day!