Back at WSU

Well I did it! That is finish my first day back at WSU's clinic. Like I said I was a little nervous about today because I was CA last week and clinic here is a lot different than it is at the VA but I managed and got done with both of my patients early.
My first patient was a lady I saw at the Women's Health Connection this last summer. She was as nice as could be and was a great patient to start on. She was a Class V with minimal amounts of calculus but lots of plaque/biofilm. I used the ultrasonic on her for the initial debridement and she was a great help with the saliva evacuator. That is something I need to work on is controlling the ultrasonic better when it is in the patient's mouth. However, it didn't help that I couldn't adjust the water control on my ultrasonic unit so I'll use that as my excuse today.
My second patient was my uncle, my favorite uncle so that made it fun. He is a bit of a chatter so to make him stop I just had to stick my hands in his mouth and get to work. I feel that will be something I will have to utilize with more of my patients in the future. I was able to take 4 BWX on him. I took verticals on him and my patient this morning- they are kind of hard and I struggled getting my contacts open. My instructor told me I need to move the PID more mesial so that is something I will need to focus on more in the future. My uncle was also a Class V with minimal amounts of calculus. He has very good oral hygiene just a bit of recession. I do need to be more diligent in going into the interproximals to check for calculus there as well not be scared to go subgingivally. My uncle was a great patient and it was nice to get 8 quads and 8 BWX done today.
One goal I do have is to work on my OHI. I am good with telling them the basics: brushing and flossing but I want to give more personalized instruction that will benefit the patient. Prevention should be my main goal and more personalized OHI will help get me there. Well that's it for today! Don't forget to smile :)