It's been two weeks since I've updated my blog about progress this semester. Last post I mentioned that we began a couple new classes that have taken flight, but we've also added another. In addition to BP Fixed, we are taking a class called, Dental Materials. So far it seems like a class that you either love or hate. It compliments BP Fixed because it describes particular properties and explains the reasoning behind why dentist use the materials that they do. At our school DM is only a 1/2 credit but at others its more extensive -worth upwards of 3 credits. But don't let the credit count allude you into believing that there is little work required because we are assigned plenty of reading for homework.
Dental Materials is a very important class in my opinion because it helps you understand why you choose certain materials when establishing a treatment plan and understand what's
commonly used in the fabrication and placement of direct and cast restorations. It can be a deciding factor in how much you charge your patients and how long the restoration lasts (crown, bridge, filling, temporary, etc, etc). Patients should also be aware of their options and get an understanding of what they are being charged for and why... it could save a lot of confusion and bitterness in the long run on the patient's end. For the dentist, if you have a firm understanding of a broad sense of materials then it could effect how you manage your inventory and in addition develop a routine of working with products your more comfortable with.
As far as BP Fixed, we have it once a week for 4 hours at a time. It's a lab class where we can develop hand skills and start practicing restorative dentistry. Currently we are working on a project where we cut an abutment with our drill and create a provisional. In lamen, we are drilling away cavities, and creating a "post" in order to place a temporary crown. The one you wear as a patient for about a week until you receive your permanent crown.
With regards to my other six classes, things have been sort of busy but manageable. At this stage in our education, each semester gets more difficult and requires much more time in the lab and library. I'll take our schedule any day over what they have scheduled for us next year. Masticatory Dynamics can be confusing at times but is the foundation to dentistry. We are learning about how the teeth
should come together, in occlusion, and how the entire jaw functions as a unit. This last week we began learning about where each cusp should rest and exactly where they should move with respect to its opposing tooth and neighbors in space. It requires a great deal of spatial ability but this is helpful in practice when creating dentures and correcting malocclusion (incorrect jaw orientation). I hope I'm explaining this right.. it's still pretty new to me. We had our 1st test of 3 in Body As Host and that went well. Now we are learning about bacteria and their association to our mouth, body, and health. This class can be pretty interesting in learning which bug causes what disease and how our immune system copes. Then we have good old Head & Neck. This class is a doozy. To date, we have learned in gory detail (..literally) about how the entire head is innervated, the vasculature, every bone and muscle in the head, and its development.... unfortunately this is not where the class ends so please, pray for me. On Valentines Day, we spent lecture with cadavers (dead bodies) picking at their face and familiarizing ourselves with how it looks in real life; not in a book. It's not so bad if you keep up with it and become familiar with latin terminology; gibberish in my opinion but very descriptive if you understand it. Lastly, we have ACE: Knowing the Patient which is blah... neither here, nor there. It's informative but definitely not challenging. It basically covers communication: what questions to ask, how to ask them, in order to understand your patient's needs.
Social life has been alright. There is a bar strip called Coventry out here which is ok but not exciting. Drinking and/or socializing is SOO important in dental school because you need to relax so you don't explode. Our class is very competitive so I try and distance myself as much as possible during the week to reduce stress because it's contagious. As the year flies by fewer people go out and opt to study through the entire weekend but it's necessary at times. Since Regan's departure to California to pursue her dreams, my adventurous side has become obsolete but that happens when you don't have your own car. This semester has gotten heavy so I don't blame myself or anyone else in my class for strapping down and getting stuff done. But I look forward to having an exciting summer, my only summer in 4 years of dental school. I'm praying that I can find a job in Lacey (or WA) and move back for the summer. We will see.
Well, I have my first mock interview/simulation with a patient, who's an actor, first thing in the morning. So time to prepare. Remember, preparation is the key to success. I also, have my first prophy (teeth cleaning) on a random patient this Friday so this week will be interesting. And to update everyone about our intramural basketball team, we finished our season 0-5. Go us, haha!
Superbowl! Emily is an artist with the appetizers.
Facebow transfer - creating a cast that models how your patients teeth come together
This is an abutment. It is how teeth are prepped for a crown
Some drill heads
Learning how to do an oral cancer screening
Just having some fun.
My first cast...
This is workable!
What not to do when taking an impression of your patient
This would have choked my little friend, Danielle, here! ;-)
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