June 8th
Description of daily tasks:
I opened the clinic at 7:30 with the dental assistant and new intern. I opened the blinds, turned on the tvs, and checked off tasks from our morning to-do list. The front desk coordinator called the team into group huddle at 7:45 to talk about goals and how we can continue to improve each week. After huddle, I showed the new intern around and helped them settle in. I emptied the autoclave. I assisted the dental assistant with the first hygiene patient. I loaded the patient’s x rays and was on stand by incase the dental assistant needed anything. I walked the patient to the prize station and up to the front after the appointment. After that, I spent about an hour teaching the new intern about our sterilization area. I explained to them the difference between the ultrasonic and autoclave, which instruments get run, and how to bag instruments. The other intern and I watched Dr. Monica’s procedures throughout the day and assisted the dental assistant. During our break, the other intern and I quizzed each other on tooth numbers and tooth surfaces. We did this for about 20 minutes, as it was good to review before observing more procedures. In the afternoon I assisted with hygiene procedures and made hygiene trays for Wednesday’s patients. I taught the new intern how to make patient trays. I showed the intern how to navigate Curve Hero (dental software) and check medical histories, radiographs, patient notes, and behavior notes. After all the patients left, I began to close down the clinic. Dr. Monica noticed that the ultrasonic was clear instead of blue and asked why. Dr. Monica taught me that the ultrasonic requires a blue liquid every Monday morning when opening clinic. For the rest of the time closing up I followed around the dental assistant asking any questions I may have.
June 9th
Description of daily tasks:
I arrived at 7:30 and began setting up the hygiene and operative trays. I greeted the family, and walked both of their patients back to their chairs. From there, I assisted the dental assistant with X rays by holding the nomad machine, loading the films into the x ray machine, and rotating the X ray images digitally. After the hygiene appointment, I observed 6 and 12 year molar sealants. Dr. Monica quizzed the other intern and I on steps of a sealant procedure, and described the purpose of each step. I also assisted charting the note for the sealant patient. After that, I sterilized equipment, flipped the rooms from dirty to clean, and set up later appointments. I continued to assist with hygiene appointments throughout the day. Around lunchtime, the other intern and I moved tv’s and boxes into storage space next door. We were also instructed by Dr. Monica on how to turn on the nitrous gas bottles when we arrive at the office every morning. The last patient was a new patient so I educated the parent on the importance of flossing and brushing twice a day, various dental procedures, airway health, and proper dietary needs for children. The parent was interested in airway health as they were not familiar with it. I showed them diagrams of the face of the difference of mouth breathing vs nasal breathing. I also explained some procedures that Dr. Monica uses for airway dentistry such as frenectomies. After the patient had their teeth cleaned, Dr. Monica came in educated the parent more about airway health, as the patient presented signs of mouth breathing. Dr. Monica explained how proper sleeping and breathing are pivotal to a child’s focus and energy. After the last patient, I cleaned the hygiene room and created new trays for Friday’s patients. Since the office was newly renovated, Dr. Monica wanted the other intern and I to reorganize the cabinets. We reorganized two different shelves and continued to clean equipment and prepare for Friday. During this time I also discussed with the intern how we both want to create educational videos, flyers, and work on the airway brochure. We plan to set time aside next week after clinic to work on these tasks. To end the day, I moved more objects into the storage room and finished the trays for the patients on Friday.
June 10th
I opened the clinic at 7:30 by turning on the lights, rolling up the blinds, restocking the bathrooms, and emptying the autoclave. I helped set up the chairs for each patient, making sure we were ready for the day. For the first patient I assisted with x rays and observed the hygiene procedure. After that the front desk coordinator asked me if I want to learn how to chart and I said yes. She taught me how to chart and I was able to work on charts for Friday’s patients. This took around an hour since I was getting the hang of charting and since Friday had a packed schedule for me to write. While I was charting I was called in to help with a crown procedure for a patient. My main purpose during this procedure was to calm the patient as they were anxious. I held their hand during the procedure to help calm them down, and to ensure that they weren’t moving during the procedure. The procedure took around an hour and a half. I cleaned the room after and brought all the equipment to the sterilization room. From there, I sterilized the equipment and this took around 30-45 minutes. I helped some more with hygiene patients by being on standby for the dental assistants. At the end of the day I put away the instruments, closed the blinds, turned off the tvs, and made sure that everything was set up for Thursday.
June 11th
Description of daily tasks:
I arrived at 7:30 and opened the blinds, cleaned the playroom, and turned on the tv’s. I began labeling the sterilized instruments from the autoclave as we were called in for the morning group huddle. The front desk coordinator reviewed highs and lows of yesterday’s flow, and talked about how we can best succeed today. She highlighted patient cases to be aware of for the day. When the other intern arrived were both told by one of the dental assistant’s to make educational flyers for the Instagram page. I believe this is a great idea because the idea for the flyers displayed information for preventative care. After that, I helped with the first patient by assisting with x rays. Dr. Monica told me and the other intern that we should start learning how to polish each others teeth. One of the dental assistant’s taught me and the other intern how to polish teeth. This took around an hour and a half since we first had to learn the basic of teeth polishing, and then we both took turns on one another. After that, I helped sterilize instruments, assist with x rays, and clean. I also made patient trays for Monday’s patients so we will be ready by then. After that one of the dental assistants taught me how to run the water lines. I proceeded to do this for all of the chairs. As we were closing, we went into a group huddle as Dr. Monica wanted to discuss some highs and lows from over the week. After the huddle, I cleaned the patient lounge by cleaning the windows, doorknobs, and wiping all the toys. After that, the front desk coordinator asked me if I wanted to learn how to help run the front desk and I said yes. She spent about two hours teaching me about patient phone calls, charting, insurance, etc.
June 12th
Description of daily tasks:
I arrived at 7 am and started by ensuring that all the patient trays were made. I ran the autoclave and greeted one of the other interns. Since they weren’t here this week, I filled them in on the schedule for today and any information that they missed while they were out. I set up all of the rooms and began to make more patient trays. Throughout the day, I helped with x rays for hygiene patients. It is interesting being able to load the x rays and watch the image form. One of the dental assistants taught me what makes a “good x ray” as it is vital to have the best x rays pulled up for the doctor when they arrive. I helped the dental assistants in hygiene the majority of the morning. Later on I helped Dr. Monica with an sdf application, which she reminded me that anyone over the age of 12 requires two drops of fluoride. Later in the day I observed a sealants operation and took note on the steps of the procedure. I was helped the assistant by grabbing tools she needed and it was neat being able to learn each step. I had the responsibility of talking to the parent at the end of the procedure so I explained to them post-sealant care and how it is normal if the patient feels that their bite is slightly higher. After that, I walked the patient up to the front and then cleaned the room. I sterilized the equipment and began getting ready for next week’s patients. I finished the day by taking the trash out and we all took a team photo because it was “crazy hat day.” As I was walking out of clinic Dr. Monica asked me to send her 10 things I have learned during my internship, so she can gage what I have learned so far, and how I can make the most out of my internship. I also asked her some dental related questions that I have accumulated and she answered my questions throughly.
Competency 3.2: Deliver health education and promotion interventions.
3.2.1: Create an environment conducive to learning.
3.2.4: Deliver health education and promotion as designed.
Summary: This week, I was able to educate a new patient’s parent about proper oral hygiene and airway dentistry. I led the educational talk in a quiet setting and walked the patient through our new patient binder. The binder has educational images which made the talk more effective, as the parent was able to see the difference between mouth breathing and nasal breathing. The parent was interested in airway dentistry so I educated them about the kinds of airway procedures Dr. Monica offers. It was empowering being able to educate a parent and have the parent excited to learn.
Competency 7.2: Prepare others to provide health education and promotion.
7.2.5: Implement training
Summary: This week, a new intern joined the team who has had no prior dental experience. I have had the opportunity to teach them about dentistry and how they can educate others about dentistry. For instance, I taught them how the ultrasonic and autoclave works, purposes of dental instruments, and how to take x rays. I also reviewed teeth surfaces and sealants steps with them, making their time in dentistry easier to grasp. I also reviewed the new patient educational talk with them so they can hopefully begin educating parents about airway health and oral hygiene. I also have discussed with the other intern to make airway health flyers together which will be great education and promotion work.
Weekly Reflection:
This week was challenging, however, I have gained valuable information from it. Since schools are out now, the daily schedule is busier which makes it more difficult to balance daily tasks. One challenge I had this week was knowing what to prioritize. For instance, having four patients in at the same time, a backed up sterilization room, front desk questions, and miscellaneous tasks from staff can be hard to balance simultaneously. I had to make quick decisions this week of who and what to prioritize which was challenging, although it will make me a better worker in the future. Additionally, these challenges prepare me how it is always best to prioritize patients, as front desk tasks and dirty instruments can wait. Patients are your number one priority. One strength I had this week was being confident and efficient at my daily tasks. For instance, the front desk coordinator told me that she is going to start teaching me things about health policy and financial information since I seem confident in sterilization and with patients. This was encouraging to hear since it means that staff members can tell I am doing a good job, and that they would sacrifice their time teaching me. I am eager to continue learning more about dentistry and I am grateful that I have the opportunity to learn more each week.
Week 6
June 16th
I arrived at 7:30 and helped the dental assistant set up all the trays. We had group huddle at 7:45 and went over strengths and weaknesses from the day before. After huddle I met with the two other interns and divided our tasks for the morning. I set up the hygiene chairs and assisted the assistant with the patients. This consisted of helping with x rays, fluoride varnish, and relaying any information to the team. At around 9 am the longest-tenured intern lectured me and the other intern on information we should know before this intern leaves for the summer. During this time the intern quizzed us on the purpose and steps of sealants, extractions, fillings. I took notes during this time, as their knowledge and guidance is extremely helpful. Throughout the morning, I spent most of my time rotating between the sterilization room and hygiene room. I needed to make sure that the instruments were being run and that the operative procedures were going smoothly. During a short break, Dr. Monica quizzed us about various dental tasks and facts. This included quizzing us about when you should take a PANO on a child, how to set up an extraction, how to perform monthly maintenance on the autoclave, and the purpose of SDF. For the rest of the day, I helped the hygiene assistants. One thing I learned in the afternoon is the difference between a good and a bad x ray. A good x ray shows open contacts while a bad x ray has closed contacts. One of the assistants kept taking the x rays with closed contacts, so it was interesting being able to watch how the angle of the nomad (x ray machine) impacts the quality of the x ray image. By the end of the day, I cleaned all the rooms, sterilized all the equipment, and made trays for Thursday’s patients.
June 17th
I arrived at 7:30 and opened the blinds, turned on the tv’s, and unloaded the autoclave. After that I went around the office and swept and dusted before any patients arrived. The first patient was a filling procedure using a laser which was very interesting. I observed the procedure and helped calm the patient. The procedure took around 45 minutes. After the procedure, Dr. Monica taught me several tips regarding sterilization. She helped teach me ways to sterilize more efficiently, and showed me new ways to sanitize instruments. After her instructions I proceeded to sterilize and clean the room the way she preferred. While I was cleaning, I would periodically help the assistant with the second procedure, which was also a filling using the laser. When the second patient was done, Dr. Monica gave me several tasks to do. These tasks included reorganizing and cleaning objects in the operative rooms, and packing up objects to bring to the other office. Dr. Monica also spent this time quizzing me on instruments used for fillings. She explained each instrument to me and its purpose if I was not familiar with it. Before I started any other tasks, I went into the break room and typed out everything I was told and learned so far so I can share my knowledge with the other intern who wasn’t there. After that, I sterilized all the equipment and ran the autoclave and ultrasonic. I bagged sterilization instruments and put them away. Later in the day, I set up three different SDF trays. During this time I was jumping around helping anyone who needed it and efficiently ran sterilization. This included helping with a 6 year sealants procedure, watching patient’s siblings, and helping the front desk. Once patients started to dwindle, I began working on patient trays. I went through all of the patient’s for Friday, and looked at their medical histories, charts, and notes. After I completed the trays and set up all the rooms I went outside and got the mail. I came back and continued to shut down the office. Dr. Monica ended the day by giving the team a lecture on x ray tips. Dr. Monica taught the team how to angle the x ray machine to the mouth, depending on which teeth you want to target. She used me as an example of how to angle the machine to a patient’s mouth.
June 18th
I arrived at 7:30 and helped the dental assistant set up the hygiene area. I unloaded the autoclave and put away instruments. I also went through the schedule for the day with the other intern to ensure we understand the work flow. We went into huddle at 7:45 and went over strengths and weaknesses, how to prepare for the day, and any cases to watch out for. After huddle I continued setting up for the day by ensuring all the procedures had the correct instruments and set up. At around 9:30, the front desk coordinator asked me to make tracking sheets for Friday. It took me around 30 minutes to make all the tracking sheets. I had to go through past notes, radiographs, and medical histories to make the tracking sheets. I also had to email and text any missing forms to the guardian of the child. After I finished the tracking sheets, I helped with a hygiene appointment. I put the x ray gown on the patient and helped take x rays by holding the nomad machine and loading the x rays films into the computer. Dr. Monica taught us how good x rays have open contacts, which means that there are black spaces between the teeth. If there are closed contacts in an x ray, the dentist will not be able to see whether there are cavities or not. Dr. Monica also taught us how to look at bite wings and know which side of the face you are looking at. For instance, bite wings on the right side of your face will show your molars on the left side of the image, vice versa. The next patient was an operative filling procedure. I helped the assistant set up the room and grabbed any instruments she may need during the procedure. I stood in the room during the procedure to help with any questions the child or parent may have. After the procedure, I sterilized the room and put all of the instruments in the ultrasonic. We ended the day with a lunch and learn talk from a Pulp Dent representative. It was fascinating learning about bonding and sealant material that is more efficient, durable, and long lasting. I also learned that many of the composites used in dentistry contain plastics, but many companies are switching over to other material such as glass particles that do not release micro plastics. It was also interesting to hear about the purpose of Lime Lite, as I have seen it at other dental offices before my internship, but have never heard anyone teach about it. After the lunch and learn I closed down the clinic. I bagged the instruments and put them in the autoclave to run. I made trays for Monday’s patients and set up all the chairs.
Kate Brown 