Competency

I am very happy that I passed my first competency mirror, explorer, and probe. I am now able to identify the working ends on the 11/12 explorer. Our next competency is on Friday, we will be working on all scalers. So far to prepare for the competency, I have been working on a typhodont and trying to identify the lower cutting edges on the instrument. After, practice in clinic I feel pretty good about the use of the area specific gracey, universal, and sickle scalers. I hope I can pass this competency on the first try. I feel as if every time we have a competency I get very nervous and end up making a goofy mistake. I need to remember to take my time, look at the working area, make sure I have the correct working/cutting end, and remember the correct patient positioning. Overall, if I remember these things I think I will do well. I will keep you updated on how the competency goes.

Overwhelming

Lately, this course has been overwhelming. I feel like we are just getting tons of information thrown at us. All the exams happen to fall on the same day, one after another, they continue to roll in. On a brighter note, I finally feel confident in using the 11/12 explorer. My trouble's started with finding the correct working end. But with extra clinic time, and more practice I feel very confident and I am ready to retest for my competency. We are curently working on sickle scalers, and curets. I do not feel comfortable with these instruments. There are many of them, and so many cutting edges. But in time, I believe like the explorer, I will begin to feel more comfortable and confident. With time, practice, and effort we will get through this course.