What do you mean by that?

2008-04-23T23:28:00.000-07:00

Last blog! People really don't need to know about me pesonally through this blog. Any information placed in a public foremat is too much intervention in my personal life. It's far too intrusive in an age of identity theft. No pictures of family and friends, no addresses, past history, future plans. Big Brother is coming sooner than we think (although he missed his 1984 deadline).

Other than that; I had two good days at the VA. Finished the last PEs, my last class 4 quads and my curretage PEs for California.

2008-04-15T15:52:00.000-07:00

This was my simulation day. My first patint was a tissue eval. Looked good, probes are fine with some improvement. Second didn't show. He was also a tissue eval. Third was my son Jake for the ol' spit test. Afternoon was two screenngs for board exams. Neither one showed promise.

2008-04-07T22:58:00.000-07:00

Unbelieveable. I have found a new board patient out of shear luck.

Friday at 6 pm I found out my board patient moved to Chicago.
Friday night and Saturday morning I prepared flyers to advertise for a patient. If I find one I'm going to make them an offer they can't refuse.
Saturday- 2,000 flyers on the windshields of cars at the Ogden Walmart. Good response 7 calls that day.
My WREB exan notification comes in the mail. Friday, 9 May, 8am. My heart sinks.
Sunday - 2,000 flyers on the windshields of cars at the Riverdale Walmart, Target, Sams and Home Depot. A few more calls including one from the manager of Walmart. What-a-ya mean I cant do that? Too late the flyers are already on the cars.
Monday morning. Came into class early to change my mockboard time from 8am to 12:30pm. I need the time to possibly find a patient.
Called my screening patients and have a 1:30 and a 2:30 patient.
Lilly was too busy to help me with calling a Spanish speaking patient.
Looked to a couple of no shows that I though might work out.
Called Melissa Underwood and left message about using her as a possible board patient. Made an offer of $300 (about $100 per hour) if she qualified and I would pay for all the tx.
She called me back and said that she could make it in at 12:30 for the screening.
SHE QUALIFIES!!! I take a great set of xrays.
I ask if she can make it into the clinic Tuesday at 8am for mockboard. She says she has to work but can make it in later in the day. "Will 12:30 be OK?"
Merideth says someone is looking out after me. My agnostic self is leaning in that direction.
My patient agrees to keep the payment quiet. I know everyone is trying to get by with cheap. However, this is like NASA sending Armstrong, Aldren and Collins to the moon and then deciding not to spend the extra 50 bucks for the gas to land them. I don't care what it takes, I'm not letting this patient slip through my fingers. Besides, I was going to pay Rigoberto more because I was paying for his dental restorations.

2008-04-04T19:32:00.000-07:00

Arrrrgh! RIGOBERTO HAS MOVED TO CHICAGO!!!! i NEED A BOARD PATIENT NOW!

2008-04-01T16:03:00.000-07:00

OK day, two easy 1Bs, but they were new patients and I got another Pano out of the deal. My advertisements for patients is paying off. I have not Rigoberto this week. Maybe he's too busy. I'll keep calling because MB is just a week away and I would like eto get a few new xrays.

2008-03-04T20:23:00.000-08:00

I little incidental curretage today on Patricio. It was to be expected as he has a lingual abscess. Great experience though as I may be moving to California and curretage is required there. My second patient came in a little late, but I finished him up.

2008-03-04T19:45:00.000-08:00

Two easy patients today although I had four scheduled. Why all the no shows this semester? Lots happening soon and I'm looking forward to the spring break although I know I will only be studying for the LA exam.

2008-02-26T18:52:00.000-08:00

Too quiet and too many no shows. Possibly due to the weather.

2008-02-20T22:39:00.000-08:00

Productive day at the VA, NO2, LA and 8 more quads.

2008-02-19T22:34:00.000-08:00

Diana Hadley was back for the third time. It's noce to have repeat patients which bodes good thing for the future. She was an easy class V patient. As fo rthe rest of the day it was a bust. Too many no shows and I'm going to drop a few of these patients. Two no-shows by the same person...not again.

2008-02-12T19:34:00.000-08:00

1/30/08 Not too productive today. One Quad and I had to fight for a four on that one. Nothing other than that. It was way too quiete.

2008-02-06T19:40:00.000-08:00

2/6/08 VA today was more productive. I got 3 threes and 2 fours and actually got a chuckle out of a man who's wife said he hadn't laughed in months. This week will be busy with sealant screenings, clininic and GKAS on Saaturday.

2008-02-05T19:36:00.000-08:00

2/5/08 I had patients show up today on time. Fairly productive day with a class three and a 1B,
I need to get going on my organization. I don't have an idea (other than everything) of what I need.

2008-01-29T21:52:00.001-08:00

1/29/08
My class 4 showed up at 9:15 so I didn't get going on him until 9:30. I definately could have used the additional 1 and 1/2 hour. I did ok though and managed to do an IA, Mental, Long Buccal and ASA on him. Sarah did the PSA. Still he didn't get numb on the anteriors as much as would have liked. Perhaps a PDL infiltration would do better next time. I'll ask.

My afternoon patient was to be Robert Garr but he couldn't make it. Instead, his sister had her husband come in in his place. I told her this was an important part of my grade so she brought a substitute. A 1B, but that's ok. Another set of bwxs. People who aren't using digital should usse the other rooms too. However, they too arrived after one and had to leave before 2:20. I could have made thais my production day to screen a few people.

2008-01-23T21:32:00.000-08:00

1/23/08
Fair day at the VA. One class 2 which surprised me because to look at his tissues initially you wouldn't think that there would be furcations or bone loss. I took Bwxs and a total of 9 pas plus I got a LA anesthesia from another patient.

2008-01-22T21:25:00.000-08:00

1/22/08,
Finally a full day of new patients. The am patient was a class 4 and I took 14 pas and a set of bwx. Just an assessment done today and a reappointment for the 29th. He looks to be challenging and I am planning LA on him. I hope to be able to share the LA experience with other classmates as I know i can't claim more than one per patient.

the pm patient was a class 5 so that's ok. A requirement is a requirement. I did take 14 pas and a set of bwx do that wasn't too bad. Paperwork seems to be getting better, just wish my hand writting was too. Chicken scratches; maybe a better pen...yeah, that's the ticket.

2008-01-16T21:22:00.000-08:00

1/16/08,
Made it to the VA today. Most of our patients cancelled...go figure? I did get a class 5, a 2 sets of bwx and a LA out of the deal so all wasn't lost. Actuall, I did pretty good.

2008-01-15T21:16:00.000-08:00

15 Jan 08,
I planned to have two patients this am and one in the afternoon; my production day. Again, I gave one away and had a no show in the afternoon. My cards and posters are starting to work though as I am starting to fill in the appointments. My 1A requirement is don as is my Pano. Talked to my board patient and told him about Freb 5th mockboard. He's ready.

2008-01-09T21:13:00.000-08:00

9 Jan 08,
This was going to be the first day at the VA, however, Mother Nature felt I needed some more time off. I was still in Ogden when I got the call that Prof Hansen called it off. Cest La Vie.

2008-01-08T20:52:00.000-08:00

Jan 8th, 2008
Ok so this begins the final countdown for graduation...finally. Patients have been hadr to get even though I have put my posters and cards in stores, YCC, library, Mid-town, health clinic, assisted care places. Mayby its because of the holidays. Todays patient (I had 1 no show) was JoJo Aburahma. Easy 1A patient. I had scheduled his sister too, but there were so many no shows for my classmates that I felt guilty keeping these two easy ones. I may regret it later.

2007-11-29T17:51:00.000-08:00

Stupid Blog!
Everytime I try to get into my blog I have to enter a new password or it says my e-mail is wrong. Go figure. Yesterday, no one fainted at the VA and now I'm way over on my requirements except for three that I need for PE's. I'll do what I can to compete them next week as todays patient's were all kids. Boy what fun; rug rats, curtain climbers, small annoyances. My son outgrew the backseat of my Porsche so I had to sell it. The promissed Mustang never materialized. See where I'm coming from? I'm not real fond of kids, but it is part of the job. I did study up a little on tooth eruption dates though. Megan the eight yearold was as well as her sister Alexis were textbook right on time. Megan was missing her thirds. Afternoon I had another 8 year old with a bit more calculus. Amazing how much they can build up at such a young age. Pretty productive two days however with a gain of 22 quads.

2007-11-15T20:50:00.000-08:00

I've had two very good days with three patients at the Va and two at WSU. Everyone showed up as expected for a change. I'm looking forward to finishing all my requirements and my neighbors kids are on my ist to see at 8 am on the 29th. I also had another experience with anesthesia so that make three witht the two from the VA . I like it! Caused a little tissue damage onone patient. I was in a bit of a hurry and need to watch my angulation. Other than that all is well. Two more VAdays and Two more WSU days.

Pretty fruitful day

2007-11-08T21:30:00.000-08:00

Morning was ok, seemed more like busy work and something that we should have gone over long brfor this. Why don't we practice more of this in additional clinics? A practical application/learning experience would be beneficial. The afternoon patient I have has been a good experience for me having done just one quad at a time. I hope to do the last two quads this next appointment and finish him up. I guess I will be able to do the anesthesia on him at that time. He returns next week.

Mockboard day

2007-11-01T19:31:00.000-07:00

I wasn't sure how I might do, but in the end I did prety good. Scored 82% with a bit of confusion on the paperwork. I can see that I need to use my loops when checking the probe depths and rexamine my ability to see and record recession. I left three spots of calculus on the distals of 1/2/3 even though I really went to town on them. I just didn't go deep enough on 1 and on 2 and 3 I did not adapt the scaler far enough interproximately to make contact. Timewise I was ok as I was very agressive with the ultra sonic and large ridged scalers. Didn't use the Nebraska and Mt. Jack very much as the calc was substantial and those light instruments wouldn't do the job. I'm sorry I wasn't of much use with Sarah's digital x-rays. I havn't asked her how she scored. I also checked her patient and it was pretty difficult to say if there was calc or not. Dr, Naylor and I did agree on a couple of spots though.

This blog is reedikalus!

2007-10-25T22:26:00.000-07:00

I no longer can access this site from school so I'll do all my bloging from home. Thursday the 25th was a a better than usual day. Patricio showed up slightly late (made me nervous for another no show) and I was eager to start on him. I only wish I could do the anesthesia on the lower quads where I needed to start. Prof. Alexander did the anesthesia on him.
I managed to do a fairly good job of cleaning some deep pockets (6+) and only two spots were found at the scale check. Prof. Alexander's tips on reaching these areas was very helpful. I need to start using my loops to see these deposits better (my eyes are not what they used to be).
Consulting with our Midtown Dentist, it was decided to do endo on #25 as it was sensitive to la frio y caliente. We still placed Arestin (minoclcline; I will not forget) 23-26 and passed off the PE (I think?). It is so easy to do and I look forward to seeing the probing results in a few weeks.
My second patient was a 1B but I still needed one so no problem. She arrived 15 minutes late and after spening an inordinate amouont of time with the preliminaries and probing she anounced that she need to be in Layton BY 3 Pm and would that be a problem. We still took x-rays and then got started right at 2 pm. I think I work best under pressure as Prof Costly couldn't find any calc at the check. I was a bit more agressive with the ultra, especially on the lower anteriors and upper buccal molar area reducing my need to do agressive hand scaling. Practing on my grasp; I'm still too heavy with my explorer. Passed off the accessory fulcrum PE on her. I managed to get all the scaling, polishing and fluoride done in 45 minutes. Need to expidite the paper work.

Too easy

2007-10-18T19:04:00.000-07:00

Dennis winters was an easy 1b no real problems here. I get to talking and forget the time and I could be doing a pe or two. All my patients from here on are going to be exams so I should get the requiremens done soon.

Overbook.com

2007-10-11T22:50:00.000-07:00

Today I had both Carolyn and Kerry Manning come in for morning appointments. I thought that two class 5's couldn't be that difficult. Mr. Mannings heallth history was a mile long with at least 8 meds to look up and several more listed on the HHX from before that he no longer used. Couldn't just copy the HHX info from before. Dena's patient noshowed so she took Mrs. Manning. I passed off my ultasonic PE.

In the afternoon my second patient who was coming in for a pano and 4 pa's of her 3rds cancelled. She said she was able to get into Midtown on Tuesday the 9th although I did not see an entry in her chart. My regular afternoon patient was a class three with a perio abcess on # 25. We anesthitized him with a IA block? and by infiltration around the suspect tooth after Dr. Hopkins set the treatment. It was really interesting with the cleaning out of the pocket. Lots of purulence and a bit of curettage taking place as well. I also experienced a 12 mm pocket that was confirmed by Prof. Alexander. Like the energizer bunny; it keeps going and going and going.... Patient left with peridex to keep the debris out of the pockets and upon his return on the 25th I'll start with a quad at a time until done.

A Day Of No Shows

2007-10-04T18:26:00.000-07:00

Well this has got to be a record...Three no shows. I did walk to the library and make a total nusiance of myself among the patrons there, so it wasn't a total waste. I thought that the math lab might be a good hunting ground for potential patients; no one there at all. Criused through the Shepard Building and bothered two girls eating breakfast. "You wanna sit in a dental chair for two hours while I clean your teeth?" Or something to that effect. "I'm taking names for future patients". Another girl said she would love to have her teeth cleaned and had time right then and there. She left to get her checkbook from her car and I never saw her again. Buyers remorse. I'm going to overbook as much as possible from here on. Even if it's just for x-rays.

What a feasco

2007-09-27T15:01:00.000-07:00

I did not like today, not one bit. I finall had a chance to put a class 2/3 away. but Nooooooo. I leftf too much calculus behind. Of course it may have been that she was a bit sensitive (which didn't help. I need to get more accurate, faster, and neater.

On the bright side I had a great pa with problems on it and I was able to actually see them. Practicing each night with my case study book is helping; I think?

I scheduled two class V's for the am of 10/11. See if I can pull that one off.

Afternoon bust

2007-09-20T13:32:00.000-07:00

Mrs. hansen showed up as scheduled and I place the Arestin for her. A new experience and easier than I though it would be. I'll do the pe the next time around. My second appointment of the day was a no show and crusin' through the building got me zilch! So no I take a page out of Mao's Little Red book and "We must redouble our efforts" I have a day with a teenager coming up. Perhaps I could stick another patient in after him. Might could if the exam goes well. I'll cal him to get his age.

First day at VA

2007-09-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday went well for my first day at the VA. I like the computer system anda the workinig atmosphere. Most of what i did was assist with some of the harder patients. I was going to observe the denatl lab people for my dental materials class , but really did not have the time to do so. My rotations there actually begiin on the 16th so I chomping at the bit to get there.

Good day

2007-09-13T14:13:00.000-07:00

HOw come every time I try to access this blog my password gets disremembered? I have entered again and have taken note of it.

Better afternoon than morning. Don't know why, but afternoon patient was just smoother although I am still forgetting too much. I need to use my patienit note better to get a routine down. Also need to do the PE's starting SOOOOON! Gotta' hone in on some of the big words too. Not that I don't know them, I just forget to use them at the appropriate time. Next week is Rigoberto day...a possible board patient. I have new flyers to put out and that should take the heat off me for patients. My patient notes have helped me with the paperwork. All I need to do is add to them and then USE THEM!

Well i shoulda' asked...didn't I?

2007-09-06T14:50:00.001-07:00

This am's appointment didn't go well. She assured me yesterday that she had her diabetes under control with meds. She had no idea what meds she was on and had neglected to mention her HBP! 177/82 (i took it three time over 20 minutes to be sure) I refered her to her physician at Midtown clinic and will hive a follow-up call tomorrow to see if she has talked to him. Did a BGTest so I'm ready for the next time. Should have declared my first class five exam (stupid of me not to). Gotta' look over all the PEs and organize them. Same with exams. On the brighter side, my spanish translater worked well (although it it odd going back to english, "the dye of revelation).

2007-08-30T14:53:00.000-07:00

First day hooray! Can't wait to really get started. First pe is done and I need to go to the bookstore to get the others. All in all, not a bad day.

Wooooowheeee!

2007-04-23T14:49:00.000-07:00

Today I finished my last two PE's. What an accomplishment! Gregg Jorgansen was my patient today; a class V, so I did the PSR and Air Poilish on him. Nice guy; a teacher of teachers who says kids are still interested in teaching as a profession. I hope he'll come back to me next fall.
I wish the air polisher was more convienent to use. It's pretty messy, but not as bad as last time. I used the ultra sonic and mini gracies (after 5's I believe.) and they were excellent. Even my paperwork was good today.

4/18/07

2007-04-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

Clinic assistant today and it's too easy. Classmates still have too many no shows. Meridith needs a class 3 and I remembered Rafael Hernandez. Amie was going to use him as a board patient, but I here she may have someone else. I hope meridith can use him to get her last 2 class 3 quads. Too quieti for me and this day is dragging on.

4/16/07

2007-04-18T08:32:00.000-07:00

Well happy b'day to me! Whoo-hoo! I finsished my last requirement and have just two PE's to go. Not too shabby. Best news of the day was the scholarship...wow! how'd that happen? It will come in handy with boks and materials next fall. Just a couple of weeks to go and two more patients.

Productive day

2007-04-09T15:43:00.000-07:00

Much as hated having family as patients (family didn't get a deal on rooms at the hotel either) I had to give in and take a dmx on Cecile. Even the pedo sensor was too small and I know I'll get docked for some of the shots, but let the chip fall where they might, I don't think they can get much better. Jacob's pano turned out great and he was very patiemt in the chair. His teeth arem't as bad as I thouhgt they would be. 9 more sealants for a total of 16. I hope he knows what expense we are going through for him. Passed 3 PE's off today so I am getting close to the end...thankfully! Two class two quads left to fullfil the minimum requirements and still two unfilled appointments. It's tempting to call in a sick day, but I've never done that in my life...what wouls it be like? Naaawww, not gonna' so that. It'll blemish my superman image.

Somedays are diamonds, somedays are rust...

2007-04-06T20:16:00.000-07:00

This one was covered with rust as deep as the Titanic's. just when I think I'm getting the hang of doing the paperwork right, something comes along to screw me up. Now I have another porject when I can barely find time for the others. I just need to slow down and complete the work as I go. I know where I went wrong however and can rectify the problem. I need only plan ahead for certain contingencies.

I have always gotten by on the generosity of others

2007-03-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

Ok Blanche...today was good. another requirement closer to being done. 8 y o luis pineda was very cooperative even with the retakes on the xrays. Kids are different though. i haven't much experience with them and figuring the primary teeth from permanent was interesting. Need to do more PEs.

Feb 28, 2007

2007-03-04T11:07:00.000-08:00

Another cancelation (imagine that) Laura Browne, was to be my full-mouth x-ray patient had to cancel as she was laid off at work and can't afford it. Too bad as she sounded like she was in pain from her teeth as we spoke. Hey if I could help out I would, but I'm not going to be paying for patients anytime soon. Tyler Vallette is already into me for 14 bucks and he's only half way done.
Anyway, I was able to get Forrest Sweitzer off the resource list. He is a Marine on leave from Iraq who wanted to get his teeth cleaned before he goes back to Iraq next week. He said that the Navy hygienist was backed up about a year in appointments. Forrest was a 1B so I was able to finish him entirely (except retaking the two premolar xray shots, but then with someone as healthy as he seemed, perhaps there is no need to retake if you see most of what you need. Regardless, I need to practice on getting the film further forward on those shots even if it is uncomfortable for the patient ( love #3 film, why isn't it used more often?). So hey! four more quads of 1b down, just 14 to go.

Heeerrrrs Norma!

2007-03-04T10:55:00.000-08:00

I have been anticipatuing this patient's arrival for sometime. She is my first Spanish speaking onlt patient and I have pondered on how I might converse with her without Lillie's help (she can't be there all the time). I found a good web site that translates english to espanol (and alot of other languages) I managed to quickly put together a powerpoint OHI show and brought in my lap top. Lilly helped me tweek the show (technical language that doesn't translate well) and I was off to the races. The powerpoint went well as did using the translator, but my probing/scaling technique was way off and I couldn't seem to get anything right. She is a class three and I think I still feel rushed to get it done fast rather than right. Once I get the minimum requirements done I will then feel that I can ask for one on one help with my technique. Anyway, Norma (bless her heart) is rescheduled for 3/28 and may need anesthesia for completion.

Feb 21 2007

2007-03-04T10:49:00.000-08:00

Hey! Another no show...the story of my life...but I got a guy off the resource list right away...well a 9 am start time again. I managed to do the xrays, I/E oral, probing and OHI. Not much else. His wife is very ill (terminal) so he's not sure about making his appointment day to day. I told him we will do what we can and I have set him up for next week.

2/18/07

2007-03-04T10:41:00.000-08:00

Well as usual my patient decided to cancel out at the last moment. Isn't there a better way to get them to keep appointments? Hotels have last minute cancellation fees, so why not dental hygienists? I was able to see Ashley though. She is a four year old who has never been to the dentist and unfortunately it shows. I was able to chart her very evident bottle caries and a couple more on B and H. This was a classic textbook example of bottle caries. I wasn't able to convince her to let me do much more than look, chart and brush her teeth. I'm hoping that this will still count as a 1A patient for me. Julie Hemsley wasn't sure.

Ultra sonic

2007-02-14T09:55:00.000-08:00

Seems easy enough as I have used one before. It's interesting to see that the techniique hasn't changed much. I'm looking forward to using it on my class two and three patients this month.

First child

2007-02-12T14:21:00.000-08:00

Today's patient cancelled, but I was able to get Ashley Medina in as a patient. She is 4 years old and pretty aprehensive about being here. I wasn't able to do much so it was just another almost lost day. I did a sealant on Ben Baker (Meridith's patient) so did complete something.

First class 1b patient

2007-02-07T10:30:00.000-08:00

What a pleasureable day I had with my patient. 14 year old Taylor was perfect to have in the chair. I was able to complete everythin by 1035 and even got through more of the paperwork on my own. A couple more and I'll have it. Instrumentation was easier and I onl missed two places. I do need to sharpen my instruments though.

Mondays...

2007-02-05T15:02:00.000-08:00

I seem to be spinning my wheels, but I must redouble my efforts...again. I need to see where I'm loosing time and not moving ahaead as I should.

Good trade.....

2007-01-24T09:40:00.000-08:00

Today my patient, Rafael was on time and I was able to get started on my class three patient. After scaling for about 30 minutes Prof. McConoughy thought that Rafael might make a wonderful board patient for Ammie. There were 12 spots of calculus on the lower right and several spots on the lower left, so... I told Rafael that he won the lottery and will be a paid board patient in May. Ammie said she would watch for any more class threes for me so I won't be out the quads i need. I still have a few of the mechanics at the shop and my neighbors to check with.

I'm baaacck...

2007-01-08T14:57:00.000-08:00

I liked using the gracies especially the minis. I'm a;\ll set for the Wednesday patrient, just need to call him this evening to confirm his appointment again. Everyone is slow to go, but deep down pretty much ready to go for the semester. Fulcrums: What I get from thius is that there are quite a few and they can help in reaching difficult places and hard attached calc. but in the end, do what feels good and gets the job done.

1st patient follow up

2006-12-01T12:06:00.000-08:00

It was suggested that I plan a tissue check follow-up with Cassidy Cooper for January. I will be sending her a date as soon as I find out when that will be possible. I'll send a note to Cassidy to keep brushing, flossing and using the water pick around those braces. It's the least I can do for someone who wants to also be a dental hygienist.

Air powder polish

2006-12-01T11:58:00.000-08:00

I have time to reflect on its use now that I have used it for a third time. It does have its uses although not in every day general cleanings. It is time consuming to set up and uncomforatable for the patiens. But when it comes to getting around braces it is unquestionably the best. I would not have thought about it had Prof. Costley not suggested its uses. I'm glad she did and it will always be an option for the good of my patients.

Sealants

2006-12-01T11:47:00.000-08:00

I'm not convinced yet of the safety of sealants on teeth. If you're etching the tooth with acid aren't you doiing irrepairable damage to the enamel tubules. If that enamel is destroyed in the process, filled with epoxy and then the epoxy wears thin or completely away; doesn't that leave the tooth open for decay if the tooth is not resealed? I want to investigate this further and will perhaps change mt table clinic to this subject pending my findings.

It's Friday

2006-12-01T11:06:00.000-08:00

Clinics have gone well for the most part and reflecting back I probably should have read more of the clinic manual before class. It's just that clinic has seemed to be a bit confusing with one person doing it this way and others doing it another. It almost seemed like I was winging it too often. Oh well, we're almost to the end and there's always next semester.

This is why I'm here

2006-11-29T22:59:00.000-08:00

My son has outgrown another winter coat, so rather than buy him another, I gave him my favorite ski jacket. It was a gift from my ex-boss from Grand Targhee Ski Resort, Susie Barnett-Bushong (Bennett, Baker, Bonehead, as one of my memos to her said). I was cleaning out a pocket of the coat when I ran across a series of notes obviously written in response to a run in with the hotel's sales manager and sent to the owner. It went like this: Jan 22, 2001:

Tonight Dr. Sperling is P****D. He called Weakland a D**kh**d as Weakland has made no attempt to replace the broken overhead prjector. Night clerk called me and I called friends at Wort Hotel and borrowed their overhead. By the time I got to the hotel, Weakland was interfering with reservations; moving people out of room styles that were confirmed in writting to them. We will lose all disputes with Best Western and lose money because of this (could amount to 10G +) A couple of the rates were misquoted by my clerks, but I stand by these quotes as they are my responsibility (dock my bonus). Weakland's idea of boostiing occupancy is $50 rates for bands from the Mangy Moose Saloon. He gives comp rooms that I can't account for and all it says ont he res is Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Weakland needs to do his job, not mine. He's been fighting me over this tape board vs computer res. control for 6 months. Suddenly the computer is a great idea and has told you it's his idea. Well...it was mine from the beginning he's just taking the credit for it to impress you. Get him out of the Inn and send him to the Lodge in town. With summer coming the Lodge will be busier anyway. I can handle the Inn. I've worked 6 days a week for two months and now I'm here on Sunday night (my only day off). Does it stop, or do I walk?

Well that's the way it was in the old days of hotel work. Maybe I'll get to the day of infamy, 12/12/01, two weeks before I walked out of the hotel for good.

First Patient Day

2006-11-29T22:54:00.000-08:00

Well I consider this to be a pretty good day. Cassidy was my patient. She is 14 years old and has a set of wall to wall braces which i wasn't expecting. There was plaque just about everywhere so it seemed ok not to disclose although i was called for not doing so. I'll be settig a second appointmneet for a tissue check and disclose at that time in January. Other than that, I probably did ok but could leqrn to smooth over the rough spots LIKE THE PAPERWORK!

Hello Blog

2006-11-27T14:41:00.000-08:00

Well I made it through the last mock patient day and COMPLETED MY LAST PE!!!! That in itself feels like an accomplishment of great magnitude. It feel good to have then out of the way for this semester. Brittany did a great job on my teeth, even got that ancient calulus that's been hanging around forever. My left index finger hurts (car hood was slammed on it at the Las Vegas auto show). Hope it gets better by Wednesday.

hello blog

2006-11-13T14:38:00.000-08:00

Well here I am again, polisdhing and passing another PE. Not really that difficult, I think Prof. Costley is too easy on me. Maybe it's a confidence booster.
The taste of salt brought back memoroes to sailing the Pacific. But that was more pleasant than the stinging sensation. That's all.

2006-11-08T10:12:00.000-08:00

Hummm...didn't want to go too far in sharpening my new instruments. I have never cared for the Arkansas stone method. I'mgoing to try to find a whittler which I think is better, faster and less hassel. Maybe a knife shop or on line.

2006-11-06T14:58:00.000-08:00

How interesting today was. I'm glad that it wasn't too difficult as I'm dead tired. Just 6 more hours to go until math is over and I can come home and study for the anatomy test, community health and dental hygiene. I better sleep tonight! Maybe a sleeping pill will do the trick.

I did have a good laugh with the prophy paste and fluoride though.

Boo

2006-10-30T15:01:00.001-08:00

Same thing today except passed two PEs off. Wednesday I'll take the pictures and stay a week ahead on the PEs. Happy Halloween!

2006-10-23T15:04:00.000-07:00

It was picture day and I didn't wear anything special. Sure beats the old Minolta 35mm with the macro lens. he camera shakes too much (couldn't be me). I as able to do my first interview for my ethics paper while scaling today. Easy stuff not too difficult.

Passed another PE with a "Great Job", "Good detail". I was always good at charting...liked to see how detailed I could get to impress the Navy Docs.

2006-10-16T14:48:00.001-07:00

Interesting day. Passed off the exploring PE...boy they're generous. First time scaling in...years...awhile. Need to get more comfortable with it again. I mean it was second nature for me back in the day...ya' know what i mean? Seriously though, I do have my doubts at times, but then I think too that when this is done and I'm working, it will all have been worth it and all those fellow workers I left behind in the hotel bidness will still be there, dreaming their dreams.

2006-10-11T10:37:00.000-07:00

slow to start but fairly productive. I have experimented with the electric brush and found that slowing it down and taking my time will improve my pfi score dramatally. You can also see that bacteria acculates rapidy time wise. Monday's score was only 61 and there was only 6 hours (and a soda) between the brushing and taking the pfi.

2006-10-09T15:21:00.000-07:00

Interesting day. I need ti look at the paperwork and get it organized in my head. It seems confusing now, but I'm sure it will get better as we go on. Purple stuff...YUCK! I need gum.

2006-10-05T06:58:00.000-07:00

A good day in clinic. I have done a lot of charting, however, there seems to be a lot of new things going on here. I'm getting a bit more comforatable with the explorer and the way it is supposed to be used. More to it than just the old hoook type I used in the Navy. We recieved clarification on the case study and it should go well. If it rains this weekend I'll get it done quickly (no outdoor "honey do" projects.

Have probe, will travel

2006-10-02T19:34:00.000-07:00

I'm always a bit uncomfortable while sitting in the chair, but it really isn't that bad. Today was another day of probing. I wasn't as bold doing so as I might be, but then again, I wonder whether maming each other is a bit on the unethical side. Couldn't a really expensive computerized dummy be just as good as a live one? With time we will all get better (Couldn't get worse...I hope). I passed off my fulcrum and mirror PE. Some people can rattle off the by hte book answers, for me it takes a bit longer.

instrumentation day

2006-09-20T10:29:00.002-07:00

hello blog!

Well it's been a few years but it does come back. Wish I had my regular glasses though as my John Lennon rounds fog up too quickly. I discovered that I need to clean my crowns better.

I passed off my extra oral and will do the vitals and intra next monday. Whooppee!

instrumentation day

2006-09-20T10:29:00.001-07:00

2006-09-14T07:40:00.000-07:00

clinic and radiology yesterday went well. Palpating was different as I really don't know what to look for except something that feel strange. My first radiographs (they're not x-rays) in 27 years came off rather well. I need to get used to the vertical orientation of the bitewings as well as the shorter film I am not used to. I do like the automatic processing, I've always had to processs by hand in a closet. Too much reading to do and it's difficult to keep up, but I try to read ahead as much as posssible.

Hello Blog

2006-09-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

What a productive day, 3 PE's! It was a lot of fun and I can see where I need to work more diligently.

Busy day ahead

2006-09-06T09:49:00.000-07:00

I've been catching up on the reading for all my classes and getting more organized by the day. The reading is easy so far. Todays schedule is to practice for the equipment maintenance PE , write in the log and after this class I have to continue studing for my math final (I've forgotten more that I know). Later I pick up my son at the library and take him to his acting auditions.

Is anyone planning to carpool to SLC on the 18th? Safety in numbers and all that you know.

2006-08-30T16:16:00.000-07:00

Well...finally I'm able to post to my blog. Don't know what happened to the first.
The past two clinics have be interesting although not overwhelming. As I catch up with reading things will settle into a dull roar I'm sure.

If there are poeple out there who want to form a study group, I'm up for that. We could meet in the student loinge (1st floor of the MH building, near the elevator) or in the library (there are rooms available in the reference area basement). It would come in handy now and be a lifesaver when dental patho and meds class begins in the future.

As for the question I recieved (one my now defunct first attempted blog) about military dentists be rough?...not really. I had the priviledge of serving with some fine dentists and a few not so fine. Dr. Dennis Sherman from Boise, Idaho, graduated at the top of his class from Creighton Universityand I'm proud to say that after more than 30 years, the amalgam fillings he placed in a few of my teeth are still in very good condition. Then there was Capt. Stevenson. He came up through the ranks (a mustanger in navy jargon) He started out as a pharmacy technocian during the Second World War, went to dental school and would have made admiral if booze hadn't gotten in the way. Ask me about the "dental dynomite" story sometime. The guy had a real sense of humor.

2006-08-30T10:18:00.000-07:00

does this work?