In the clinic

Today we had our first experience in the clinic and it was great.

For those who don't know dentistry at the U of A for the first two years is not really that hands on. We have to spend most of our time in basic science classes with medical students. For many of us it can get a bit trying because we feel like we are floundering in lots of information that in some ways we really won't be learning later. Today would be a great example when we beat the discussion of hypertension to death. It's interesting but at the same time it can get a bit annoying.

HOWEVER, today we had what was called a clinical treasure hunt. Sounds a bit weird and a bit kiddish but it was awesome. Basically we got a very small tour of the dental clinic, found where all of the dental supplies were located and then were left to examine our 'patient' partners for various things in their mouth. So we had to wear gowns, masks, and gloves. So of course we looked really cool.

Then we had to learn how to 'dress' the chairs and rooms properly by putting plastic over most of the equipment to practice good technique. Once I got my patient in the chair I had to of course learn how to work the chair, the light, the trays and using two tools in the mouth at the same time..which I haven't mastered. It's amazing but you actually have to learn all of these things which you take for granted when you go to the dentist...if you go that is.

So we learned a whole bunch of dental anatomy in the process by doing this from the frenums to the palates to the alveolar processes and to the mandibular tuberosities and everything in between. Everyday that goes by I get a bigger and bigger appreciation for the mouth.

If only ALL of my classes were this fun.