Thursday, Friday, June 13-14

The computer system and X-ray system went down at Dean Dental, so I was on the phone with the company for about an hour trying to figure out the problem. After that I assisted Dr. Krietman in a surgery. The surgery was for an implant. I helped with auctioning and providing the Doctor with the tools. Then I called a couple of patients to confirm their appointments for the next day.

Tuesday, June 11

Today was a slow day at Dean Dental Associates. Dr.Krietman and I saw a couple patients for a routine checkup and cleaning. With fluoride I cleaned and polishsed their teeth. We then talked about dental school and how over the years it has been very difficult to be accepted.

Monday, June 10

The first patient Dr. Kreitman and I saw today was for Botox treatments. I thought it was interesting how the patient came to her dentist for Botox instead of going to the plastic surgeon. It was weird seeing a patient at the office and not caring about their teeth. Dr. Kreitman injected her forehead cheek area. The second patient was their for adjustment for appliance. His appliance is worn every night to prevent grinding of the teeth; it was bought in because it was too tight and it was hurting his teeth. Another patient came in for a crown checkup. I made a solution called Fiji which the doctor used to "cement" the crown to the root of the tooth.

Thursday, June 6

I read an article today on Holistic Dentistry. I was very suprised because I did not know that there was such a thing existed. Holistic medicine is when the doctor treats the patient without using harsh antibiotics but uses natural remedies. When I read this article I was shocked, I thought to myself "How can a dentist treat an infection or gum disease without antibiotics"?
Holistic dentists believe that your teeth are an integral part of your body and hence your overall health, and recognize that your oral and dental health can have a major influence on other disease processes in your body. It was interesting to hear that root canals can not be treated holistically. Dentist and scientists have not found a way to do so yet. 

Wednesday, June 5

For the first time today I felt a little disgusted by what I was doing and seeing. A patient came in for implants. In order for the doctor to start the implant process he had to put screws into the patients gums so that the denture can screw into it properly. The process of inserting the screw was gruesome. I helped by auctioning and by giving Dr. Kreitman surgical supplies.

Tuesday, June 4

As soon as I go to Dean Dental I assisted Dr. Kreitman with implant surgery. He extracted the patients tooth, then dig a hole in the gums and then put in a screw. Attatched to the screw he put a fake tooth. We then saw a patient whos crown was too large for her mouth. Dr.Kreitman had to take the crown off by using a tool called reverse drill. It put a lot of pressure on the patients mouth but the crown came off and he reshaped it. He then saw 3 patients for routine check ups. Another patient came in because she wanted Dr. Kreitman to adjust her mouthpiece that she wears to not grind her teeth.

Monday, June 3

Dr.Kreitman said today was a very funny day. We saw 6 patients who all had the same problem. The patients were there for a crown. I made the compression that is like the mold that goes into the patients mouth and takes the shape of it. The compression is then sent to the labs where the actual crown is made. After taking the compression, the doctor cuts the tooth to its root to prepare for the crown.

Friday May 31

Yet another very busy day at Dean Dental. I worked with Dr. Krietman this whole day as his assistant. Together we performed 3 fillings on patients who had a cavity. After drilling the infected part, I got to see the black dot which was the cavity. Them he performed an extraction. He gave 2 shots to this patient because she is immune to the numbing needle; then with the surgical screw extracted it and then stitched it up. We then saw 4 patients who came for a routine check up.

Wednesday, May 29

It was a very busy day today at Dean Dental because it was the first day back from Memorial Day weekend. I saw 9 patients today with Dr. Kreitman. 3 patients were there for a single extraction. After extracting the tooth, I made a paste with the IPR in order to take a mold of the tooth for the future. I am now very skilled at making the IPR and SNAP pastes. We then saw 3 patients who were there for a routine 6 month checkup. Then we saw a patient that suprised us. She is a 8 year old girl who is complaining about her right molar. After taking xrays and seeing what the problem was, the docot wanted the orthodentist to see it for a second opinion. The last 2 were there to get xrays because of discomfort in the mouth.

Thursday, May 23

Today Dr.Kreitman gave me a magazine that he said he wanted me to read and do research on. The magazines name is JADA (the journal of the american dental assosiation). The first article I read I didnt't really undertstand much; the vocabulary that was used was very scientific therefore I couldn't understand it. It was called "Treatments for hypersensitive noncarious cervical lesions". But the second article "FDA advisory panel asesses hydrocodone prescription writing", this was about the responsibilities of a dentist; such as informating patients of the risks and side effects of taking an opioid.

Wednesday, May 22

Today was a slow day at Dean Dental. I went in from 1 to 5:30.  As soon as I got there I started packagin the instruments that had already gone through the sanitizing machine. I then assisted Dr.Kreitman on a mini surgery. Using the mini medical drill, the doctor took the filing out of the patients tooth, but before he could put a new filing he saw that the tooth is cracked in half. He couldn't continue without the patient having a root canal first. He told the patient to see a root canal specialist and then to come to him. The next 2 patient were young girls who were there for a routine 6 month check up. I helped Melissa get the room ready by sterilizing everything and calling the patients in.

Tuesday, May 21

Today was my second day at Dean Dental. I was there from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. I leared many new things today and also did more physically. Right when I got there I helped the secretary file paperwork such as insurance balances under the correct file. I then saw 2 patients with Melissa. The patients were 2 and 3 years old. It was their first time coming to the office; they cried and started shouting. It was very difficult to check their teeth. After having their mother hold them down we finally were able to polish and do a check up. After that I assisted Dr. Kreitman with a surgery. He performed an extraction, I helped by suctioning the excess water/saliva out. After the doctor stiched the gums together I cut the stiches. I then cleaned the location and put the tools in the cleaner. Assisting this surgery and seeing what an infected tooth looks like made me realize how important it is to regularly visit a dentist.

Monday, May 20

Today was the first day of my service at Dean Dental. I was told to arrive at the office at 12 and stay until 4:30. At first, I spoke to Dr. Kreitman about what I will be doing, who I will be shadowing and working with. Melissa, who is the dental hygenist at the office, came and told me that I wil be helping her for the day. We saw 5 patients today. The first patient came for an implant. I watched the surgical procedure being done, and helped with suctioning. The second and third came to the office for a routine checkup. I helped Melissa with pouring water and scope into the cup, helped sanitize the instruments and filing in their reports. Next I was taught the location of everything that both Dr. Kreitman and Melissa use. The 4th and 5th patients were there for tartar/plaque clean up. I watched and helped with using the suctioning tool. I learned a lot at my first day of senior service; I am excited to go back.