1st patient

[salvarsan]

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Hey all,

I am going into my 3rd year in sept and I am bit anxious about doing some real dentistry (eg. restorative) for the 1st time on patients. I have done ok in preclinical courses on pucks but on a patient you cant really screw up.

Anyone else feel or felt this way before their first few patients?
How many patients does it take until you get comfortable?


Thanks

 

[OceanDMD]

Hey all,

I am going into my 3rd year in sept and I am bit anxious about doing some real dentistry (eg. restorative) for the 1st time on patients. I have done ok in preclinical courses on pucks but on a patient you cant really screw up.

Anyone else feel or felt this way before their first few patients?
How many patients does it take until you get comfortable?


Thanks

Most the time the patient won't know if you screw up. As long as you control the facial expressions and no "oops", or "oh ****sss", etc... Everyone makes mistakes, don't sweat it. Just take it slow at first.

 

[armorshell]

Most the time the patient won't know if you screw up. As long as you control the facial expressions and no "oops", or "oh ****sss", etc... Everyone makes mistakes, don't sweat it. Just take it slow at first.

Isn't that why we wear masks?

 

[OceanDMD]

Isn't that why we wear masks?

The eyes say the most.

 

[1992Corolla]

The eyes say the most.

Which is why the loupes were invented.

 

[Lidopaine82]

Hey all,

I am going into my 3rd year in sept and I am bit anxious about doing some real dentistry (eg. restorative) for the 1st time on patients. I have done ok in preclinical courses on pucks but on a patient you cant really screw up.

Anyone else feel or felt this way before their first few patients?
How many patients does it take until you get comfortable?


Thanks

I found by the time i jumped through all the hoops and filled out all the paper work, cutting on the tooth was the least stressful part. Basically, you're new to the clinic and all it's rules, but you're used to cutting preps.

 

[aphistis]

Hey all,

I am going into my 3rd year in sept and I am bit anxious about doing some real dentistry (eg. restorative) for the 1st time on patients. I have done ok in preclinical courses on pucks but on a patient you cant really screw up.

Not only can you screw up on patients, you will screw up on patients. Hopefully the mistakes are infrequent and reversible, but no dentist is perfect. The mouth can be a very difficult environment for the tasks we perform in it.

You should work to avoid mistakes, but at the same time try to recognize that they will periodically happen. An accidental pulp exposure, or endo perforation, or bungled extraction doesn't mean you're a lousy dentist. Especially at the beginning of your career, you'll learn as much (maybe even more) from your mistakes than from your successes.

Anyone else feel or felt this way before their first few patients?

If you get over it after only a few patients, you're a quicker study than I was. 🙂

How many patients does it take until you get comfortable?

For the first couple months of clinic when you're just getting started on different procedures, it'll seem like every appointment is your first one ever. It'll pass, but try to be patient with yourself in the meantime.

Read about a procedure beforehand the first few times to refresh your memory, ask your attending if you have questions, and then just trust yourself to get it done. You'll be fine, and so will your patients. Good luck!

 

[aphistis]

The eyes say the most.

Not if you keep them shut while you work.

 

[pmantz]

Isn't that why we wear masks?

Which is why the loupes were invented.

Not if you keep them shut while you work.

 

[Thaxil]

My first restoration took three appointments! I felt so bad for the patient. You will learn this shortly, but 3rd year clinical faculty like to bust your balls. There was a pre-start form, BP checks, anesthesia request, HH review, expansive progress notes, and detailed evaluation for the prep and restoration. That was just the paper work. 3rd year always required a rubber dam.
One reason it took 3 appointments was because it took 1 appointment to place the damn dam. This patient was young and had a positive attachment which inhibited the seating of the dam below the HOC. It drove me nut and the patient became restless with made me nervous even more.
Also the patient had reversible pulpitis with a large MODB restoration. I was also working with the most ana! Retentive instructor on staff. I had to bury my bur chasing after amalgam from the previous restoration. The prep had a near pulp exposure. The restoration was much smoother.

The patient did not return to the clinic.

 

[Dr2BSoon]

Who was the instructor? I want to avoid them if they are that anal next year when I start clinic.

My first restoration took three appointments! I felt so bad for the patient. You will learn this shortly, but 3rd year clinical faculty like to bust your balls. There was a pre-start form, BP checks, anesthesia request, HH review, expansive progress notes, and detailed evaluation for the prep and restoration. That was just the paper work. 3rd year always required a rubber dam.
One reason it took 3 appointments was because it took 1 appointment to place the damn dam. This patient was young and had a positive attachment which inhibited the seating of the dam below the HOC. It drove me nut and the patient became restless with made me nervous even more.
Also the patient had reversible pulpitis with a large MODB restoration. I was also working with the most ana! Retentive instructor on staff. I had to bury my bur chasing after amalgam from the previous restoration. The prep had a near pulp exposure. The restoration was much smoother.

The patient did not return to the clinic.