Dexter, Dexter, Dexter...

    I went down to the new clinic to practice taking xrays on the mannequins.  We don't take enough radiographs in clinic to be quick at it, so I think that timing us as we did a FMX was helpful.  It just made us aware that even though we had 3 hours, we couldn't (and shouldn't) take that long.   Even though it wasn't easy taking the radiographs on the Dexters, it was a good learning experience.  Placing the plates exactly where we want them, squeezing the handles on top of their head to open and close their mouths, moving their tongues out of the way with our fingers are all part of the challenge. 
      After processing them, we were given feedback on how we did.  We critiqued our own images and figured out what was wrong (and right) about them and how we could improve them next time.  I have taken bitewings on a patient since then and found that it was a little easier.  Although the people in the radiology clinic are helpful, it can be very hectic.  So, having the time in the other clinic to practice is definitely a good thing. 

     A couple of weeks ago, I had the experience of walking my patient to the Oral Surgery clinic for a blood pressure reading.  I took her BP in clinic twice before going to Oral Surgery and each time was higher than the last.  The patient couldn't understand why her BP was so high because she felt fine.  She had arrived to her appointment early and walked up to the hospital to get a cup of coffee and was convinced that the coffee was the cuplrit.  She told me that she had been looking forward to getting her teeth cleaned, but she understood why we had to reschedule.
     As we were walking back to our clinic, she said she had been on medication for hypertension in the past, but her doctor had taken her off and advised she self- monitor her BP at home.  She admitted she hadn't taken her BP in some time.  She then told me that her husband had recently had a pacemaker placed and he was currently being treated for cancer.  She had a LOT going on in her life.  I'm still not sure whether her PCP had actually taken her off the meds or if she did that on her own.  But, she has since been to see him and has been cleared for treatment. 
     Even though we weren't able to treat her that day, I am glad she was able to get the help she needed.  If she continued to go with uncontrolled hypertension, the results could have been much different!