At least I learned something

Today was LA mock board.  Everything went fine.  I passed my IA injection, but failed the PSA.  This was the advice that I received.  According to Prof. Alexander, my angles for the PSA were spot on, text book perfect!  That was the great news.  Next came the bad news.  I was too posterior, which meant that I wasn't in the buccal mucosa.  If I had just come forward a little more, I would have passed.  Next time I do a PSA I will practice on the right to see if I feel more comfortable with that.  All of the instructors said they did a left IA and right PSA.  I may need to do that.  I wanted to keep the anesthesia on one side of my patients mouth.  It is more important that I pass than only numb only the right or left side.  She also advised my on being a little too high on the IA and I needed to insert my needle a little more.  My patient was great!  She had wonderful anatomy for injections.  She told me that in her opinion, I did a great job and that the injections didn't even hurt.  I felt like it was a really good experience and so grateful that my instructors allow us that opportunity to learn.

I also had an interesting afternoon.  My patient was a 16 year old girl.  I was hoping that her mother would be cool with me doing a pano.  I just needed one more conventional pano to complete that requirement.  Mom said that was fine, but she wanted me to take bitewings as well.  I told her that she really didn't need them since it hadn't been a year since the last ones were taken, but she really wanted to have them taken.  I find the right pano film and get two loaded into the pano sleeve, put the lead apron on my patient and take the panos.  Once they are developed, I realize the huge mistake I have made.  I had the thyroid collar around her neck and it showed up in the film, blocking out most of her lower anteriors.  I load what I think is another two pano films into the sleeve and take the x-ray.  I go to develop them and find that I have put 3 panos inside the sleeve!  I couldn't believe it.  Just doing the x-rays took me nearly 45 to an hour.  I was so frustrated with myself.  The first pano came out and I couldn't see which side was left or right.  Next one came out, perfect.  Third one came out, too light!  The first two will do just fine, thank you very much.  I learned something today.  So.... that makes it a good day.  Now I need to study for the next 6 hours and another 5 hours tomorrow to prepare the national board that I am taking on Saturday.  I hope that it isn't a mistake taking it so soon.  I feel so unprepared, but I am hoping that I will feel better tomorrow.  I vow that I am not going to study from 2 pm Friday afternoon on.

Wish me luck!!!!