Shadowing

Recently while shadowing in clinic, I was truly amazed about how much I actually know...and of course how much I still need to learn.  For instance, I understood the dialogue between faculty and clinician when referencing furcation and mobility classification.  I understood why the clinician was using certain instruments where and recognized the proper adaptation. When shadowing in the beginning of the year, I felt like I was a deer in headlights, not understanding most of the conversation and for the life of me could not comprehend how such oddly bent sharp instruments could be used or needed to "clean teeth". 

Just being in clinic, I got to use axium (scary) imputing probing depths, furcation, mobility, and bop classifications, which are all things talked about in class.  I viewed recession depths over 12mm, which truly made me feel like being a part of this program is not something that I'm doing because I enjoy the practice, but encompasses truly making differences in people's lives and health. 

I also witnessed that the seniors are still learning. While shadowing, I was so impressed by their confidence and how much they know through experience. Someone was having slight trouble using the explorer and reading correct probing depths, because they were not adapting it just right.  The faculty reminded them of proper technique and they had no problems thereafter.  It's an on-going everyday learning experience.