While having multiple teeth extracted, she squeezed my hand to the point where I was in pain, but I let it happen. When the resident placed gaze in her mouth after the procedure, she wasn't able to talk clearly. I was giving her post-treatment instructions and gave her a piece of paper with hopeful reminder tips. She asked me for my pen, unsure of what she was doing, but she wrote "keep your spirit, you was great". It just goes to show I'm not just performing a job to these people. This profession encompasses compassion, support, reliance, tolerance, patience, and emotion. These people need to feel comfort and want to be able to trust their health providers. She was truly inspiring, sweet, brave and real. I really hope she makes
Monday, January 24, 2011
Oral Surgery Rotation
I was fortunate enough to meet an elderly patient with leukemia and lymphoma with the most amazing and positive attitude. She trusted in God to heal her. While waiting for the oral surgeon, I was asking her multiple questions about her life. She was so proud of her children and their accomplishments. She was most enthusiastic about being a grandmother. She "hates the dentist", but knows the importance of having her oral cavity a safe environment in order to have certain treatment done to facilitate getting her cancer free.
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Always remember the golden rule. Sounds like you had a rewarding day in clinic, there will be many more. :)
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I have in a sense afraid of oral surgery not just because of the blood and teeth flying every where but to see people in pain. I had this rotation today and in the end felt a sense of relief not just getting through the rotation but for the patients. I assisted on a patient this morning that had an infection and multiple root tips that needed to be extracted. The patient was in so much pain but I knew that in a few days she would be a new person. It is rewarding to help an oral surgeon assist while comforting the patient. I praise the oral surgeon for what he did but hands down would rather clean teeth any day then see them pulled!
ReplyDeleteI also felt the same way every time I had rotation in oral sugery. It was very hurtful of me to see so many people in pain and so many extractions. Many of the patients could have prevented these muiltple extractions with good OHI! With our profession we have a chance to impact, change someone's view in oral hygiene :)
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