28.3.2013

我 。。。

时而放空，

时而肆无忌惮，

时而寂寞孤单，

时而流泪放纵。

：）

Cons cons cons cons cons :D

Sometimes I enjoy Preclinical Conservative Dentistry practicals, but sometimes I dread their arrival. My work used to be fast in Block 2 when we were still practicing cavity preparation and restorations on extracted teeth. I used to pack up and leave the class with lots of time for a good nap before afternoon classes. I didn't have any backlogs then. But when we started working on Phantom heads, my work began to lag, my cavities became so bad. I was so stressed.

My 46 Class I and II cavity preparations were horrible, but my work gradually improved until Dr.Jaya said that they were neat. And then we began to work on the maxillary arch. I had problems with indirect vision. I still have. My 26 Class I Distal and Mesial Pit were not bad, but when we started to do 26 MO, I spoiled my tooth because I wasn't able to visualize properly. I had to get a new typhodont tooth and start all over again. Repeating Mesial and Distal Class I again. Lol. (And the tooth wasn't cheap. Sobs.) But I was glad that I had more chance to practice. Realised that my work was few times faster compared to the first time. So with the entire 26 - Mesial and Distal Class I, MO, Palatal extension, Base and Varnish, restoration... It made me lag behind. Haunted me for a couple of weeks.

Something went wrong with the amalgamator today, and it was taken away for repair. So we had half an hour to do our backlogs. I completed my 26 mesial base and distal palatal extension yay!!

Now I enjoy doing Amalgam restorations very much. Haha. Learnt the right way to carve, but still unsure whether I have condensed properly or not. Kinda worried that I will under-condense in real patients next time. Hmm. And hope my restorations won't be very bad in maxillary teeth. I also need to work on increasing speed of Matrix placement. Lots to learn and looking forward to learning. :)

 My first Amalgam restoration :)

We will be having Competency test for Cons this block. I know I have problems with Class II cavities. Praying hard that it will turn out fine :) Last block's Prostho, God blessed me with a pass when I had no confidence at all with my teeth arrangement in the test. I have faith that He will be there for me this time as well :)

There are a few more pictures that I took in the lab. Will upload them next time :)

BDS Dental Camp '13

I thought we will be able to have a look at Manipal U's mobile dental clinic, but it turned out that they had other plans for us. The Dental faculty planned a visit to Hebri Village instead, providing us some exposure to community medicine and dentistry.

The mention of a Dental Camp sounded exciting, but it is actually a 3 hour rural visit to give us an insight at the healthcare system in places where facilities are limited. So 35 of us from Batch A set off on one fine Thursday in a bus, under the care of Dr.Arul. He is always the one who brings us on visits and stuff.

On the way to the Community health centre, we passed by a group of blacksmiths working metal into wrought metal. It was something new to us, and we stopped to stare and take pictures. Dr. Arul took the chance and told us that what they were doing was cold working. Haha.

 Cold working. Lol.

We had a look and were briefed at the immunization center, dental clinic, wards, pharmacy, and counseling center. Learn quite about the organisation of healthcare and stuff. Saw an autoclave too. Didn't expect it to be so small. D: Saw how vaccines were stored and transported. Also had a look at a child getting immunization injection. The way she cried shook us. ><

 Health Center

After we were done with the medical centre, we proceeded to visit the dental center. It was very small, with 5 dental chairs. Had a look at a couple of procedures. There was an old man getting an extraction. He was obviously in pain. We could see tears in his eyes, but the dentist didn't stop until the old man finally raised his hand in agony to stop him. Then only the dentist re-administered LA for him. Saw a child getting a GIC restoration. Didn't get to observe what the dentist did, but at least we see what the steps were. It was fast. But they said the assistant didn't follow the P:L ratio, manipulation and stuff. He just mixed the two together. Lol. There were 2 other extractions, and we got to see LA administration up close. Seems like we have to revisit Anatomy after second year. Totally forgot about the trigeminal nerve branches. Lol.

 The pretty lady dentist giving LA

Restorative procedure ongoing

After that, it was back to reality and we were shipped back to Manipal, having enough time for lunch before having to attend afternoon classes. So sad. We will be so grateful if they gave us an afternoon off.

 Little calf that we saw

 Qiqi showing off her prawn salad. Lol.

 Nicholas & Chu brought cup noodles along. Pro much.

Overall, it was a fun trip I would say. At least we learned stuff that will be useful to us in future. Or else we wouldn't know anything beyond lecture halls, books and well-equipped dental clinics that we go to back in Malaysia. Yay :)

Rants. DO NOT READ.

It's a holiday! Some Karnataka General Election thingy. Heard from Peggy that it's also Sisters Day today. And coincidentally we sisters had breakfast together this morning.

The second week of Block 3 is coming to an end. It hasn't been a good start. I have no idea why there are so many obstacles and accidents and carelessness. Never really had a day of peace.

*Don't read further if you don't wanna be bothered by rants and complains.