Thursday, August 11, 2005

I made it to school by 6:45 and had plenty of time to cut a practice prep on #30 before our practical at 8am. A practical is a hand skills test. We had 90 minutes to cut an occlusal (biting surface of a posterior tooth) prep on number 30. We were allowed to use a marker, our handpieces, any burs we felt were necessary, hatchets, an explorer, and our amalgam condenser. I was slightly shaky from being nervous. It took me a few minutes to relax enough to be able to cut the prep. Making that first dip into the enamel can ruin the entire prep within the first 5 seconds. But, I did alright. It took me just over 30 minutes to finish what I thought was a nearly perfect prep. I was slightly off centered on my supplemental grooves and my fluidity wasn't as nice as I would've liked, but otherwise it was flawless. Unfortunately, the professors who graded my prep, didn't agree. Actually, one professor did agree, the other professor thought it had a few more mistakes. I reviewed his suggestions, and I think he's out to lunch. I'm not sure he/she is on the same page with the rest of the class. But, that's what you deal with in dentistry--everything is subjective. The ideal prep (which is what a perfect prep is referred to at Pacific) depends on who is grading. So, it's pointless to worry about it. I ended scoring well, but not as well as I thought I did.

After the practical, we had a four hour break. I went and observed in the clinic for a bit, and then I headed to the cafeteria to study. At 2pm, we had a lecture on the supposed controversy over amalgam fillings. Essentially, there is no danger from having amalgam fillings. Antiamalgamists are putting on a smoke and mirrors show for the public to listen to.

We were done by 4pm. I passed on heading to the lab and went home. I got to play with the kids for a few hours. It was nice way to end the day.