DrStudentDentist

My first practical is over.

Before I go into it, I just wanted to add that I dreamt about teeth last night. That’s my first teeth dream since the start of dental school. Fortunately it wasn’t a scary one. Nightmares involving teeth are creepy.

Alright, practical. Just a quick disclaimer: this is an account based on my experience and what I remember during a high stress time.

My alarm was set to 5:30am. I woke up at 7:25am. (Come on, Joyce. You have a practical today) By the time I finished showering, it was 7:32. I checked the class calendar which read “7:45am Practical Exam #30-O Amalgam Prep”. (Say it ain’t so.) With no time to bike to school, I called down to security and had them call a cab. Before school started, a recent UOP graduate told me I ought to think about getting a scooter in case of mornings like these. I brushed the idea off as silly. (A scooter? me? Noooo.) I really wished I had a scooter this morning. (Well, no bother.) Taxi took me right up to school. I rushed into the building with 2 other students and we rode the elevator up to the 3rd floor. We flew through the doors together, each going to their own station. Fortunately, I had 10 minutes to prepare my station and after setting up my handpieces and tray, I sat down to draw the lines on the sulcus of my #30.

(Alright, breathe. Fulcrum my finger on the side of the tooth. Stop shaking. Draw.) I slip and make a stray mark on the lingual transverse ridge. (Shoot. Who had the alcohol and Q-tips at my station?) I looked around. (My neighbor does. Whew. Breathe.)

Over the loudspeaker, I hear “Okay, put away all your papers and models. It’s the start of the practical” (Waaaaaait, alright, where’s my row instructor?)

“Dr. *, are you still able to review my prep lines?” (Please say yes.)

“You’re too far out on your developmental grooves.” (Gotcha.)

Once it got underway, the hour and half went by faster than I expected. I graded myself and turned my typodont’s mandible in. Now I just wait and see.