X-ray class offers service, practice and savings
William Kennedy
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: News
She stands in a foyer, observing her fellow students bustling in and out of the x-ray rooms, providing physical and verbal support when the opportunity arises.
"They're excited," she says. "At the same time, they're also nervous-it's their first time with live patients."
Soon Valdez gets called away to see to her own patient, but Cancilla remains to aid the soon-to-be dental assistants with proper placement of the indicating device and other reminders, like when a student forgets to put a lead vest on their patient.
It can happen; a full mouth x-ray requires 18 shots, which means a lot of entering and exiting. The dental students want everything to go well the first time, however, as a miscue can cause significant delays.
"If you don't get it right you have to do it all over again," Valdez says. "That can take up patient's time. If they're your friends they'll probably come back. If not, good luck."
Each student has to practice on five patients. Anthony's boyfriend is her second. He waits, while she goes into the dark room to develop the slides.
For him, the value does not lie in the savings. "It's actually costing me money because I'm not at work right now," he says with a laugh. "If anything goes wrong (though), I'll be back in the chair."
Richter does have to take a seat one more time, but only two of the x-rays did not develop, so it is a quick fix. Anthony will look all 18 over in the classroom, before sending them on to Richter's dentist.
She has scheduled her mother for her next x-ray. After that she will look for two as-of-yet unknown volunteers to contact the dental department so she can complete her set. Anthony and the other students have until February 19 to finish their x-rays, after which many will move on to polishing crowns and their resumes as they prepare to enter the job market as dental assistants.
"They're excited," she says. "At the same time, they're also nervous-it's their first time with live patients."
Soon Valdez gets called away to see to her own patient, but Cancilla remains to aid the soon-to-be dental assistants with proper placement of the indicating device and other reminders, like when a student forgets to put a lead vest on their patient.
It can happen; a full mouth x-ray requires 18 shots, which means a lot of entering and exiting. The dental students want everything to go well the first time, however, as a miscue can cause significant delays.
"If you don't get it right you have to do it all over again," Valdez says. "That can take up patient's time. If they're your friends they'll probably come back. If not, good luck."
Each student has to practice on five patients. Anthony's boyfriend is her second. He waits, while she goes into the dark room to develop the slides.
For him, the value does not lie in the savings. "It's actually costing me money because I'm not at work right now," he says with a laugh. "If anything goes wrong (though), I'll be back in the chair."
Richter does have to take a seat one more time, but only two of the x-rays did not develop, so it is a quick fix. Anthony will look all 18 over in the classroom, before sending them on to Richter's dentist.
She has scheduled her mother for her next x-ray. After that she will look for two as-of-yet unknown volunteers to contact the dental department so she can complete her set. Anthony and the other students have until February 19 to finish their x-rays, after which many will move on to polishing crowns and their resumes as they prepare to enter the job market as dental assistants.
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