Aubree Shreve

12/3/2021

DNH 226

Smithfield Dental 12/02/21

On December 2nd, I completed my service learning rotation at Smithfield Dental. I really

enjoyed the day, and all the employees were very helpful and kind. It is a busy office which is

great because it shows that Smithfield Dental provides good dental care.

Our first patient of the day was twenty minutes late and had to complete paperwork. My

classmate saw him and completed a periodontal maintenance appointment, along with a

maxillary anterior periapical image due to his chief complaint of cold sensitivity. Dr. Quirós

discussed the matter with the patient in an educational and professional way. He also spoke with

my classmate and I about possible causes of it and possible treatment options. I thought it was

great he took the time to engage with us as well even though he is very busy in his own schedule.

I saw the second patient of the day. She was also a periodontal maintenance patient. I

think her appointment went well, however, she had slight to moderate calculus along with

extrinsic staining. Her appointment was a little difficult because she stated she cannot lay back

very far, so I had to stand for her appointment. I felt that it was difficult to ensure I performed

well because of this but was happy with the calculus check I received from the hygienist that was

working that day. Since we were about thirty to forty minutes behind already from our first

patient being late, I struggled with staying on time and, again, feeling as though I performed to
the best of my ability. We were provided with an hour and a half per patient which was very

helpful, but I still worry about being able to adjust to one hour time frames after graduation.

The second patient I saw likes to come every four months just based on preference, so we

did an adult prophylaxis. She had good oral hygiene but needs to floss more frequently. I took

vertical bitewings on her and was able to see pieces of calculus on the distal surfaces of a couple

of her molars. I feel as though her appointment went well.

When my classmate was seeing patients, I helped with charting, notes, and sterilization. I

really enjoyed talking with Micah-Nicole. She was helpful and down to earth, and someone I

would work well with. I also liked how Dr. Quirós took time to talk with us during each exam

and give us a dentist’s perspective on different topics that came up during the day.

My day at Smithfield was very busy and it felt rewarding to get a private practice

experience in a hygienist’s role. The patients were all very pleasant and it seems as though the

staff have a great workflow to get their duties and tasks done well. It’s evident that this is a good

dental practice, and I enjoyed my time there.