Spring quarter is upon us, which means that I will be seeing real patients in 3 short months. The curriculum for this quarter is focused on preparing us for dealing with real patients. In the first week alone, we have practiced assisting each other and learning about anesthesia. And as I am coming to find out, anesthesia is TERRIFYING!
On Friday, we had "the wiener lab" (as it has become affectionately known), in which we learn to properly handle syringes by injecting anesthetic into hot dogs. The mood was pretty light hearted, because it is oddly satisfying to poke a hot dog and fill it with stuff. (Not to mention that dental students can be pretty immature and there was ample opportunity for suggestive jokes involving "poking" and "wieners".)
So tonight, I decided to watch a few anesthesia videos before bed since it is t-minus 4 days until I inject my first "patient" aka my clinic partner and close friend Mindi. This was probably a bad idea. I am going to have nightmares. There are lots of different injections that you can give a person, depending on what teeth and tissues you want to anesthetize. I watched 2 different videos about 2 different techniques tonight and they both contained content that made my jaw drop. First up was the video about the infraorbital block. This involves a needle going straight through your face to under your eye where you want to stick a nerve exiting a tiny hole (pointed out by the red stick in the picture). Okay, I can handle that. Then, the narrator calmly states "an important advantage of this vertical approach is that the overhang of the infraorbital rim protects the eye from accidental needle puncture". Wait, WHAT?!? I could accidently poke someone's eye?!? Oh dear. Next, video 2 regarding the maxillary block technique - pterygopalatine approach. Essentially, you stick the longest needle you can find all the way into someone's head. See it highlighted on the skull in the picture? That sucker is practically behind you ear! (Not to mention that you need to stick that needle through a teeny tiny hole on the roof of someone's mouth to get it all the way up there.) Okay, pretty sure I don't ever want to do that to someone. Then, the narrator states that there are some "rare complications" with this technique that involve "diplopia and temporary loss of vision". I can BLIND someone? They recommend that the "patient should be advised that the effects are transient". Hey buddy, I just blinded you with my needle, but no worries dude, it'll totally wear off. Yeah, I'm sure THAT will avoid a lawsuit. Needless to say, I am NOT EVER going to try that on someone. So, 2 videos down, only about 20 more to go. I hope I make it.
(And dear Mindi, I am sorry you are my guinea pig. I promise I will try not to blind you or poke your eye out.)
On Friday, we had "the wiener lab" (as it has become affectionately known), in which we learn to properly handle syringes by injecting anesthetic into hot dogs. The mood was pretty light hearted, because it is oddly satisfying to poke a hot dog and fill it with stuff. (Not to mention that dental students can be pretty immature and there was ample opportunity for suggestive jokes involving "poking" and "wieners".)
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