Exhibit: Transcranial temporomandibular joint radiograph

Benchmark: Teamwork and communication

Skill:TC102- Seek to understand different points of view

        TC112- Request support or help from others when needed

       

 

            “The important thing is to not stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” These words from Albert Einstein resonate with me because I also believe asking questions is very important. Without questioning something that you do not understand, you will never earn that knowledge. Curiosity is not a burden. Those who ask questions are the innovative people who challenge old ways and bring something new to the table. This type of ingenuity moves this country in a new, positive direction of which will lead to greatness and prosperity. I have recently learned about radiography in my dental class. One of the x-rays taken in dentistry is a transcranial temporomadibular joint radiograph. The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the joint that articulates with your jaw, and cheek bone in order for you to have a proper jaw movement and bite. Incorrect articulation of this joint is called TMJ disorder, which can lead to severe repercussions if not diagnosed and treated.   I am the type of person who in class always is a good listener and if I don’t understand something or I have something to contribute to the idea I will raise my hand. Not many people are like this, some if they question something or have something related to the subject they generally don’t share these thoughts.

            In my dental class I often share things such as previous dental related experiences. For example, I recently learned x-ray terms and techniques. During a discussion about transcranial temporomandibular joint radiography, which shows the temporal joint, I asked if this was what a dentist does during a regular examination when she tells you that she is going to “give you a massage” on your TMJ and also your carotid to make sure everything is normal.  She explained to me that the dentist checks how your jaw opens and closes to make sure the articulation of the joint is correct, if it is not the transcranial temporomandibular joint radiograph will show this disconnection of the joint.

            While I was learning x-raying I found that some of these terms were somewhat confusing. For example, Computed tomography (CT) and a Magnetic resonance imaging (MRi) machine a quite similar. They both are a donut shaped multi-million dollar machine, but they are very different in how they operate and how they develop an image. If I would have not have asked my teacher the difference between these two different machines I would’ve had a harder time fully understanding these different ways of taking an image of the body. Asking questions can only allow you to gain knowledge, it will never deprive you from an answer, but only provide one.

            It is important to listen to other points of view when asking a question. When you ask a question you’re asking that person for their opinion/ knowledge on a subject. Not everyone always thinks alike this is why it’s important to listen to others because you may not be right always and being able to accept something that is the truth, but not necessarily your view is important. In dentistry a lot of rules and procedures are general but is important to think out of the box and accept other ways of doing things. It is important to do what works for you, but sometimes your way isn’t always the right way. When I was a first year this became evident to me because while doing plaster models I was adding a little too much powder which made the mix a little too thick which caused my model to not be as smooth as it could’ve been. A second year offered me advice, which was to add less powder. After making the necessary adjustments my tray was a lot smoother. In the real world of dentistry, a smooth pour creates a better, high quality model.

            Being able to take advice and see things from a different point of view creates a better employee. These skills are directly related to dentistry because it is a career that often changes and advances so you have to be able to look at things from a different view and accept new ideas. Before becoming a dentist you must work under one. It is important to ask for help and support while furthering my career because dentist often are very helpful with helping employees advance in their career by paying for things such as PPE’s and also x-ray certification. Working with the dentist also creates a relationship of which can lead you to bigger things in your life. I plan to work in an office while I am in college so having an actual dentist to take advice from is something that will give me a competitive edge.