Mockboards

Mockboards are an interesting thing. They simulate the clinical portion of the WREB exam. The paper work for some (myself included) is perhaps the most daunting. There are several forms that you need to become familiar with, and they are used in the mockboards as well. You will most likely receive a copy of this years CANDIDATE GUIDE in you summer mailing. It is not going to mean anything to you right now. BUT keep track of it! This will become extremely valuable to you. You can use it as a reference when you approach mockboards.

So here is my advice when it comes to mockboards:

1. Prepare yourself as best as possible. By this I mean x-rays for your pt. which include: BWX and 4 PA's of the quad you are submitting, and PA's of any additional teeth as well. If they have third molars, and you can't get them on a film, take a pano if possible.
2. Review the paper work. We don't use any of the forms WREB uses, so it takes time to become familiar with them. You can view and print them all at the WREB website.
3. Relax, and do your best. Just think of it as a regular clinic day. Each day in clinic you are out to do the best job you can, with no errors. Don't freak yourself out just because it is a mockboard.
4. Confirm your pt. and make sure they understand it is a very important appointment. I always paid the $7 for the quad that day, so it was an added bonus to remind them, "treatment for this exam day is FREE"
5. Most importantly...Don't be crushed if you FAIL! We had three mockboards total. I passed ONE! The points you receive are out of 10, so it really isn't a huge point loss. It is a HUGE lesson in effective instrumentation!

I am so GLAD that I failed those two mockboards! Sounds crazy huh?! It wasn't by much. I had a pt cancel at the last minute and took x-ray penalties on two of the three. But what I learned from my mistakes in these mockboards was HUGE!

This is kind of a side note, and also this is a long post...but this is my blog, I'll do what I want.

My first year in clinic (especially 1st semester, and even a little bit of 2nd) I spent subconsciously rolling my eyes. I had worked as an assistant for 6 years, and thought it was crazy and irrelevant some of the information that was being taught. True, it is pretty easy to wipe down a chair correctly, but clock positions, fulcrums, indirect vision...those are new concepts for you...even if you have been an assistant since you could walk! Really take the advice the instructors give you and use it. All right...that's all on that...for now.