I am finding radiographic calculus on MY recall patients. It seems I’ve lost my ability to scale even with the cavitron. It doesn’t seem to matter using new instruments. I’m ready to quit. After 17 1/2 years with 12 in perio, I’m ready to leave the profession. I feel like I need to go back to school.
Oh no! Are you sure its your scaling ability/instrumentation or is it the patients’ homecare? Some patients can build calculus within 24-48 hours depending on many factors such as homecare and/or saliva composition. After scaling do you use an explorer and check for remaining calculus? I ask these things because I’m not sure if you should be throwing yourself under the bus so quickly.
If you do feel like you need to brush up on instrumentation, you can attend hands-on workshops (at conferences, CE opportunities through your local ADHA component, study clubs in your area, etc. ) and even watch YouTube videos as a refresher.
Don’t throw in the towel if its the patients’ homecare, you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make them drink! Keep your chin up!