Today I went to the dentist for my semi-annual cleaning. I laid there watching the HG Channel from a ceiling mounted TV that makes me nervous considering it is directly above my head. I always want to ask how it is held up there but I think I would rather not know. I gave up trying to send telepathic messages to Lois the hygenist who kept asking me questions that required answers that I couldn't give, due to the equipment in my mouth. Across the hall I heard what sounded like frustration being directed at the patient. A boy about 12 or so was being drilled upon when I came in and was now the object of criticism. I focussed in and listened to the conversation.
The dental assistant and the dentist were discussing the teeth of the kid in the chair.
" He HAS to start flossing and brushing regularly or he will lose his teeth," one of them said.
"Yes," the other voice said. "You have some huge cavities here and you MUST floss and brush. Do you understand?"
The kid grunted with what I thought could be understanding but didn't sound overly concerned. That's when I wanted to telepathically tell my thoughts to Lois.
If this kid had to experience the torture chambers of dentistry that I experienced as a youngster, I think he would put a little more effort into his dental care. Going to the dentist was like being led to the guillotine (or worse). I remember trying to convince myself that being killed would be worse because there would not be a tomorrow. I told myself that at least my torture would be over and I would live to see another day. Maybe I was a bit over the top in my thinking, but I know that I am not the only one who was actually tortured by a dentist. I've talked to many people who had to overcome their childhood fear and learn that nowadays, "painless dentistry" is not an oxymoron.
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