I went to the Dentist this week. I’ve been putting it off for a while, but I needed to get some work done, so I finally scheduled an appointment. This is my first trip since I moved to Texas, so I had to find a dentist, make sure I signed up for insurance this year, then make the appointment.
I don’t hate going to the dentist and the work doesn’t normally bother me, but what I hate is the cost. I know, it’s part of life and I’ve learned when you put it off, it just gets more expensive. Plus, you get scolded for not coming in more often. I usually bite down on the urge to respond and take it like a man.
But what I want to say is, If I didn’t have to take out a loan to come, I might come more often. But that’s a moot point, really, so I keep silent. Sitting in a dentist’s chair is not really something we love, is it?
Someone at work found out I was taking the day off and wished me a nice day off. I didn’t want to shatter their positive vibe, so I didn’t mention the day would be filled with stranger’s hands in my mouth, drills and shots. Lots of shots.
I was nervous and it was a pretty stressful day, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, thankfully. I relaxed once I got there and just wanted to get it done at that point. At least I thought I relaxed.
As the dentist worked, he asked several times if I was okay, doing okay, needed a break, etc., I thought I was fine and I never needed to stop or take a break, but about halfway through I noticed I was squeezing the sides of the chair really hard.
Really hard. Like making dents in the arm rests. Oh! Then I understood why he kept asking if I was doing okay.
But it’s all good and I recovered quickly after the anesthesia wore off. My experience sitting in the dentist’s chair ended up fine. And although I have a few more visits ahead of me this summer, I’m mostly done.
What a relief!
Ernie
