It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life."
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“There might be a cavity under your old crown.”
Note to self: do not follow two joyous weekends of friends’ weddings with a dental appointment.
Bask in the happy couples. Bask in seeing old friends. Bask in the way merriment flashes through my mind as if I am flipping a child’s viewfinder . . . white roses and baby’s breath . . . pastel bridesmaid dresses and upswept hairdos . . . barefoot dancing late into the evening . . . laughing selfies . . . photos of new babies . . . surprising conversations . . . the delicious gnocchi, I wonder how to make gnocchi like that? . . . the happy couple gazing at one another . . . .
Just don’t follow all this with a dental appointment.
During the pandemic, my longtime dentist sold their dental practice. I am having trouble adjusting to the new one. I am overwhelmed. Every single time I get my teeth cleaned, it has led to very expensive ‘fixes.’ I don’t like the trickles of suspicion and mistrust that course through my body, as I sit in the chair.
This new practice has all these bells and whistles that the old practice didn’t have – and I have this uneasy feeling that I am paying for these improvements.
What is one to do? Trust is so essential to these relationships.
I prefer weddings. Trust is pretty important there, too.
Thank you for visiting my blog. Clicking the title of any post will open a comment box at the bottom of the page. I love hearing from you.
I can so relate to this. My dentist retired and the practice closed. I found a new one closer to home. My first visit I was told that the one tooth I have that is filled should be capped because there is not much tooth left. Do I or don’t I. Still weighing the options.
Yes! On the one hand, I’m thinking, well – I’m older, teeth are older, could be that this is necessary, on the other hand – wait, how come my former dentist didn’t find so much wrong? I’m thinking seriously of cancelling the ‘fix’ and weighing my options for a bit. Thanks for commenting.
Maureen, my husband had his Perio appointment this morning and he is still talking funny. And my visit is soon. We share some similar points. Great title!
Thank you! This aging thing ain’t so fun when doctors and dentists are involved, lol.
Maureen, my husband had his Perio appointment this morning and he is still talking funny. And my visit is soon. We share some similar points. Great title!
Double fun commenting! Thank you, lol!
Oh no! I go tomorrow for my cleaning and X-rays. And a dermatologist visit for a likely basal cell on my hand. I often think that aging with ever improving technology is just not the way I like things. I prefer the weddings too, Maureen! A barefoot dance with flowers in my hair sounds like a little piece of Heaven. You had a great weekend!!
Yes, this ‘improved technology’ leads to too many discoveries in my body, lol. I did have a great weekend – two great weekends in a row! Two friends each had a child get married in April, right here in town. So special!
Maureen, what a beautiful post, with the juxtaposition of all those magical elements of the weddings. So effectively written with the ellipses. Then the nagging doubts about your dentist. We have definitely experienced the same feelings about one dentist we had, and we didn’t have to wonder too long why he was always trying to sell us water pics, electric toothbrushes, crowns and more to pay for his fancy new place.
Thank you, Denise! Did you find a new dentist that didn’t sell you all the fancy stuff? I am putting the next appointment on hold – I cancelled it outright. I need time to think this through.
Get a second opinion! I had a dentist who found sooo many cavities, but when I got fed up and found a new dentist, the new discovered more complicated problems that Dentist 1 had not cared to fix.
I am definitely leaning towards getting a second opinion. My husband sees a different dentist (further away; near where he used to work); I’m thinking of heading there and get their opinion. I may wait six months, when I need another cleaning – I am feeling no pain. Thanks for commenting!
Please do not accept this opinion without a second opinion….I say this based on BAD dental situations where I was told things that were not true
I really appreciate you offering this comment! This SOL has been really informative for me. I am putting the suggested dental work on hold and getting another opinion, thanks to all!
Maureen,
I’m w/ you: suspicious about what a new dentist says I need to do. Suspicious of the changes that go cha-ching! My dentist wants me to come in and get phots of my dental work for his website. I’m not interested in being a marketing tool—especially for free. I’ve been dodging g the calls.
It’s good to know I’m not the only one who is suspicious about this. And I would feel exactly like you – don’t use me as a marketing tool. Thanks, Glenda!
Totally feel you on this! Trust is essential, so why do I continue to doubt my dentist? My least favorite and most expensive health care appointment. I have one coming up…I refuse to schedule them during my breaks!
I agree that these appointments should NOT be scheduled during school breaks! Thank you for these supportive words.
Maureen, I, too, have those suspicions about several (strongly) recommended, expensive dental fixes. And what a zinger of a line – truth IS essential to relationships, all of ’em, from the dental chair to the marriage ceremony (and ever after!). Not sure if there can ever be complete dental and wallet peace (!!!) but I am wishing you the trust that makes all the difference, if not here, then elsewhere.
Yes, “complete dental and wallet peace” seems impossible as I age; I know dental fixes increase…but having suspicions about the work itself is extremely frustrating. Thank you, Fran!