Going to the Dentist

I grew up in a dental lab technicians household. There were always impression trays around and I could mix alginate with the best of them! My dad opened his own lab in the upper floor of our house when I was in 8th grade, so he was home all the time. That was pretty great. He even taught me how to do study models and I think he hoped I would take over the lab one day. But when I married into the military/airline business and moved away, he knew that would never happen.

Growing up around teeth, you would think mine would be amazing. Well......... not so much. I had braces twice and my teeth are still kind of horsey. I didn't go to the dentist until I was 7 or 8 years old though I don't think that had anything to do with my horsey smile. But I'll never forget my first experience in a dental chair. 

My friend Mona across the street went to a dentist named Dr. Cook. She was always coming home with cool stuff from his treasure chest when she had an appointment, so I told my folks about Dr. Cook quite often. It's no surprise that they talked to Mona's mom and before I knew it I had an appointment. Mom decided it was a good idea to take my brother Ming and I at the same time. I was cool with that. Until we walked into Dr. Cooks office.

I was used to dental smells and sounds. In the lab, my dad used that same drill that sounds as if it could puncture your skull without even touching you, you know what I mean? The front office "girls" were really friendly and took Ming and I back at the same time. Little brother Bunns didn't have any teeth yet, so he was off the hook. The assistant sat us in chairs right next to each other in the big open room, put bibs on us and laid the chairs back. And then we waited while listening to things that were going on in the room. I'll admit, I was a little nervous and I tried to distract myself by imagining all the goodies I would score.

Then it was my turn...........

Dr. Cook came over with his flat top haircut, plastic rimmed glasses and blue smock and said 'hi'! And I. Freaked. Out. Just lost it. I wasn't a terribly excitable child, but I've always been pretty insecure. Coming home to an empty house scared the junk out of me. Like everyone was gone and I was left behind to take care of Toby, our dog. I was pretty sure that if I got too far away from my mom in a store, she'd seize the opportunity to just up and leave and not look back. 

Well, as soon as I got upset, Ming started laughing. The more he laughed, the more upset I got until I was laying back, with two sets of hands in my mouth just snorting away while trying to catch my breath. Snorting like a pig. And every time I snorted, Ming laughed harder until I thought he was going to have a seizure. He had a really funny laugh, but it was really ticking me off, you know? 

I'm not too sure how long I was in the chair. It felt like about 2 or 3 weeks. And when I was finished, I think Dr. Cook was finished as well. Who knew you could sweat so much in an air conditioned office. Then he had to deal with Ming who couldn't stop laughing. I'm relatively certain Dr. Cook thought we were all a little off. They finally sent me out to the waiting room to sit with my mom. She wasn't too happy with me. She had heard what was going on and "almost came back there!" 

We finally left Dr. Cook's office 2 1/2 months after walking in. At least it seemed that way. I still got to choose something out the of treasure chest, but after my ordeal, I really didn't care at that point. I never told Mona, though Ming informed the whole neighborhood............ while he gasped for breath between hysterics. ..............jerk.

Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn ewes

which have come up from their washing,

all of which bear twins,

and not one among them has lost her young.

Song of Sol. 4:2

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