When was the last time you saw your dentist? Even with busy schedules filling every gap in our daily lives, have any of you considered having your teeth examined lately? I recently visited my dentist, and you would be surprised how much dental practices have evolved to prioritize modern patient comfort and advanced care.
An Appointment With The Dentist…
As the busy seasons shifted, dental clinics updated their operating procedures to streamline regular appointments. At first, I did not bother making a call; people with the most painful issues would be clamouring for those hydraulic recliners. Eventually, my appointment was confirmed. I was given explicit instructions as my dentist’s secretary spelled out the terms of my rendezvous.
She reminded me to arrive at their dental clinic no earlier than ten minutes before the scheduled time. Otherwise, as she said, “You’ll have to wait outside on the bench over by the tree in the courtyard.” I didn’t even know they had a courtyard.
The Dentist’s Waiting Room…
I was right on time and made my way to the secretary. She smiled, pointed to a seat, and I sat down. My dentist works with three other dental surgeons and a cluster of dental hygienists; five people were waiting with me. We looked at each other sheepishly and tried to guess what each of us was in there for.
I’d been waiting less than ten minutes when my hygienist came out and called my name. Dressed in a long gown, wearing a plastic face shield and a mask beneath it, she motioned for me to follow her.
An Empty Exam Room…
As I walked along the hallway, I passed an empty exam room. Evidently, a patient had recently been there with a dentist, and every inch of that space was disinfected. I was to find out from my hygienist (later on) that they sterilize a room after every patient. “That’s a reassuring process,” I thought to myself.
As I sat down for my ‘tooth time,’ I couldn’t help but wonder how my hygienist could perform her job in that long gown she was wearing, but she did. And she did it well. She admitted she’d gotten used to wearing the long safety clothing.
My Dentist Noticed Something Tiny…
A short time later — wearing a mask and gown like the hygienist — my dentist greeted me warmly. His banter was muffled as he asked me how things were going. I mumbled a reply as his stainless steel tools probed my gaping mouth. I grunted. He understood and, I presume, smiled. He also suggested I come back in three months. There was a tiny spot on a molar that he wanted to follow up on.
That Special Feeling You Get…
As I left the dental examination room, employees were already scurrying in with disinfectants. The secretary smiled and waved goodbye. While I walked toward my car, I felt reassured and confident; everything had been carried out professionally. And I felt something else.
You know… that good feeling you get when you’ve just been to the dentist — and you run your tongue along clean teeth?
__________________________________________________________________________________
* A dentist commissioned this piece. My daughter is a dental hygienist — SHE approved this post. *