Brilliant poem. It's nice to see it from 'the other side' so to speak. Whilst I wouldn't say I love going to the dentist, I'm glad they're there. Some are better than others, though. When you get a good one, they're worth their weight in gold. Sadly, here in the UK, NHS dentists are becoming as scarce as hens teeth. After three years in Scotland without being able to find any dental care, we managed to register with one last summer, and we seem to have 'landed on our feet' as they seem very good.
I had a wisdom tooth out last week and the poor guy had a bit of a challenge as he didn't have much left to work with. From the needle going in, to me getting out of the chair felt like no more than ten minutes. Hardly any discomfort, both then and afterward. An excellent job all round.
Anyway, thank you for sharing this great insight. I particularly love the bit about keeping a flooding room the size of an orange perfectly dry.
Thank you, Kim! Coming from the medical world into the world of dentistry was a very eye-opening experience. I was astonished by the amount and level of detail I had to learn!
It’s a joy to help people see how they are being cared for—maybe in a new light.
Very soothing, and probably a great thing for any to read who are headed to surgery with a dentist. Your wonderful descriptions of the “dance” between dentist and assistant is super.
Teyani, it is a very smooth kind of dance, ideally. And maybe it will help to think of the caregivers as ones who are trying to make a masterpiece for you. Hoping you have a lovely and healthy experience. 🌞
Oh, how I love this one. And, that you used the word occlusion (so perfectly) in a poem. Also, I will be taking this poem/ letter to my dental appointment in a few weeks.
Please do, MK, and I will be there in spirit. And yes, oh my goodness, all the lingo in dentistry! There are so many fun and beautiful words I could’ve put in this poem.
Aw thank you, Lisa! I always wish patients could see things from the other side. To know how much they are tended to and hoped for. And to understand something of the level of care being given for their comfort, and safety, and happiness.💛
No offense but, I really hate… (yes, yes, we know)"
I've no doubt you all must hear that with nearly every patient. 😄 Thanks very much for doing what you do! We need more health professionals who look at their work and their patients in this way. (I don't fault the ones who struggle with it, though. It's a very hard profession.)
I really enjoyed the flowing, meandering structure to this poem. To me, it felt like how a good dentist visit should hopefully go.
Glad you enjoyed it, James! I always try to meet patients where they are, and then hopefully help them to reframe their experience into something healthy and positive. Who likes having to be a patient? I sure don’t! 😅 But I prefer honesty and actually see that as a level of trust. A privilege, really. It helps me take better care of someone’s specific needs for comfort and safety. Health care is always just humans taking care of humans, and I find that beautiful.
This is so spot on, says the guy in the chair. Rings true in every detail. I recently had a crown put in and my dentist told me how good she thought it looked. I could sense in her tone real pride in workmanship. I was actually struck by the comment and happy for her. I also knew my mouth was in good hands, so to speak!
I think I may print this out and take it with me for my next dental visit Ann... you are amazing! As are all dentists, I have always felt very in awe of such a difficult and not always pleasant profession...
This is a lovely tribute to the hard working profession of the dental health world, including you Ann! It’s an important message.
Thank you, Donna! A labor of love.
Thank you for this. I have a consult on a tooth extraction Friday
Andrea, I'll be thinking about you. 🙏💛
Brilliant poem. It's nice to see it from 'the other side' so to speak. Whilst I wouldn't say I love going to the dentist, I'm glad they're there. Some are better than others, though. When you get a good one, they're worth their weight in gold. Sadly, here in the UK, NHS dentists are becoming as scarce as hens teeth. After three years in Scotland without being able to find any dental care, we managed to register with one last summer, and we seem to have 'landed on our feet' as they seem very good.
I had a wisdom tooth out last week and the poor guy had a bit of a challenge as he didn't have much left to work with. From the needle going in, to me getting out of the chair felt like no more than ten minutes. Hardly any discomfort, both then and afterward. An excellent job all round.
Anyway, thank you for sharing this great insight. I particularly love the bit about keeping a flooding room the size of an orange perfectly dry.
Thank you, Ralph. Worth their weight in gold, so true! Your dentist seems very skilled and that's a huge blessing.
This nearly had me in tears of laughter. You have so brilliantly captured the universal feeling of a dental visit!
I'm so glad! Humor can be disarming to our fears. Lets us have compassion on ourselves and each other. 💛
“And longevity (please lord!)”
I am saving this to re-read before each trip to the hygienist/dentist.
So! Fabulous!
💛💛💛
You have forever changed my feeling about going to the dentist—in the best way.
Music to my ears, Angela.
If people only had an inkling of the devotion being practiced…
Thanks so much for reading.
Love! And it's helpful to remember the dentists side of things!
It’s wonderful when the caregiver-patient relationship is thriving. We so look forward to taking care of you.
Wow!
You turned a dental procedure into a poem of service and love.
You have a rare ability, Ann, to see to the heart and capture that vision in words.
Thank you, Kim! Coming from the medical world into the world of dentistry was a very eye-opening experience. I was astonished by the amount and level of detail I had to learn!
It’s a joy to help people see how they are being cared for—maybe in a new light.
The cutest poem, Ann. I just sent it to my wife. . .who's off to the dentist!
Awwww! Love that, Ron! I hope she has a great visit today. 🙏💛💛💛
Dental care is so next level; we have a great office. The word faithful comes to mind.
Very soothing, and probably a great thing for any to read who are headed to surgery with a dentist. Your wonderful descriptions of the “dance” between dentist and assistant is super.
Teyani, it is a very smooth kind of dance, ideally. And maybe it will help to think of the caregivers as ones who are trying to make a masterpiece for you. Hoping you have a lovely and healthy experience. 🌞
Oh, how I love this one. And, that you used the word occlusion (so perfectly) in a poem. Also, I will be taking this poem/ letter to my dental appointment in a few weeks.
Please do, MK, and I will be there in spirit. And yes, oh my goodness, all the lingo in dentistry! There are so many fun and beautiful words I could’ve put in this poem.
This is so lovely! I’ll think about it next time I find myself at the dentist’s office.
Aw thank you, Lisa! I always wish patients could see things from the other side. To know how much they are tended to and hoped for. And to understand something of the level of care being given for their comfort, and safety, and happiness.💛
"Everyone says so:
No offense but, I really hate… (yes, yes, we know)"
I've no doubt you all must hear that with nearly every patient. 😄 Thanks very much for doing what you do! We need more health professionals who look at their work and their patients in this way. (I don't fault the ones who struggle with it, though. It's a very hard profession.)
I really enjoyed the flowing, meandering structure to this poem. To me, it felt like how a good dentist visit should hopefully go.
Glad you enjoyed it, James! I always try to meet patients where they are, and then hopefully help them to reframe their experience into something healthy and positive. Who likes having to be a patient? I sure don’t! 😅 But I prefer honesty and actually see that as a level of trust. A privilege, really. It helps me take better care of someone’s specific needs for comfort and safety. Health care is always just humans taking care of humans, and I find that beautiful.
I love this. I’ve got some teeth that need tending to.
May you think of it as the kindest form of self care. 🙏💛
This is so spot on, says the guy in the chair. Rings true in every detail. I recently had a crown put in and my dentist told me how good she thought it looked. I could sense in her tone real pride in workmanship. I was actually struck by the comment and happy for her. I also knew my mouth was in good hands, so to speak!
I’m so glad to hear this, Alan. Dentistry is a delicate combination of art + physics + health + compassion
And I love knowing that you’re in the hands of a professional with a passion for excellence.
Keep up ALL your good work, Ann!
I will 🙏💛
Loved this!
Thank you, Hasse! 💛
I think I may print this out and take it with me for my next dental visit Ann... you are amazing! As are all dentists, I have always felt very in awe of such a difficult and not always pleasant profession...