One tooth less...

 Hooray for dentists who actually stop and listen!

I had to have a molar removed yesterday; it was fully cracked and there was no saving it. The last time this happened almost two years ago, the experience of removal was traumatic. I don't mean that adjective in any hyperbolic way; I literally started to panic when I was told that this tooth had to come out. The pain and fear were both very real. My usual dentist does not do any nitrous oxide or other anaesthesia, so he insisted I go elsewhere. (Well, fine, then.)

I ended up going to another highly-recommended dentist in town, and the experience was far different. Yes, getting a tooth out still sucks entirely. But the office manager was super nice, the hygienists I met were personable and caring, and the dentist took the time, both in the first consult and yesterday, to hear my story, and he was able to put together a plan of care that helped reduce my stress and anxiety. The little details, too, were a welcome surprise. All of them were designed to make a patient feel cared for. He even took my blood pressure twice, himself. Manually. To make sure I was okay.

Given the erratic state of health care in our country these days, I am so lucky to have found a place that took such good care of me. I suspect that I might be switching all of my records over. My mouth still hurts-- yarding out a broken molar in pieces is not comfy-- but I'm no longer scared witless. 

I also want to give my daughter a huge shout-out for taking good care of me. With loopy meds on board, I could not drive. She not only took me there and back again, but she kept an eye on me after, made me some soup, and in general, made me feel loved. She's the best!

I am grateful. Let's hope that the insurance covers a good chunk of the procedure though---but that's another whole story for another day. 

Take care,

C