I can’t believe it was 6 weeks ago, but do you remember me writing (more like lamenting) the loss of my last molar on my bottom left teeth?
I wrote about it here, on January 19. It didn’t have a happy ending—my crown had broken off, I had to find a new dentist as my guy of 25 years had retired, and I lucked onto someone new in my neighborhood—who gave me the bad news she couldn’t replace the crown as the tooth was fractured in several places and would have to come out.
Well… it happened again a few days ago and here it is. This time the crown broke off on the right-hand side, and when I called my new dentist, not only had her office just closed at noon, it remained closed for the next 4 days.
They finally responded to my 4-5 day old message Tuesday morning—only to tell me they couldn’t see me until WEDNESDAY morning. I was fit to be tied, a 5-6 day wait-time for a broken tooth seemed a bit long to me. But I kept my trap shut, and went in yesterday, and was once again charmed by Dr.Shannon in about 60 seconds. She is smart, polite and HUGELY respectful.
She gave me some good news this time—unlike the one that broke in January, THIS tooth could be saved. The tooth beneath this 20 year old crown was in need of a root canal and a new crown, all happening March 25 & 31 and in the ball park of $1500, but worth it.
She’s genuinely awesome. She asked me a lot of questions about my TMJ disorder, I told her that I knew it wasn’t a dental issue and she said she still wanted to help. She told me to bring in my custom guards next week, and she’d modify them with ‘ramps’ to stretch my jaw muscles into a more relaxed position while I sleep. Talk about nice.
I asked if she was from the South, I detected an Alabama accent and she seemed so delighted and asked how in the world did I get that. (I’m not even sure.) She told me she grew up there, very poor off a dirt road and is thankful everyday for her life now.
Her honesty touched me so deeply, I was afraid she was going to make me cry.
Her assistant Amy came in then with my x-rays, and said she noticed where I lived. (She’s very nice too.) Amy said “Doug there’s another dental practice right near you. I’m just curious if you checked them out first before you came here?” I said yes, a couple years ago. I just got a very bad vibe at the time. I knew that wasn’t a good reason.
Dr. Shannon said “Douglas, as a patient you don’t want to dislike your doctor and it can be for the smallest reasons. It can be as little as one liking cookies & cream ice cream and the other doesn’t. I’ve had patients get up from my chair and walk out the door because I’m a conservative.”
Wait, what? I said “Well… when you say conservative a lot of people assume… um… you’re a Trump supporter.” She said “As well they should.”
Wait, what? She gave my temporary crown a couple taps and told me to rinse.
After I got home, I gave my hands a good washing (all that covid out there) then put my next two dental appointment stickers on my kitchen calendar and wondered what to do. Turned on my laptop, saw I had an email from my friend Danielle asking if I was aware the sun was shining. I said YES, then added I just got home from the dentist and how nice she was.
Danielle said “You should give me her info, we need a new dentist and I might check her out.” I thought for a minute.
Should I tell her that Dr. Shannon’s a conservative? Someone who most likely voted for Trump? Danielle & I belong to the DNC, Destroy Numerous Conservatives. Then I thought of Dr. Shannon, telling me of growing up poor off that dirt road.
I decided not to tell her. Maybe Danielle will never learn the truth and never meet her. Or maybe they will meet, Danielle will learn the truth and like her anway. It’s really a chore finding a new dentist, y’know.
Haha!! Aw, she really is a terrific dentist Danielle, but maybe you should grill me after my next couple appointments--we can't be too careful you know :^)
ReplyDeleteOh, God bless her and you, Doug. LOL. Good luck with the new crown.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gigi! Haha, I'm glad you have a sense of humor as we all need one these days.
DeleteKind of in a vulnerable position to be told you were polar opposites! Perhaps because I'm more middle of the road on a lot of things, I don't particularly care what anyone's political persuasion is if I'm paying them as long as they meet my expectations. But I do make mental notes of which ones are particularly sensitive when a opposite opinion to their party is expressed.
ReplyDeleteEd well said, but in all honesty I didn't want to know what she was! She came out with that all on her own! But it taught me a lesson too, don't judge everyone by their politics I suppose. She's a great dentist and nice person, period. :)
DeleteSo glad to hear a lesson was learned because it's very true. I think Americans used to know that - not sure where we went wrong and started to judge others so harshly. I'm moderate but husband is more conservative and I see the quick judgement. I expected better of the Democrats, so many don't seem to be walking the talk. Kim in PA
DeleteThanks Kim. I think it's going to be a long while before both sides se eye to eye... At least like we used to.
DeleteOh, ugh. I hate finding out that someone I like is a Trump supporter. Being a conservative is (marginally) OK, but voting for Trump, especially in 2020, is a huge negative. Supporting his statements, world view, and actions makes them complicit.
ReplyDeleteMargaret--I have to agree, that's exactly how I feel. I just hope the topic does NOT come up again, because I won't keep quiet if asked my opinion. I'm still shocked she said what she did... I almost swallowed that temp crown she was putting in my mouth!
DeleteDefinitely do not talk politics when she has a drill in her hand. I'm glad you found a good dentist though. Hmmm... I should make an appointment soon. It's been a year and a half. I get my 2nd shot hopefully on Tuesday. I'll make my appointment then.
ReplyDeleteHaha good advice about the drill, Kay! I don't want to discuss ANY politics, the less I know about a doctor I really like, the better! Anyway, good to hear about your upcoming shot--I wish I could've waited till I got my shots, but I didnt have a choice...
DeleteWell Blogger ate my comment. I was looking forward to Danielle's comment:) I agree with Kay and thought you should keep your beliefs to yourself when she has sharp instruments in your mouth. You already said you liked most things about her and good dentists are hard to find. I'd say keep those appointments and talk about the weather:)
ReplyDeletePatti what is it with people's comments being eaten? I read that happening on a couple other blogs... anyway, my new dentist has no idea about my own beliefs and I plan to keep it that way! This is one Trumper I don't want to lose and I can't believe I'm saying that :^)
DeleteI am sorry politics became an issue to remember. Unprofessional.
ReplyDeleteSusan I hear you. Well, I'd rather keep politics to friends, family & blogs. All I know is, I don't want to lose this dentist and as long as I'm not being asked to donate to the Donald Trump Fund, we should be okay. :)
DeleteI am sorry to hear of your dental problems. I understand them well as I have a mouth full of crowns and one bridge where I had to have a tooth pulled. It is not fun when the tooth beneath a crown gives way!
ReplyDeleteI am most definitely not a Trump supporter but in the small town where I live there are many. I have friends and even a couple of uh, family members (this hurts to admit!) that are Trump supporters. Survival for me is to not discuss politics. As you said, I would prefer to not know the politics of my doctor and dentist, but if they are good at what they do I will stay with them. Now if they were pushing their feelings on me it would be different!
Bonnie, thanks for sharing that--very well said! Well, I have 2 bridges on my upper teeth so I'm just waiting for one of them to go next--and also like yourself, I come from a small town where 3 out of 4 people voted for Trump--including a few family members that I do my best to avoid politics with! I'm going to do same as you in regards to my doctor & dentist, just hoping this last visit was the end of it--politics I mean :^)
Deleteso maybe there's hope for us yet.
ReplyDeleteTom, I'd like to think so....but I don't know if we'll see it in our lifetimes.
DeleteI don't see what difference it makes if she is Conservative or not. She is friendly and does a good job saving your teeth and that is all that matters. If she were to start preaching at you to change side, that would be a whole different issue, but I think you should just ignore that part of things and be happy you have found a decent dentist.
ReplyDeleteThank you River--well said, and to the point, I couldn't agree more. But I may need to read this a couple more times before my next appt. :)
DeleteA couple whom I am very close to are conservative republicans. I try not to hold it against them ha ha. But seriously, I avoid political talk as much as I can when I am with them. Interestingly, they both were appalled at the takeover of the capitol, as they should be.
ReplyDeleteI live in a very conservative area (Upstate NY). Downstate carries all the dems and turns our state blue. There's a big hullabaloo right now with our governor, Cuomo. He did some very stupid things. I like his political policies, but he is a power hungry ego maniac who needs his comeuppance.
Thanks Carole... I have a couple family members who are... not sure what they are, but not Democrats(!) so I try my best to avoid politics with them as well. And Yes I've been following Governor Cuomo on MSNBC, my gosh! A couple months ago he was America's Hero and now all this. It's a real shame.
DeleteHad to chuckle at your heading, "Rinsing With The Enemy". As long as your new dentist is respectful, gentle and skilful, her politics should be her own affair. After having had patients get up and leave after learning of her political preference, I'm surprised she didn't learn to keep quiet about it, though. Glad your tooth can be saved although you may have to 'bite your tongue' in the process.
ReplyDeleteHaha--well said Florence, thank you! And to be honest, it surprised me too when she made that remark about her being conservative (I mean, I suspected it but never would've asked her). But she IS a super nice person, very professional. We all need to get along together anyway, and I know it's easier for me while Biden is in the White House :)
DeleteShame shame. Judge on the content of character and not the color of politics. I have no idea what the politics are of my medical providers.
ReplyDeleteGranny I agree, I'd rather not know my own medical providers! It ultimately makes no difference. Well, unless they were descendants of the Incas and needed a sacrifice...
DeleteI have to admit, Dug, that I would rather not know... the politics of my doctors. And it's not something that needs to be brought up. We also have a really good dentist. She is so caring and good at what she does, she has made me much less fearful of dentists. But she doesn't belong to any insurance networks so that makes her expensive... but we keep her because we like her so much. So I can understand.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rian, I appreciate what you said here. The more people that comment, the more I realize it just makes no difference. (I really didn't want to know my own, I was just surprised when she said that.) But like your dentist, my new one is pretty special, I feel lucky. :)
DeleteI have missed two cleanings now, but fortunately nothing seems amiss, other than I don't have that squeaky clean feeling in my mouth afterwards. As soon as I'm fully vaccinated, I'll go back. And I'm sure glad to hear that one of your teeth can be saved. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks DJan, and glad you're almost there with that second vaccination :^)
DeleteI had Two Dental Emergencies during COVID and when my Dentist was Closed! One was a Crown that came off, luckily Months later when they reopened it could be glued back on. *Whew* The 2nd emergency I wasn't so Lucky, a Crown had a problem with the Tooth underneath it and I was in agony. They wanted to do an expensive Root Canal, but couldn't get me in for that right away. I ended up in the Hospital ER and then went back to Dentist and told them to just extract said Tooth, a lot less expensive and relief instantly! I'd heard horror stories of Root Canals anyway, have never had one, have no intention of ever having one, most of the time people lose the Tooth they have one on anyway and at my Season of Life, I'd rather have a vacant spot or pay for an implant later on.
ReplyDeleteBohemian, as sorry as I am for what you went thru, I appreciate you sharing this. I was so scared of these things happening during the initial lockdown (when no dentists were available), I can't believe you went thru all that. The not-funny thing is, I HAVE had root canals on several teeth which isn't horrible but IS expensive, and what you said earlier just made me realize something--I HAVE lost those teeth eventually. Hm. I have some thinking to do, thanks again for sharing this.
DeleteDamn, I just went through something similar (political part aside). During a routine cleaning one of my crowns popped off, and what was left of the tooth beneath wasn't worth saving. I've had root canals, fillings, extractions, etc. for years, but I have to say- at almost 60 what teeth are left in my head are all my own. When I'm at the dentist, doctor, etc., I'm not there for friendship, conversation or anything like that. Just do what I came to you for and move on to the next patient. I especially hate it when the dentist tries to carry on a conversation and I have a mouthful of fingers & implements of destruction. How the f*ck am I supposed to talk? Anyway, have an awesome week!
ReplyDeleteBalanced, thanks for sharing this--yep, yep, nodding my head yes to all of it (and like you, almost 60 myself). Had to laugh at the dentist attempting a conversation, so agreed! You have an awesome week too :^)
DeleteI lost a crown during lockdown last year and sadly it took most of the tooth with it so it couldn't be saved, now I need an implant. Not cheap or fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd a few weeks ago I cracked another tooth and I'm just hoping they can save that one. I'm glad the dentist was able to save one of yours. I'm glad to say I have never talked politics with my dentist, and I've been going to him for 35 years!
Joe thanks for sharing--I feel a lot less alone here (though I'm sorry you had to go thru something so similar)! Anyway, sure hope your dentist can save that recent one and I envy you... 35 year relationship with the same dentist, that's great! :^)
DeleteI was looking for your latest post about vaccines and don't see it. I wonder if it's the same thing that happened to me when I tried to change the date of my post.
ReplyDeleteThat's kind of you to ask Kay--it was purely my fault, I posted a funny video from Youtube, but had a change of heart because it wasn't my "work" and took it back down. I do that once a month it seems!
DeleteHey, your Blog is doing really strange things Today... your newest Post won't load, still getting the Dental Post as the most current one... and then, every once in a while it says your Blog doesn't exist anymore! Guess Blogger is being temperamental, will try again later... wanted to read your Vaccine Post...
ReplyDeleteThsanks Bohemanian, I'm sorry about that--I posted a youtube video on my blog yesterday, then changed my mind because it wasn't my work. I think I screwed up my blog, maybe I should just post the video back..
DeleteBummer about the molar. I just lost a crown to my bottom left last molar--and the dentist referred me to a specialist who can't see me for two months!
ReplyDeleteI have talked politics with medical personal, but only those who I knew personally. Go Pirates!
https://fromarockyhillside.com
Sorry to hear that Jeff, I hope that molar can be saved!
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