Get out of my mouth

Get out my mouth!!! That is right, I said it and it is what I should have said back in September of last year. Someone should have warned me.

At some point in everyone’s life there has been a time where you were afraid of something: clowns, dentist, water, etc. This is a short tale, hopefully of a fear I did not have but after yesterday’s experience, I now more than ever understand the ones who have a fear of going to the dentist.

I arose this yesterday morning deciding to myself this would be the 1st day of my attempt to Check My Attitude. I have attitude problems at times and I am frankly tired of it. I did attempt to be a little different and it was going good until my dental cleaning appointment.

I rushed my first appointment to make sure that I was early for the appointment and to my surprise they called me back early, so I thought.

Get out of my mouth!!

Now seeing as though my appointment was at 11:00 am, you would think that by 12:00 pm that I would be out of there, but nope, I did not leave until 12:45 pm. Why you ask?

Well after being called back, the first step was to have x-rays done by a Dental Assistant who stuffed hard colorful plastic in and out of my mouth. I was then escorted to my room (waiting room) and was told that the Hygienist was coming in to measure the distance in between my gums and teeth. I should have got up then, but did not.

After some more prodding around in my mouth, the Hygienist told me that the Doctor will come in and review my x-rays and the measurements. Here comes the Doctor, and she asked how I was expecting me not to say anything I guess, but I told her again that I have not had 100% feeling in my bottom lip and tongue since I had my wisdom teeth pulled in September. She proceeded to show me the film again, you see a few months prior, I came back for a follow-up and mentioned the numbness and she showed me the same x-ray and had the same cry, “Your teeth were on a nerve and sometimes when it is touched this happens, but you will get your feeling back.”

In my head,  I already knew that this was going to be another scare tactic and sales pitch and it was. She stressed how much I needed a “deep cleaning” and I at a point did not bother to look at her because I just wanted my teeth cleaned. I was just flat out disgusted and was saying in my head. Don’t come in here trying to scare me. I cut her off and said, “What is it going to cost me?” Do you really think I want you all in my mouth for something that is not a routine occurrence after not having full feeling? Hecks no!! Get out of my mouth!

A few minutes later a billing person came in and discussed the prices and I told her I cannot afford that. She had the nerve to say, “I will go ask the doctor if that is okay.” when I said, “I just want my teeth cleaned.” What? Either you are or you are not, but you will not bully me into anything. Ms. Billing person came back and said it was okay to do the cleaning.

Finally, finally the start of the cleaning at 12:00 pm. Yes, an hour later after the sales pitches, scare tactics, measurements and x-rays that hurt and on top of it, they have Directv for the guests, but what I wanted to watch was not on. So, I have to suffer through this crap with no entertainment. No wonder you are trying to nickle and dime me: Multiple dental assistants, a billing person, an office manager, more than one doctor and several hygienists I have to help you pay for.

No disrespect to legitimate dentist offices out there, but this right here was totally ugly and ruined my experience with dentist offices. I have had braces, wore headgear and had a retainer and had not been treated this bad in all of my years.

I did check my attitude, because there were many times I wanted to go and use the old man words. Thanks for listening.

God bless!!

Have you had an experience like this? If so, what did you do?