Dearest Lils:
Today was your first trip to the dentist!!!! I have to say…overall an adorable experience. I attempted to keep my dental panic at bay – your Mom has had years or utter hell dental experiences complete with total heart beating phobic tendencies by merely entering the front door or a dental facility. But I kept my cool and kept trying to emphasize how “FUN” and “GREAT” everything was going to be.
Before we left for the appointment you had a few questions:
L: Will Dr. Mindy give me a shot?
L: Will I need a Band-Aid?
L: Will there be blood?
I then went to Dr. Mindy’s website to show you a picture of her. Often you find comfort in seeing a picture or a person, place or thing before you enter into such world. There was a nice picture of Dr. Mindy on the web site smiling and her friendly logo and entire web site were covered with zoo animals. I asked if you had any questions and you said,
L: Mom? Dr. Mindy office at the zoo?
Funny. I explained it was not in fact at the zoo but that was how her office was decorated.
We grabbed some pizza and soon we were off to Dr. Mindy’s. The insane part of this is that her office is shared with the same office as my dentist where I have spent many a dollar (no dental insurance) many a tear (dentist phobic) and many a panic attack as rubber damns and various spooky instruments strapped to my face. As I entered the facility my heart was beating a little faster than I’d hoped but it was such a relief to be on the ‘other side’ as I approached reception to tell her I was here for Lilian.
Because of the amount of time spent at the office in the last year various people working there came out to greet me and finally meet Lilian. You were a big hit and when they called your name you followed the nurse cheerfully down the hall saying, “Here we go!”
Dr. Mindy was a dream. Very enthusiastic and “theater major” like but I guess you have to be to be in pediatric dentistry. Her entire office was painted like a zoo. She gave you a new toothbrush the minute you walked in. She had you brush the teeth of a pretend stuffed animal before embarking on your teeth. She let you pick out your favorite color floride/toothpaste. She told you she had to wear the funny mask and crazy glasses with flashlights on them to see your teeth. You honestly laughed and giggled through the entire experience. You said, “It tickles!!!!” when she was cleaning your teeth. Hearing all the laughs my dentist walked by and peeked his head in mouthing, “Is this Lili?”
I nodded and said, “Yes. Want to take a peek? She’s doing great. Having a grand old time.”
My dentist paused and then cracked the joked, “Well I see the apple CAN fall far from the tree.” I laughed out loud as Dr. Mindy looked a little nervous. I reassured her, “Oh don’t worry. The doc and I are old friends. We’ve spent a LOT of time together.”
Overall Lili I was so proud of my little cutie patoots.
When we were done she said, “Can you honestly leave her here? She might be the best patient we have ever had.” She thanked you for being such a good girl and then let you pick out a toy from a toy box outside the door as well as a sticker. World’s greatest place ever. On the way out you yelled unprompted, “THANK YOU!!!!!!!”
The trip was $150 thanks to no dental. But overall it had to happen and I was so proud of you Lili. You still can’t get over the fact they gave you a to go PURSE full of a tiny new toothbrush and toothpaste and other goodies!
Thanks for bringing the joy back into a dental experience for me Lili. It’s been a long, long while since I’ve left those doors with a smile on my face.
xo
