I’ve written previously about my distaste for going to the dentist. Unfortunately I deleted that brilliant and probably prize-winning post in one of my blogging-is-taking-up-too-much-of-my-time-and-I-will-delete-all my post moments. Fortunately, that mood only lasted about ten minutes, and I only deleted about 30 posts. Anyway – the post on dentists was one of the 30.
Back to going to the dentist: I procrastinate and procrastinate until it is necessary. I dread it. I hate it. I obsess about it. I actually lose sleep over worrying about it. I heard commercials for “sedation dentistry” which sound very appealing…but even that scares me. I’m 56 years old, and I’m terrified of going to the dentist. It’s humiliating.
 Right now I am babysitting for Sweet Stuff (4 1/2 years old – I MUST always remember that 1/2), and Sunshine (who is just two days shy of 3). What are they playing at the very moment that I’m keyboarding this post? Why, they are PLAYING DENTIST!Â
I am in shock. Children PLAY dentist? They are taking turns lying back in the recliner and looking in each other’s mouth. Their “medicine” consists of pieces of masking tape.
Sorry – I realize there isn’t a grand purpose for this post. I just can’t get over that they are playing dentist. I might play teacher or play doctor or play carpenter. But DENTIST????
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March 20th, 2006 at 3:45 am
I understand that role-playing is good anxiety therapy. Perhaps you should play with them! Go ahead — tell them “It’s my turn to be the patient.”
March 20th, 2006 at 5:32 am
Interesting idea, Joan. Not sure I want those sweet little hands (but probably dirty little hands) in my mouth!
March 20th, 2006 at 3:14 pm
Joan is probably right…….but personally I think those precious little darlings were just trying to torment you!!!!!
March 21st, 2006 at 11:47 am
I must say that now the dentist make it a FUN experience for kids. I have actually asked if they take adults. Who wouldn’t like going if they gave you a present literally every couple of minutes and all of the tools had funny names and you got to pick out a fun pillow and any TV show you wanted. They don’t check your teeth for cavities, but rather DRAMATICALLY “Count” them. And they don’t brush them the Tickle them. Honestly their version of the dentist is so much different from anything we have ever had. I think Dentist wised up that if they didn’t start making it fun then no one would ever want to come. The air machine makes balloon animals and they get tshirts and prizes. My kids LOVE going.