Relatively Minor
Laughter does not have to come from a major source. It could indeed be ... relatively minor.
At 65 years of age, I am proud to say that I have never suffered from dental phobia. The feeling of being completely overwhelmed and terrified by the thought of going to the dentist. In fact, I visited Winterset Dental the other day when I felt an unfamiliar twinge in number 19. Of course, I am not a dentist, so I couldn’t tell my molars from my canines. Except for the fact that I left my canines at home that morning to roam the house.
As I patiently waited to be called for my non-emergency impromptu appointment that morning, a gentleman entered the facility, greeted the receptionist, and proceeded to write a check in the neighborhood of an arm and a leg. (Now I have a better understanding of why people fear the dentist.)
A few moments later, the hygienist called my name and I followed her to the end of the building. Fortunately, she had reserved a seat for me in the dental chair of exam room number six. We exchanged pleasantries and I told her of my concern for the twinge of pain I felt on my bottom tooth. She advised an x-ray might be the next course of action while I opened my mouth wide enough to swallow a horse as she inserted the camera. Although probably not my greatest selfie, the hygienist left to let the doctor know I was ready.
In the meantime, I overheard the dentist in the next room advising his patient of their upcoming procedure. “First we will take out all your bottom teeth … let you rest for five or ten minutes, and then take out your top teeth,” he explained. “We will need to give you a shot to numb the pain which might sting a little, the dentist continued.
That was all I needed to hear. I am sure my eyes were as big as saucers when the hygienist returned. So I asked her if she had seen the movie, “When Harry Met Sally?”
“Do you remember the part in the restaurant where Sally starts to moan and groan … and the lady in the booth across the aisle says, ‘I’ll have what she’s having’?
“Well, I don’t want to have what he’s having,” I commented, motioning toward the guy in the next exam room.
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