A successful visit to the dentist

Grandma needed some dental work today, and when I took her along to the health centre I was very impressed with the Community dentists, who treated her very well. They explained everything clearly to her and got her sorted out gently and efficiently. They are even going to do the next phase of the treatment at her home. 

What a contrast to the rather workshy dentist I had the misfortune to meet about ten years ago who used any excuse to get out of treating my Mum. I would persuade her to go to the dentist - because she was in pain - and arrange an appointment to fit in with my working hours, or during my holidays if possible. And then I would get her all ready and drive to the hospital and get her into the wheelchair and wheel her to the dental department. However when we arrived, and even though Mum was calm, the dentist would ask leading questions such as “Do you really want to go ahead with this treatment today?” to which my Mum (who had dementia but knew a way out when she heard one) would reply “Well, actually no thank you, I would rather go home!” An expression of sly triumph would cross the dentist’s face as she explained to me that she couldn’t possibly go ahead without my Mum’s permission. I presume that she just didn’t like treating older people who needed a lot of work done, and I’m sure that it was one of the less pleasant parts of her job, but it was still mean of her I think. So back to the car we would go with nothing achieved, and I remember one time being particularly annoyed because as we were stopped at the traffic lights nearby, we saw the workshy dentist and her assistant skipping across the road to a coffee shop, all smiles and laughter after getting rid of us! Oh well, that’s a long time ago and clearly things have improved a lot, I’m glad to say. 

Today Grandma’s dentist was absolutely wonderful and couldn’t have been more helpful.