A funny story from our favorite book at the office... Chicken Soup for the Dental Soul.
Masked Lady
As was my custom, I previewed the schedule of dental hygiene patients I'd be working with on that special fall day. I noticed with some apprehension a late afternoon appointment that was one of those patients who could either be the highlight of my day or the most draining. Of course, I'm talking about a three-year-old coming on for his first dental visit. This particular little boy turned out to be adorable and, to my great relief, happily did everything I requested. Not only was I able to take "pictures" of his teeth, I also completed "brushing" his teeth with the "tickling polisher."
It was near the end of his procedure that the boy gave me, and everyone in the office, the laugh of the day. I had just finished polishing his teeth and was about to offer him a cup of water with which to rinse out the toothpaste.
Before putting the cup to his lips, I explained that I wanted him to swish the water and let "Mr. Thirsty Straw" take it out for him. I could tell by the questioning look on his face that the boy didn't understand what I meant by "swishing." To give him a visual, I lowered my dental mask and made the swishing motion with my own mouth. He was successfully able to rinse, swish, and suction the water out with Mr Thirsty Straw.
Afterward, he looked me straight in the eye with the sweet, honest innocence of a young child and announced in an unexpectedly loud voice, "YOU KNOW, YOU LOOK A LOT BETTER WITH THE MASK ON!"
Not only did I burst into laughter, but so did every patient, all the assistants, our receptionist, and the dentists present in our very open-spaced office!
-Josette Beach, RDH, MS
Masked Lady
As was my custom, I previewed the schedule of dental hygiene patients I'd be working with on that special fall day. I noticed with some apprehension a late afternoon appointment that was one of those patients who could either be the highlight of my day or the most draining. Of course, I'm talking about a three-year-old coming on for his first dental visit. This particular little boy turned out to be adorable and, to my great relief, happily did everything I requested. Not only was I able to take "pictures" of his teeth, I also completed "brushing" his teeth with the "tickling polisher."
It was near the end of his procedure that the boy gave me, and everyone in the office, the laugh of the day. I had just finished polishing his teeth and was about to offer him a cup of water with which to rinse out the toothpaste.
Before putting the cup to his lips, I explained that I wanted him to swish the water and let "Mr. Thirsty Straw" take it out for him. I could tell by the questioning look on his face that the boy didn't understand what I meant by "swishing." To give him a visual, I lowered my dental mask and made the swishing motion with my own mouth. He was successfully able to rinse, swish, and suction the water out with Mr Thirsty Straw.
Afterward, he looked me straight in the eye with the sweet, honest innocence of a young child and announced in an unexpectedly loud voice, "YOU KNOW, YOU LOOK A LOT BETTER WITH THE MASK ON!"
Not only did I burst into laughter, but so did every patient, all the assistants, our receptionist, and the dentists present in our very open-spaced office!
-Josette Beach, RDH, MS
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