With a Song in His Heart, and a Hand in My Mouth

I have a dental appointment tomorrow morning, and I know it sounds strange, but I can’t wait!

That’s because I have the best dentist in the world.

For me.

According to studies, fear of dentists and dental work is common among 75 percent of adults in the United States. This “dental fear” ranges from mild to severe. Of them, it is estimated that between five and 10 percent fall into the classification of “dental phobia," a condition that makes them so afraid of the dentist that they go to extreme lengths to get out of going. (For more complete information, check out the entry on Wikipedia).

I used to think the dentist was only necessary when something was wrong: toothache, broken tooth, or some other painful reason. And of course, when you only go to the dentist when it hurts, you equate that pain with the person who is really trying to relieve it. Unfair association, I know, but that is how we think, we humans.

So why am I so eager to see my dentist, and what makes him “the best in the world – for me?”

One word: music.

My dentist is also a musician. He plays and sings in a garage band of other 50-plus professionals (their guitarist is an attorney). He also does local musical theater, so the man has a prodigious talent. But what makes him a perfect dentist for me it this: He not only listens to you when you say you’re not quite numb yet, he sings to you while he works!

Two visits ago, I had to have a broken tooth removed. My dentist is current rehearsing troup a production of “The Music Man,” so between grunts and yanks, I got a mini concert of tunes from Meredith Wilson’s classic. (I tried to sing along and sprayed blood everywhere, so now I just hum along in my head!)

My last visit was a preparation visit for some bridgework I am having done. As he’s grinding down the two adjacent teeth that will support the new dental devise, this I what I am hearing:

“I could while away the hours
Conferrin' with the flowers
Consultin' with the rain
And my head I'd be scratchin'
While my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a brain …”

Yes, I was being drilled on by … the Scarecrow from “The Wizard of Oz!”

And while it was a lovely rendition, I stopped him at the end of the chorus and said, “That’s not the most comforting thing to hear from the man with his hands in your mouth!”

He laughed and shot right back: “It’s all in the hands, my boy!”

And, indeed it is! I have complete confidence in my dentist, and in his ability to make my visits a pleasant experience. Now, when I think of the dentist, I don’t think of Orin Scrivello, DDS, the abusive and sadistic dentist and boyfriend to Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors.”

And that is important, since your dental health has major bearing on your overall physical health. According to the renowned May Clinic, your oral health can give you clues about your overall health. (For the complete story, go to the Mayo Clinic.)

So as I approach my 60’s, I realize just how important good dental care is to my overall plan to live a long time! And having a dentist I can trust, one who cares about my pain, and one who makes sure I am totally comfortable as he cares for me is an important part of the team that will help me live into my 70’s and 80's (and beyond?) .

It helps that he has a great voice too!

Like I said, I have the best dentist in the world – for me.