Corporate Dentist

These are not my teeth.

I went to the dentist today. Groupon.com had a deal a while back that offered an exam, whitening and full set of x-rays for $50, and at that point, I wasn't as strapped for cash as I am now, so I got it. Besides, I haven't been to the dentist in a while, so I really wanted to make sure my teeth were good and healthy.

It was busy when I arrived at 3:58 p.m. (my appointment was scheduled for 4:10 p.m. - so you know what that means? Even though I: left my office later than I planned, stopped at the structural engineer's office AND my apartment; then Garmin told me the wrong direction and I had to make a couple of U-turns to find myself at a dead end and NOT the dentist... after all of that - I was on time, early even. And I already had the new patient paperwork filled out...) and waited until 4:30 p.m. until the... I don't know what her title is, but I will call her the Pusher. She came and walked me around the building, giving me a tour of the place and then turning me over to x-rays.

After full mouth x-rays, density checking and then the exam... I found out that I have, "beautiful, healthy teeth" and two baby cavities. Great.

I paid for the cleaning, which was not included in the groupon, and then was escorted back to the Pusher's office, where we could figure out a way for me to pay to have my cavities filled and to get my whitening trays.

Overall, the office was very friendly, but had a very corporate feel to me. I couldn't get over the fact that I felt like they were trying to take my money. There were SO many people there, it sort of made me anxious. And the fact that the Pusher and several other people were walking around with headsets, made it feel all the more "corporate." On the other hand, my hygienist rushed to make the trays so that I didn't have to come back for them, and could start the regimen early. And they have some of the coolest and latest technology in the dental field. X-rays have gone digital, and I got to look at the x-rays and see what the dentist was examining as he pulled them up on screen and looked at each tooth. The chairs were comfortable.

They set me up with a payment plan so that I could get my cavities filled and pay just a little bit a month with no interest for a year. Just what I need - another monthly payment. And I have a feeling that the Pusher is going to try and get me to put sealants on all of my teeth. Which is all great and well, except I think she said they were $30 a tooth...which I most definitely cannot afford. But, whatever, my teeth are healthy and will soon be cavity free once again.

I haven't had a cavity since I was seven years old (or something like that) and I don't remember what it's like... I hope it isn't too bad. *Shudder*

Oh, and they didn't give me my cookie (which was supposed to be included with the groupon.)