For kids, a trip to the dentist every 6 months is like going to a carnival. Upon arrival, we are greeted by a high energy receptionist who acts like she has been waiting all day for us to get there. She is all smiles as she compliments my granddaughter’s choice of “Hello Kitty” t-shirts and stylish black boots. She wants to know all about her day at school as she checks us in.
While we wait our turn, we are ushered to a play area filled with brightly colored chairs and numerous video game stations from which to choose. My granddaughter picks one and begins playing. Within minutes, another enthusiastic young assistant walks in with her camera. She positions my granddaughter in front of a brightly colored mural painted with animals and snaps her picture. She takes two, just to make sure she has a good one.
A few minutes later, the dental hygenist comes in and says she is ready. She is also all smiles and immedialtely starts up a conversation, making my granddaughter feel like she is the most exciting patient she has had all day. “We’ll need some x-rays,” she says and places my granddaughter in a chair and covers her with a bright yellow printed protective shield. After the x-rays, she opens a large cabinet filled with an assortment of stickers. She says to take two and we pick “Hello Kitty” – they’ll work with the t-shirt.
As we make our way to the room for our check-up, she asks my granddaughter what flavor of toothpaste she would like her to use. There’s strawberry, watermelon, cookie dough, chocolate, mint, bubblegum, blueberry, cherry and orange. Bubblegum it is!
As my granddaughter is led to a long reclining chair, she is given large glasses, a set of headphones and a choice of two movies to watch while the cleaning takes place. (I am thinking – why doesn’t my dentist offer this?) After the hygenist is finished, the dentist comes in, gives my granddaughter a reassuring pat and praises her for excellent x-rays. “Your teeth look beautiful! You are brushing and flossing very well!”
As the dentist finishes the examination, the hygenist asks what color balloon my granddaughter would like. There’s yellow, dark blue, light blue, pink, red, orange and green. She picks light blue.
We make our way out, but not before picking up a goodie bag. In it we find a new toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, a toy ring, a happy face sticker and the picture they took at the beginning of our visit.
And wait… there’s one more thing! The happy receptionist jumps for joy and hands us a final sticker with the words “NO CAVITY CLUB!” Everyone claps as we head out the door. “Can’t wait to see you in 6 months!”
gmapeggyb 