Lessons at the Dentist

For many people, the dentist brings feelings of anxiety and avoidance. For me, I faithfully attend every 6 months, and was so excited to start bringing Alexa when she turned 3. And, of course, she did wonderful the first time I brought her. She really liked Julie, the hygenist who I have seen for years. Above is a picture from Alexa's first dentist visit with Miss Julie.

Yesterday we had another visit. Alexa's second ever, and my -oh who knows how many. We happily paraded into the office and took our seat in the waiting room. Eager to see Julie, Alexa waited with baited breath for our names to be called. But, what was this? Some older woman came out and called us into the room. Maybe she's just getting us set up I thought, then Julie will be here. Nope, she was filling in that day. I started to worry that Alexa would be afraid or nervous having a new person clean her teeth. When the woman asked who would go first, I stood there blankly. Alexa quickly shouted, "ME!" and climbed right up into the chair. That little trooper sat there like a champ. She held her mouth open the ENTIRE time, even when the lady walked away to write in the chart.

I began to ponder as I sat waiting for my turn with this new lady, that I know I can at times have an issue with change, and I'm really trying to be better about that. Alexa didn't even bat an eye, but I found my heart starting to pound a little harder at the thought of someone different cleaning my teeth.

When it was my turn I continued to think some more as I lay almost upside down in the chair, since the new woman had a hard time maneuvering the foot pedals to adjust the chair. "She doesn't do as good a job as Julie", "great, she's not getting all the plaque off and my teeth like Julie does and my teeth are going to rot." Stop Kim. It's ok. It's change.

Every time it's time to polish I always choose the raspberry flavor. I like it. Why change what works? When it was time to pick my flavor, I felt liberated and took a big step when I said, "I'll try orange."