When someone stays in a dental office for 20 years, they’re committed—or should be! Dentists are notoriously picky types, who can’t have anything done for them fast enough, and if something isn’t accomplished quickly—they change their minds. It’s kind of like working with an unstable radioactive isotope that either blows up or fizzles out…and you don’t know when either is... read more »
Admittedly, I interrupted the conversation after it had started, but when my assistant, a fellow Southerner, said the word, “Snutterfluffer,” I just had to question her. “Did you just say the word, ‘Snutterfluffer?’”, I asked, with a high degree of certainty that no other Southerner had ever uttered that word before. “Yes,” she said, “I did.” At which time my... read more »
“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,” he said as I went back in to retrieve the fractured root that necessitated the removal of his tooth and fabrication of a three-unit bridge. An unfortunate turn of events, but one taken in stride by my 88-year-old patient, a retired army colonel who served through several wars, beginning with WWII,... read more »
Tooth-colored fillings and implants in spaces, Sealed root canals and bright, shiny braces, Veneers on teeth and the smiles that they bring, These are a few of my favorite things…. Geez, apparently all of the holiday gifts and carbohydrate-rich food coming through our office has sugar plums dancing in my head. And, despite my best efforts, my heart seems determined... read more »
It’s only a few days away, now. Mere days until my staff becomes overly giddy and obsessed with the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas. Mere days until the Jingle Bells, Silver Bells, and The Bells of St. Mary’s raise the alarm for everyone to start Home For Christmas—be it White or Blue—and start burning Yule logs and mulled cider.... read more »
Scares me too. Right when I picked up the dental handpiece, an eerie glow came up from below, and off in the distance, I heard the unmistakable laugh of Vincent Price. If only “Thriller” had started blasting through the speakers, the mood would have been complete…. Not too bad for an iPhone camera and an upturned dental lamp, huh? I think... read more »
Recently, in a smoky bar, where my band (shout out to The Vinyl Brothers!) was getting ready to play, the bar manager, who knew there were several doctors in the band, asked me what kind of doctor I was. When I replied that I was a dentist, he said, “So you work on people’s teeth?” Obviously, I said, “Yes.” But…I... read more »
The votes are in. The wait is over. And boy, are we excited! Each year, our local newsmagazine, Mountain Xpress, celebrates all things regional by asking the reading public to vote for their favorite local businesses, restaurants, bars, and of course, dentists! This year, we are honored to be chosen #1! Read more here: www.mountainx.com/bestof Thanks to all of you who... read more »
Dentists are gadget people. We just can’t help ourselves. If there’s a seminar on new techniques or technology, we flock to it; if it’s a seminar on practice management, you can almost hear the crickets chirping over the speaker’s voice, it will be so empty. My instructors always taught me never to be the first to adopt new technology, but... read more »
As everybody knows, sugar is the arch-nemesis of the dentist. Think Spiderman vs. Green Goblin, Batman vs. Joker, Mr. Krabs vs. Sheldon Plankton (for you SpongeBob fans!). Well, think again! There is a tooth-friendly sugar out there in the universe that actually helps decrease the incidence of dental cavities. That sugar is xylitol, a naturally-occurring sugar alcohol that can be... read more »