MY PROFESSION

I had a few randoms (but hey, isn't everybody who comes here,) visit my blog searching for information about crowns and dentists. It was interesting to see the number of people out there who discuss their dental experiences in their own blogs. Usually, they're complaining about the high cost and unneccessary treatment, dentists not taking responsibility for their work and doing procedures without proper informed consent.

I think that of every 5 new patients I see, at least 2 of them will introduce themselves to me with the charming opening line of "God I hate dentists."

First of all (imagine your best Jerry Springer/Maury Povich big mama voice) "Mmmm Hmmmm...Don't hate. You don't know me." - Hello! Rudeness!!! I mean, do you walk into a shop, say "I hate all you retail whores," and then expect good service??

I tend to smile, then put on a fake puppy-dog-eyed look, and then say "Aw. Ouch. I'm going to lock myself in the toilet and cry now," which usually results in a quasi-apology. "Oh, I don't mean it personally. I just hate dentists." Er......okay...

Secondly, yes, I completely agree. There are some mean, rude, inconsiderate, money-hungry, insensitive, dishonest fuckers out there that give us all a bad name. But it's not all of us. I always, but always, tell people why they have this problem in the first place, how they can prevent it, what the different options are, the pros and cons of each option, how long it lasts for and how much it costs. It's so totally shit trying to get people to trust you when they're convinced you're trying to use them to pay off your Porsche.

I sometimes wonder why I'm in this job. I get told I'm hated, on almost a daily basis from people that have never met me before. It's gross and smelly. I have crazy people who are in their late 50's come in with a picture of Jennifer Lopez, saying they want me to make them look like that (it really does happen), and people who don't listen to my advice, neglect themselves and then come back 6 months later, all mental at me because they're in pain.

Yeah, yeah, whinge, whinge, whinge. But what about the money?

Well, after I've paid whatever I have to pay to the laboratories, 60% plus another 10% of that goes to my boss, and that's before the tax-man comes. I'm not rich, but I'm confortable. The money lets me live without worrying and I carry a nice handbag.

So why am I doing this?

Because at the end of the day, I have some lovely, wonderful people who are grateful, who I feel I make a real difference to and I become very fond of.

So if anyone's reading this, be nice to your dentist.

Unless they're an arsehole. In which case, go ape shit.