Pediatric Dentistry is the SH**

If I could go back and change three things about my childhood, I know what two of them would be. I'd go to Montessori school (but only if I could still have my Mom be my kindergarten teacher), and I'd speed up the advances made in the field of dentistry so I could enjoy the delights of a pediatric dentist.

Parker had his first dentist visit last year. That was the day I stopped disliking them -- those guys wielding the whirring metal tool of terror. I was so totally relieved, grateful and impressed with the way my son was treated, I was sad when we had to leave. It was amazing.

So when Cable had his first visit in October, I was prepared with my camera. This time I wanted to capture the wonder so I when we got home, I'd have proof that I hadn't dreamed it.

I've compiled a list of smart and thoughtful touches these genius folks have added to make going to the dentist something Cable and Parker ASK TO DO.

1. CARS (aka "Lightning McQueen") playing in the waiting room. The play area with toys, trucks, dinosaurs, dolls and books.

2. The first-visit tour of the whole practice.

3. The dry-erase board hung at child's level in the exam room with tons of markers and squeegie erasers for drawing while you wait for the dentist (ours is Dr. Mike).

4. The sunglasses you get to put on when Dr. Mike pulls over the bright light that shines down on your head.

5. The silly names for everything -- Tooth Blower, Squirter, Paintbrush, Tooth Pillow, Sugar Bugs, etc.

6. The nitrous oxide breathed in through a little nose thing to help them relax. "What do you want to smell today?" Chocolate, cotton candy, mint chocolate chip, strawberry, vanilla, orange.

7. The way the assistant passes the needle for the novocaine shot under their line of vision so they don't see it.

8. The prize table!!! When they're all done, they can choose from an array of kid crap (plastic eyeballs, bugs, pencils, super balls, rings, wristbands, toothbrushes, yo-yo's, slime, etc.) as a reward for their bravery.

9. On the way out, one of the office ladies takes their picture, which is on their file and printed on all of their paperwork.

10. Finally, you get to write your name on a special piece of paper and put it into a big jar for a monthly drawing. They draw one boy and one girl from each age group, and the winners get to choose from the shelf of "big prizes" like action figures, Barbies, movies, games, stuffed animals, etc.

Here's a photo of Cable's visit in progress.
He's wearing the sunglasses and smelling minty chocolate chip.

Here's Cable after.

Nice work, Dr. Mike!

Vamp teeth from the prize table.