I got there a little early since I have new insurance (thanks Hubs AND Garmin) and I immediately hit it off with the office staff. Talk about some fun reception ladies! After several minutes of giggling and laughing it’s time. Time for the torture to begin.
So, I head back , get settled and the worlds most informative dental hygienist starts with my xrays. When she opened my mouth she started off by showing me the diet coke stains on the undersides of my teeth—Yikes. And then the tarter/plaque build-up removal—less than pleasant but not unbearable. Finally, Dr Dentist comes in and does his thing (I don’t know exactly what his thing is but he was feverishly looking and then checking the computer and then looking again—he finally pulls out my x-ray to show me the faintest little dark spot and says, “See that? It’s the beginning of a tiny cavity. We are gonna need to get that filled.” Great. But at least, I’m done for today.
When I’m checking out with reception our conversation goes like this:
Me: Hi I’m back. I’m done but allegedly I have a tiny cavity and need a followup. (I use the term alledgedly because I don’t actually know what cavities look like so I have no choice but to take Dr. Dentists word for it)
Receptionist: Hi! Mrs Dental Hygenist said that since you were “crying” (clearly they use the term crying loosely as only a couple of tears pathetically rolled out of my eyes during the worlds longest chalkboard scrapping) they switched to the (I can’t exactly remember what she called it so I call it the) “water thingy.” It cost more than just a regular cleaning.
Me: Of course it does.
Receptionist: We called your insurance to see what they would cover and we were surprised when they said 100%. (Reason #1 love my Garmin sponsored insurance)
Me: YES! Score!
Receptionist: So, when do you wanna do your “filling?”
Me: Hmmmmmm
Receptionist: What’s your schedule?
Me: Weeeeellllll (clearly dragging my feet on committing to a time. Fillings require needles!)
Receptionist: Hooooow about now?
Me: Now? As in right now?
Receptionist: Yep. Let’s do it.
Me: (reluctantly) fiiiiiiinnnne.
So instead of rescheduling I started my entire dentist experience over again by sitting in the waiting room waiting to hear my name called so I can be shot in the mouth with the world’s largest needle. (Btw, I HATE shots.)
After I was called and Dr Dentist came back he chuckled a little and said he wrote a special note in my file last time noting how nervous I get (Reason #1 I love my dentist) so he would use the same “shake the lip” technique he used last time. (And it worked again.) I barely felt anything (Reason # 2 I love my dentist). So there I am sitting in the chair watching the clock as he drills, fills, and files my new filling---639 ticks on the clock later he sets me up and sends me on my way.
So, back to the reception desk I go. Our conversation goes like this:
Me: I’m back. Just slightly less happy than when I was here just 639 seconds ago.
Reception: We called your insurance company to find out what they would cover on the “white” since it’s not covered at the same % as regular fillings.
Me: Yeah, I know.
Reception: The total is $170
Me: $170???!?!??!?!?!???!?!?!?!??!!!?!?!?!! OMG!
Reception: Well, that’s before you’re insurance
Me: Oh good. (I was expecting $80ish as that’s what it cost me the last time)
Reception: $30 (Reason #2 I love Garmin)
Me: Hallelujah! I LOVE Garmin
So, now, since Dr Dentist is a mouth numbing pro I’m seriously drooling. But I don’t care. It’s done and now I don’t have to think about it until February---when I have to go back and get some more scraping and prodding (aka a checkup) done…..
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