December 29, 2009

The Dentist Waiting Room

Last night, I went to the dentist. Much to my dismay, I was called back to a room almost immediately.

"You seem disappointed by our prompt service," observed the dental hygienist.

I explained that my husband was home with the kids and that I was actually looking forward to spending a half hour in the waiting room with a stack of tabloid magazines.

The woman--a mother herself--smiled out of the corner of her mouth as she took my x-rays. She returned to the exam room a few minutes later with an armload of magazines and some bad news.

"Your film is going to take at least 45 minutes to develop," she told me with a wink. "Maybe more."

I fell to the floor in gratitude.

34 comments

Nicole said...

ha! I just laughed aloud in my empty office...

Gigi said...

Wow! What an excellent service they provide!

TheQueen@TerrorsInTiaras said...

Ha! I usually go to PTO meetings that last 30 minutes, but in order to avoid the whole 'kids starting the bedtime routine over once another parent enters the scene' thing, I spend the next 2 hours wandering the aisles of Target. For the benefit of the children, you know.

Jen@Scrapingirl said...

What a wise hygienist. I never thought going to the dentist was a getaway. That is pretty funny.

Working Mommy said...

Nothing like a sympathetic hygienist!! How nice of her :)

~WM

Anonymous said...

Ha ha! i totally understand! this sounds crazy but i'm having minor surgery on Thursday and am looking forward to just sleeping under the anesthesia since I never get good sleep at home (no, not depressed...just have a kid that wakes up 3 times a night, minimum). I'm also looking forward to that afternoon when I'm home and can't do anything b/c I just had surgery. :)

Unknown said...

Ahhhh, man, can I relate!!!

The Four Week Vegan said...

Now that's what I call service :) Hope you enjoyed those mags.

KTW said...

Now that's an understanding hygienist! And it had to be even better than the waiting room since you even had a headrest and your feet propped. ;)

Jenn said...

I would have hurried up at the dentist's office, and then headed out somewhere alone with the story that the dentist took forever.

You're so honest!

becca said...

awesome! thats better than just sitting in your car in the office parking lot, then telling your husband you had to wait forever for xrays when you didnt really have to. did you give the hygienist a tip?

Angie said...

best hygentist ever

Unknown said...

Wow, that sounds like an amazing dentist's office. Every dentist I have ever gone to has provided a horrible experience, and the hygienists are idiots. Maybe I should move to PA and see a dentist there.

Anonymous said...

I would have hurried them along and then stopped by for a pedicure(has to be a hidden pleasure). Or have gone to a store you know uh by myself, that is a pleasure. I however have to keep on checking the cart as I have to check to make sure that my son didn't escape then think about it and realize he was never with me. Okay so I can't relax.

Kay said...

I'm going to school for dental hygiene. I'm totally going to look for a stressed out mom and I'm going to do the same thing!

Amy said...

Ha ha ha!!! I nearly choked on my oatmeal.

I actually have a dentist appointment today!!! I usually tell everyone my appointment is 30 minutes earlier than it is just so I can window-shop for a bit before the torture begins. Today will be no exception! LOL!

Anonymous said...

That is too good!
Melissa in Durham

Amy J said...

My husband is a dentist. Maybe he can grow his practice by offering this service. ;) I think moms would really get the word out if there was somewhere in town that did this!

Malea said...

Bless her.

beutifull jane said...

Blimmey I can so relate to this, I actually thought having major surgery a relief as I could at least have a feasable excuse for a rest.....didnt work out that way though as I made the mistake of getting up to quickly!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, God love her!

Unknown said...

Awesome. I thought it was just me who viewed time alone to ready trashy magazine as a luxury akin to a spa treatment. doesn't hurt that my dentist is HAWT! Eye candy. Heh!

Mortensens said...

I was just thinking about this exact thing this morning. I have a Dr. apt. this afternoon and I am hoping to have some quality knitting time in the waiting room. Last time I was in and out before I could even blink.

Hope said...

LOL!! I love it!

Audra said...

What a great idea. My dentist appointment is coming up and I think it will take them at least 45 minutes too!

Laura said...

Awesome! You should go buy her a Starbucks for that! Don't you love when a fellow Mother completely understands you.

A Musing Mother said...

I didn't dare post that on my blog. My root canal was, perhaps, the highlight and the most relaxing moment of my week.

Lindsay said...

I love it that women understand each other in such a way.

Silvina B. said...

I can SOOOOO relate to that!! I've said the same thing to my doctor's nurse last time i was there because my appt. was at 6:30 pm and i wanted to make sure i didn't get back home before my husband did the whole nightmarish bath/bedtime routine with all three kids :)

Southern Belle Mama said...

What a nice belated Christmas present!! :)

Geezees Custom Canvas Art said...

What a nice hygienist!

Anonymous said...

Oh you really get me! Since having kids I LOVE going to the dentist to read the magazines! I HATE when they're ready for me so promptly! And, don't you hate when all there is are Kiplinger's, Forbes, Golf? Weird. I want People mag., baby.
deb

Amalie said...

haha! why do they always take forever when your kids are with you and are prompt when they are not around?

Megan B ♥ said...

Ha ha!! Hilarious!