Dental Distraction

WHAT is with THAT?






Two years ago while visiting my dentist for a cleaning and  check up,  I was almost tearfully  referred to a Periodontic office by the young Dental Hygienist after being warned of the possibility of losing my whole set of  bottom teeth due to gum disease and disrepair.  


Predictably,  I immediately made an appointment with
the recommended professional at their earliest convenience.  After a long trip into the city, searching Google maps, and scoping out the office where I was to attend the day before so I wouldn't be late, I entered the lush, finely and tastefully décorred office. 


 As I sat waiting for my turn to be called into the inner sanctum of  dental mystery, I started to idly calculate the price of the trip to get me to just the waiting room of this  elite professional medical office. 


 As my musings went from one mounting dollar to another, I realized that this visit probably wouldn't be the only and last trip to this office at least for many weeks if not months.   Further to this total, I started to calculate the probability of the amount of money that would be ultimately traded forward for whatever procedure(s) would be deemed necessary to save my dental future and ultimate diet choices.  True, there no doubt would be some input from public and private insurance coverage, but as one not  to read the fine print of such policies, I suspected that there would be a certain amount of monetary loss from my own back pocket already under great pressure due to the lack of large pockets on any pieces of my non stylish wardrobe.


With these thoughts in mind and a twenty minute wait, I finally was ushered into the 'chair of divine dentistry'.  Before the bib and goggles were even  put in place and the chair tipped, I announced to both assistant and  the Doctor of Dentistry that  if whatever was found in my mouth  that needed to be corrected and the cost wasn't covered by my private insurance then they shouldn't consider doing it.


The shocked reply from a  dark voice above and behind me indicated that if that was the case I shouldn't be in the office (meaning the chair) at all. 


Thus ended my short and not so sweet visit to the world of Periodontics.




FAST FORWARD TWO YEARS


 As the time for another dental check up with  the original dentist and hygienist approached,  I emotionally gritted my teeth as  I was loathe  to actually  face the  'MUSAC' as I sat in the hygienist's chair expecting  to be subjected to a certain  amount of  not so veiled professional chagrin and chastisement. 


X rays were taken, scrapings and swishings were done, as well as  suction and biting completed.


  No comments were uttered other than the obligatory  "Open, Bite, Close, Hold, Turn, Sorry."




I waited quietly as X rays and dental file  were taken to the Dentist for perusal.  I sighed in dread guessing how these two Dental Deities would convey that I had been a bad girl and a negligent patient that obviously cared little about her own dental health; considered as someone who would ultimately be soon only consuming pureed pea soup and mashed potatoes for sustenance in her future of dentally deprived existence of sunken cheeks, flapping lips, and gum sucking.


I waited quietly listening to hygienist and dentist murmuring in the next cubicle discussing my 'case'.


They returned together in tandem  and in  strategic strength from behind my chair. 


"Hmmm. How are you doing today, Penny?"  came the  formative voice that I immediately recognized as the same that recommended procedures such as fillings, braces, cleanings, and extractions for myself and family for over 15 years.




"Not too bad," I replied timidly, head down, eyes averted bracing for the 'verdict'.


He sat down on one of those twirling little piano type stools beside my own tipped chair and leaned over and said, " You have  very healthy gums and teeth. No extra work to be done. See you again in a few months."




Can someone tell me just what is with  THAT?




...a Mandible Miracle?
...a mistaken case of  Gravity of Cavity?  
...a example of a Gumfounded catastrophe?
...a  non case of Oral Disorder?
...a Brush a Day keeps the Peridontist at Bay?
...an example of Insurance Assurance gone astray? 

FACEless Day 1

I am for the next 46 days Faceless.  I have chosen as my token suffering for Lent to not turn to Facebook for what has been increasingly  my  first source of  information, gossip, banter, unusual recipes as well as bizarre photographs. 


 I have not deactivated my account. That would be too easy. 


 No, I have chosen to simply let my account lie dormant but  at the same time active in that it still receives information, inbox messages, photographs, and tantalizing and clever jokes, cartoons and odd health tips--Oil Pulling Anyone?   


There were a few strange moments this morning during my mounting mourning routine.  I went to my laptop...turned it on..closed down the Facebook automatic search notification, turned to my email, CBC news, SaskObits, SaskJobs, and Sask Roads..and finally Twitter..a poor Facebook second.  No notification scanning to be done, no in box messages to be read and answered, no bit of Facebook stalking done this morning.  No attempt at clever comments on my status, no thought of choosing a new Facebook Cover or Profile Picture.


  No.  Nothing like that at all.  Simple information gathering from impersonal sources...radio included.


There is without a doubt a sense of loss, a sense of dread, and an unease that is probably connected to chemicals  in my body doing 'their thing' as one habit is replaced by another no matter what that habit is--healthy or unhealthy.


So for the rest of this 'One Day At A Time' day I will have to make new choices to connect with others, gain information, and  perhaps find enjoyment from something not digital-- the way I used to a mere 5 years ago.


 

"Render unto Caesar" Mark 12:17

It is that time of year again.


No, I am not referring to that time to start plants in little peat pots in hopes to get a jump on the summer garden...
                       although for some it is.


No, I am not referring to the time of year to start planning summer vacations....
                      although for some it is.


No, I am not referring even to the time of year when one starts to Spring Clean...
                       although for some it is.


I am referring to TAX TIME.


The time when grown adults, who often have well paying jobs, who are usually responsible, law abiding, compassionate citizens turn into a form of rascally petty thieves whose sole goal is to deny central government of even $1 of extra cash. 


   

The emotions that surround the filling and filing of income tax forms either personally or with the help of a professional range from panic, guilt, desperation, and fear, prompted primarily by out and out lying either by omission or action. I have actually seen people get in a disgusted rage when referring to their  henceforth fired accountant who actually suggested that they have to PAY money at tax time.    Receipts are hoarded, gas bills padded, expense accounts justified. 


 The morals and ethics of every citizen in Canada is exposed at Tax time.  People who would never ever think of shop lifting, cheating on their spouses, or driving away from a 'bumper thumper' will without conscience or hesitation try to claim the dog food bought for their Chiwawa  as a security expense for their business  or  submit lunch bills  for their uncle's funeral as tax write offs.


I believe I have a bit of an odd attitude to Income Tax.  It comes from the fact that for several years neither I nor my husband  did not have to pay anything into the government  tax coffers.


 Ten years to be exact. 


 These years of absent income tax payments were not a product of careful accounting, deceitful declaration of income, or even choice. It was  simply a time of low income, almost unbearably low.


It is from that experience that I take great pride in being able to say that 'Yes, I have to pay income tax."  For me, being able to pay income tax means that I am a contributing member of society who has earned a right to voice my opinion on how tax dollars are spent and  on whom they are spent. 


I love that  I  can drive down the paved road to my place of work to earn money that is taxed so that I may count on trustworthy policing, good education for our young people, be cared for by an educated and ethical medical profession, and enjoy cultural activities ranging from hockey to listening to live symphony.


  My country is a thriving and respected entity in the world that promotes peace and respect for all no matter what religion, race, or cultural background and the reason for this is because of regular citizens' tax dollars being spent carefully and with the goals of excellence in mind.


So to those who whine or try to cheat on their Income Tax Returns  because they are expected to contribute to the well being of the Best Country in the World  I say Shame on You.


 I wish them all the best when the next big issue arises in their tax time trials--


                                  ---that  being the  AUDIT.