Posted by leeran on April 29, 2003, at 12:00:17
In reply to Out of sight, in your mind. » leeran, posted by Eddie Sylvano on April 29, 2003, at 9:18:28
Eddie,
You hit every nail on the head with that post!
Example: If I have a good day, it's proof that I'm just being silly on the bad ones.
Luckily, my husband doesn't view it this way - but I understand exactly what you're saying. Last night I managed to prepare a meal that involved six different dishes. Some nights I don't feel capable of throwing a bag of chips on the table. It seems every day is a roll of the emotional dice.
Regarding the dentist . . . it's taken me years to find one I could actually like. I don't know why, but my experience with dentists has typically been negative. I often feel like they are using guilt (my issue completely, but I don't ever feel the same way with doctors) or fear to encourage me to act in certain ways.
Pictures of teeth falling out next to a picture that says "Your Smile Says Everything About You" strikes me as "fear marketing." I'm sure this is because the dental profession and dental care is based on good maintenance/habits and the best way to goad people into that is a fear based approach. Of course, I remember the days (as a child) when the dentist didn't use any form of anesthetic and the only brake I had was my left arm raising in protest.
When I asked this dentist (yesterday) about the condition of my teeth in general (waiting for the other shoe to drop, expecting the news that I'm two weeks away Polident and creamed corn) he said "it looks like you take very good care of your teeth, keep up the good job." I sat straight up in the chair and gushed with gratitude.
Positive reinforcement goes a lot further I suppose. Now, he is still going to get an enormous chunk of change from me (us) but somehow I don't feel bad about it (or moreover, apprehensive about the next appointment).
Eddie, I hope you can find a dentist you like and trust. I won't even say "someone who is reasonably priced" because that would be pushing it.
Thanks again for your input. I really appreciate it.
Lee
poster:leeran
thread:223074
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030426/msgs/223161.html