guest blog #3: How not to suck as a patient!

Note from Nikolett: I've been taken to a state where I don't even have time to log in to blogger to put up a new guest blog! Can't wait until these next two weeks are over (though hopefully by late next week I'll be back and ready for action)! First guest blog was about witty quotes about coffee and conquering dragons; second guest blog was a key on how to be like Lady Gaga with some very fashionable pieces; and now we have a tidbit post from *Notes From The Toothfairy*, who is adorable and always a pleasure to read. Since she is a dentist, she though she'd share ways on how not to suck as a patient at the dentist! Thank you (I think I do most of these haha).

BOOH!
Hey, it's Shirley aka The Toothfairy from *Notes from the Toothfairy*! I'm guest posting for our lovely Nikolett, because she needs times to focus on school. We all know how not cool, but yet important school is, so send her some luck, everyone!

After reading this post, you'll know how to act or not act as a patient at the dentist.
This knowledge is all gathered from my own experience, working as a dentist for almost 2 years.

Read on, and learn!

Try to brush your teeth before the appointment

Not a must, but absolutely a pre. Even if you don't brush your teeht on a regular base (yes, these people exist), please try to do so when you have to attend to a dental appointment. I don't think I have to explain how disgusting it is, working in a mouth that is not clean.

Try to come on time

Appointments are made for a reason. Dentists work on quite a strict schedule. IF all patients come one time, there's a lower chance for us to be behind this schedule. Meaning you don't have to wait so long. True, most of the time, we do run behind time, but there's always a reason for that, we don't like it either. It's really giving us more pressure and stress. So please, bear with us.

Do not bring cookies or candy

No brainer you might think. Well, apparently not to all human beings out there, because I've seen it many many times. Patients even let their kids eat them in the examination room, while I'm watching them... Just to remind you.

Do not bring McDonalds either

No brainer as well. Like I said before, this is all based on my own experiences. The times (is 2) I've caught a patient eating McD in the waiting room, I had my assistent to ask them to brush their teeth. Not being rude, but I'm just not a fan of picking meat and fries between the teeth.

Do try to spit in the spittoon
This means not on the wall, not on the floor, and not in the garbage can either. I know, it's hard sometimes, because your mouth is numb. But please, please try to spit properly. It's no fun for the assistents to wipe your spit of the wall. My assistent is darling enough to do so, but I know other collegues, who will give you a tissue and ask you politely to clean the wall yourself. LOL
I'm not brave enough for that...

Pay your bills

You work for your money, we work for our money. You don't work for free, well, we don't like to work for free either. You might think, it's easy money, working as a dentist. Big money, doing some check ups and all.
I can tell you this is not the case. The job is both physically and mentally heavy. My back, neck and shoulders are hurting, and my left hand might need operation due to overburdening.
 

So, do not ignore your bills, it's not cool. If you can't pay, just try to get some arrangement, so that you can pay in smaller parts. But please, pay the bills!

Remember, we're not here to hurt you

Last but not least! Dentists are scary people. I understand that, I'm scared of them too. Therefore, we (or at least, I) will always try my very very best to comfort you and put you at ease. Try to trust us! It will work out just fine. Smile..

Hope you've learned something from this... Haha!
Love my job, a lot of dentists do too. So don't be afraid to go come see us, we're here to help you!

Good luck to Nikolett on her school things!

Loves,
Shirley
*Notes from the Toothfairy*


pic credit: weheartit

Can't believe people bring McDonald's to the dentist, haha! But thank you for the lucky Shirley, and everyone make sure to check out her blog for amazing pictures and personal stories! Hope you've all had a great and more relaxing week than I have :)