PSA from a dentist’s daughter
As I look at this picture I think of all the progress that has been made in the dental field. As a daughter, grand-daughter and great grand-daughter I am proud to be part of this profession and see that the future is bright.
I remember stories that my dad has told me about growing up with his dad, Ed, regarding dentistry. This picture is not a joke. Not only is he not wearing a lead vest, nobody leaves the room while the X-rays are taken. My dad used to go to the shoe store and for fun they would put their feet in the x-ray machine to see their toe bones. They used play hide and seek in the fog made by the DEET trucks while spraying for insects.
My dad tells stories of what extractions were like back when my grandfather was practicing just after the Korean war, a shot of whiskey for the patient and a shot of whiskey for the dentist and out out the tooth would come. He also used to have an ashtray in the operatory so he could have somewhere to place his lit cigarette while he did his dental exam.
I grew up with a scary dental chair in my basement that as kids we loved to ride up and down and up and down. It looks very similar to the chair in this picture. I remember designing haunted houses across the street and one day my dad let me borrow his uncle’s skull. Because everyone has one of those in their house. It ended up getting broken during the haunted house production and I felt so bad that his uncle’s skull was cracked. (turned out it was not his uncle’s skull, but a skull that his uncle had owned for research, person’s name unknown), thankfully and much less morose.
So with these stories I find moments to laugh. As I be me and pursue the things I love, I am encouraged in the advances in dentistry. I want to tell everyone to not give up on your dreams, even if you have been told it is impossible. Get inspired to move forward in the pursuit of your dreams. Be unrealistic, connect with people, reach out for help and conversation. Do not apologize for not having everything put together. Sometimes a scattered approach may work also. Many times it is our only choice.
Most importantly, As my friend Melissa stated,
Take a moment. Sit back. Marvel at your life.
Marvel that your grief has softened you. At the heartaches that have made you wise.
At the suffering that has strengthened you.
