Can we become too attached to our Dentists?
I could feel every scrape of the hygienist’s tools on my teeth. My mind seemed more sensitive. I remembered why people do not like going to dentists. There is a lot of junk thrown into your mouth and it is not food.
My tongue was fighting with every foreign instrument that invaded its space. Several times I thought I was going to gag.
I mentioned it to the hygienist when she had finished. She apologised though said she didn’t do anything different. I replied that I come differently every time. Maybe I am more sensitive, maybe I am more anxious.
The Dentist always the more calming influence on me informed me that a crown had chipped and a cavity had formed on the adjoining tooth. I didn’t like to hear that. It means I am back in 2 weeks for the cavity to be filled with £131 pounds of work.
Dental appointments always knock my routine and I am not great at my routines being knocked. I compensate myself after by taking Cee for something to eat after.
We were sitting in the cafe and we were discussing whether we go to an NHS Dentist who charges minimum rates. Our Dentist charges me private rates and Cee as an under 18 gets NHS rates. We were informed that as she is turning 18 soon she will be treated as a private patient.
I joined this practice 19 years ago when it opened as an NHS practice. The Dentist I had before had decided to go from being NHS to private, I decided to leave. It was after maybe 2 years that my current practice decided to go private. As someone who values relationships I decided to remain although it was against my principle that I should pay private rates.
Cee commented that two of her circle were like me and felt a loyalty to people like dentists. She offered that people who get attached quickly to others feel a greater sense of loyalty. For her it was a question of, “If it is about the money go to the NHS dentist, change.”
I knew of the two kids she had in mind and could see a similarity I share, they seek connections outside their home. Made me wonder that if we invest more than the ‘the attached average’ we feel a greater loss when we decide to move on.
I was impressed with Cee’s observation as she made me think when we have secure attachments we are less bothered about change whereas when we have insecure attachments we place greater significance on those we attach ourselves to even if they are fee-paying dentists.
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