Smilin’ Big

Yesterday was a big day for Silje and David. They got to go to the dentist for the first time. Well, they saw a dental hygienist, but not an actual dentist. You see, there is a dental hygienist school just under an hour from us, and you can get your teeth cleaned and x-rays for $25. ($18 for kids). So Knut and the kids all had an appointment, and since they wanted me to help with the kids, I have to go back next week for my appointment.

Both Silje and David were pretty nervous, as they had never gone before, but Silje heard some good reports from girls at school about the prizes at the end, so she went pretty willingly with her hygienist student, who pretty much looked like “dental hygienist Barbie.” Off she went, and I didn’t even need to go with her.

David however, crawled under my chair in the waiting room, in attempt to hide from anyone even thinking of looking in his mouth. Knut was called up next, and David got even more nervous.

So when it was just him and me, I started telling him about all the cool tools they had back there. His interest was perked at the idea of tools, and then his hygienist came out, and saw he was nervous. So she started telling him about the tools too, and when she mentioned she had a squirt gun with water that he could use, he thought there might be more to this dental hygienist school than meets the eye.

So David and I walked back, and first was x-rays. He was elated with the “elevator chair” and although he gagged a few times while they tried putting the film in, he was a trooper. We told him it was going to take a picture of his teeth, and it was so cute how he tried to smile so big when he was clamping down on the film, and we left the room for the picture to be taken. He knew you were supposed to smile for pictures.

David got to pick out some cool sunglasses, and sat down on another “elevator chair” to get his teeth counted. The student checked his teeth, then the instructor did. Then we had to redo one of the x-rays, and then she cleaned his teeth. While she was cleaning, she let David hold the instrument that squirts water in your mouth, and gave him permission to squirt her gown whenever she tickled him. He really like that, and I loved seeing his little hands get ready for a big squirt, and a smile would creep onto his wide open mouth.

They used “cookie dough” flavored toothpaste, or polish…whatever the term is when she cleaned using the rotating brush. I’m trying to figure out how in the world they got “cookie dough” flavor into a toothpaste.

Then they did a fluoride treatment, which is basically painted on, and he wasn’t too fond of. He was getting pretty antsy by then, and was moving his legs like he had ants in his pants. Little boys aren’t meant to lay still that long!

Through it all, he told her all about dinosaurs, and living on a farm, and having an older sister and younger brother. They had a great old time. Although I think they did a fantastic job, we got there at 1pm, and left at 3:30pm. It took a long time! However, we got some super gentle, eager to prove themselves hygienists, and instructors checking their work after each step to insure it was being done correctly, so in the end, I was very pleased!

Silje and Knut left with no cavities, but David has 2. They are in his far back teeth that he’ll have until he is 10 or so, so we have to take him to a real dentist to get them filled, so the cavities don’t start eating away at the adult teeth below. So they gave me a copy of his x-rays, so we wouldn’t have to get them done again at the dentists, and sent us on our way.

All in all, I’m pretty convinced that dental schools rock, and I’m so glad that both kids did so well! They came home with bags full of dental treats from dolphin and “Cars” toothbrushes, toothpaste, stickers, floss, etc. They got a tour of the place, right down to the dark room that the x-rays are developed in. Then they got to watch a movie while they waited for Knut’s hygienist to finish. All in all, a very good experience, and the kids are already asking when they should go back.