I Brought Floss to the Dentist's Office Recently...
And to my surprise, it DID lighten the mood when I broke the news, that "no, I haven't been flossing as much as I could".
That's why this article specifically goes out to Tatum Creek Family Dentistry. Located at:
or by telephone, between:
Monday 7AM-4PM
Tuesday-Thursday 7AM-5PM
Friday 7AM-2PM
Provided Services | More Contact | Meet The Team | Read Reviews
I FEEL SAFE, I FEEL TRUST.
"You have great teeth, with low risk of decay", said Melinda Kennedy, a Registered Dental Hygienist, as she diligently took the plunge into my salivating orifice. Yes, it is disgusting [to some]. Melinda congeals a passion that is prevalent and permeable. I felt an undeniable knack for her curiosity about life & science as she divulged her home, work, and social life in a mere, casual conversation.
I'm usually not one to talk (especially with tools in my mouth), enjoy the dentist, or relax. I'll put it this way, I felt like a crocodile on a spa day in there. When the little birds pick the food out of the teeth? Yes, that's it! I had my shoulders down, smiling, laughing, telling jokes. It's the reason I am taking time out of my precious life and writing this article right now. People need to know who to trust and where to go.
Good people deserve good things for doing good things.
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| Tatum Creek Family Dentistry | Image Source: mapquest.com |
It was nothing out of the ordinary, a standard-6-month-check-up. I've been there before, but this time I felt excited to go in. I don't think I realized how happy I was until I walked into Suite #100 and said "Wow, it smells incredible in here." I picked up a Car-and-Driver magazine and smiled intensively scanning through the pages with a nose full of warm-candle-wax scent. Something I imagined to be the color of a blue-pine evergreen, not because of the scent but because of the fresh, clean feeling that overcame my sensory on arrival.
Even yet, I was greeted by a warmer smile at the front desk by a soft, caring voice that could put a complete stranger at ease. Life is beautiful when I rejoice in the range of emotional possibilities. Kindhearted-souls also make me realize it quicker and more-often. They are there to help, you can see it in their eyes, you can hear it in their voice, and being human is felt and understood comprehensively. They get it.
Also, T.C.F.D. does a fantastic job scheduling, and reminding forgetful people, like myself, they have an appointment coming. They offer a generous 48-hour window to cancel in case life gets in the way. Confirming appointments is as easy as pressing a button on a keyboard. They're so on-top-of their stuff, they called me to see if I wanted to come in earlier, because they found themselves at least an hour AHEAD of schedule before 10AM. So, I had the opportunity to cross something off MY list earlier as well. Win-Win.
I usually find myself [at other places] sitting in a bland waiting room as the secretary comes out to apologize for a third time because they're "[always] running a few minutes behind."
I only got to read a half-page of that Car and Driver before I was set up with my cool, new drool bib. Haha.
To reiterate, the dentist's is a place people go to get:
- their teeth scratched
- holes drilled
- small buzzsaws put in their mouth
- gums poked
- uncomfortable questions asked
- told they need repair or else
Not here, no. I hope I never have to move or leave because this made me feel the opposite. Normally, I'd have my toes curled into a potato in my shoes as a sleepy staff member lazily scratches the surface; repeatedly slipping the small metal, scythe-like blade in to my gums as they dream of more coffee, lunch, and going home - all before 9AM.
It must have been the first time I've ever let my guard down when it comes to the dentist's office. I didn't feel a wince of pain. If I were a wee-bit younger, it definitely would have been deserving of a toy-chest visit at the end of the appointment. (Which, for all you reading this with little ones, I heard they recently re-stocked with some serious loot they'll love.)
THE MAN WITH THE PLAN
Last but not least, Jeffrey "Jeff" Tuller, DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) deserves an award for his memory, first and foremost. We briefly spoke last time for a matter of, I'd say less than, 10 minutes. He took one look at my backpack, recognized the fishing lure I had attached to the zipper on a key-chain- and continued the conversation as if 6 months didn't just span our last talk. Incredible.
Then, he gave me the rundown on everything we needed to discuss, really helped me understand everything I threw at him, and eased my stress about something that had been bothering me for months. Genuine, wholesome people that care about you and what you do, while being professional, transparent, and passionate about what they do.
I am in no other way affiliated with this business. I made this page to share with my local friend-sidents who prefer a hand-writtentyped recommendation. I am always on the Nextdoor app seeing people ask for new dentists in the area. Usually they are new residents, just moved, or have a fun horror tale to share about their last experience. Either way, you won't find any horror here, unless they hand you the mirror and you see the sweet set of shades you get to sport with every visit. Just kidding, if there's anyone that could pull those off it's you.
