Going Off to School

When my kids were young, since they were born so close together, there was a time when they were both in diapers and both had bottles.  Thank goodness my mother in law was around to help me out otherwise my daughter would be an only child! I used to ask my patients that are seasoned parents , "Does it get better? When does this end? They say it gets better, right?"
They would look at me, pause to compose their thoughts then answer with a laugh, "Whoever THEY were; lied to you!"
"Oh my gosh!  It doesn't get better? Not even when the kids are older?"
They register the panic in my expression, "Uh, hmmm. What I meant to say was; Different age, different issues."
Well, OK, that certainly sounds a little better.

Back then, as babies,  it was potty training, trying to get them to sleeping through the night, etc... Now as teens it's SAT exams, drama with friends, and college choices.  I see what they say by DIFFERENT age, DIFFERENT issues.

Next year, both of my kids will be in high school and soon enough, heading to college.
This new article is about my "Dental Kids". Read and enjoy!

Going Off to School

One of the things I love best about being a dentist is that I see a lot of patients grow up in front of my eyes.  This is the time of the year when some of the patients that I’ve been treating since they were young are getting college acceptance letters. For the past few months, their nervous mothers are not turning into proud mothers as their children are accepted into colleges of their choice. Some will be close by, others will go far away.

As their “Dental Mom”, I am proud of my “Dental Kids” as well but I am also nervous if they are going far away for college.  There is a trend that I have observed in kids.  While they are living at home and under the care of their parents, they come every 6 months for an exam, x rays and a cleaning. Small cavities are fixed right away.  When they go away for college, the only times I see them would be during holidays when their mothers set the appointments ahead for them. Sometimes I don’t see them because they would be busy during the holidays as well.  This would go on for at least 4 years, sometimes longer if they are away for graduate school.  I would ask about how they are doing when their moms come in for their appointments. The next time I see them would be when they start their first job.  After chatting with them and catching up, we do a full exam, full x rays and that’s when I usually give the bad news.  You have cavities or you have gum disease. Their shoulders droop and they look so sad. No longer are they a confident young adult with a new job sitting in my chair, they look like a sad little puppy that’s done something wrong. 

Thank goodness it’s not a lot of cavities and I am able to fix them up in 1 visit.
Beginning gum disease can be fixed as well with regular cleanings.  No need to take off from your new job many times to fix your teeth. 

Before you know it, my “Dental Kid” is smiling again. He puts back on his suit jacket and picks up his briefcase.  As he leaves, he says, “You know, Dr Lee, I’ve been coming to you since I was a little kid and after all these years, you still look the same!”  What a good child! That’s the best thing this “Dental Mom” has heard all day!