I got a letter today. My name and address were hand written (slightly erroneously, but no matter) and it felt like there was a card inside: perhaps an invitation to something interesting?
Eagerly, I tore open the envelope and found… a reminder from my dentist to say it’s six months since my last appointment. Boo!
On the bright side though, it’s not really six months. It’s a trick I played on myself. I asked my dentist’s receptionist to send me the reminder two months early because a) It takes me that long to force myself to make an appointment and b) I really should go three times a year, for the health of my gums. If I go before the end of the year, I will have been three times this year.
BUT. I. AM. NOT. GOING. IN. OCTOBER!
The Crayon Files 
i totally understand this and am the same. clowns and dentists are my greatest fears. my dentist’s office has a giant “FEAR!” written on my file, i’m quite sure of it.
My late dad was a dentist, and I used to find his surgery a comforting place…when I didn’t have to be the patient, of course. Dental surgeries don’t have that distinctive smell any more that they used to have. Dad would spring a dental exam on me when I was least expecting it, perhaps just thinking I’d do my homework in his office while he finished the patients for the day. That way, I didn’t have to think about it before it happened. It was really hard for me to go to someone else after my dad died, because my dad had done my teeth all my life. In fact, I let it slip for five years…which was very silly because I then needed a huge amount of work.
ah, so you’ve seen a totally different side of it than i have. when i was a child, i went to a dentist that did not use novocaine and the fear has always stayed with me. the dentist i have now, is the kindest, gentlest, most patient person ever and it really helps. (along with her whole office)
I too now have the loveliest, kindest dentist who knows my fears. Same with his assistant and receptionist, who have been the same people all the time I have been going there (since 2009). But still, the dental appointment lurks on the horizon, menacing and taunting. I am never so happy as when I get up out of the chair and the dentist says, “See you in six months”. By the way, although my dad was a dentist himself, he didn’t like going to the dentist and even did one of his own temporary fillings. I kid you not!
wow!
I think you should just go and get it over with. Much better than anticipating with dread for a couple of months. 🙂
You’re probably right. But I work my way up to it now like a little ritual.