The Dentist

So today I went to the dentist for the first time in two years. I did not think much of it, except I hate the drilling sound. However I think that since I have been getting my nails done I have grown accustomed to the noise, it is not as scary as it used to be.
I have dreaded dental visits because I have been scrutinized for having a medical condition, a previous dentist questioned me extensively about it. I felt at that time I was judged, so I avoided the dental visit for at least six years. However, two years ago, I ended up with a broken tooth due to lack of dental treatment. I was so humiliated, here I am an HIV educator and expressed to my clients the need to maintain their dental care and I had a broken tooth. So, I worked my way through the insurance system and found the dentist very near to me. She was great, did a root canal and crowned that tooth, with no shame or questions! So last week, I went back, but the first dentist I visited was not there, she had built her practice and sold the business, smart woman!
Today I was not prepared to have dental work, I went assuming an examination would occur and then schedule any procedure for later. However, I was able to get in and get it done today. The dentist gave me laughing gas, never have I had laughing gas. As a recovery addict, I fear anything that would feel too good, and this was a good feeling drug. The dentist said it calmed down her patients, because most people had dental work, I am not alone. I was a little tipsy, but I noticed that the dentist and her assistant were laughing more than me! I told her, with my swollen tongue and huge lips, 'I think the gas is for you, not me.' The dentist thought that was cute!
So two hours later, I had an extremely swollen mouth, a tongue that didn't work, lips that were extremely big, and my teeth cleaned with two cavities filled! Whew!
I did not think that the system could work that fast, and it was less than $75 for the entire services.
Thank you Crown Dental and Dr. K. Lee.