Thursday 21 July 2011

What Have I Learned Today?

Today I learned that sitting and holding your eight year old's hand while she has a tooth pulled is a very unpleasant experience and one that I do not wish to repeat - ever! I feel so bad for Emily because this has been a situation that has been largely out of her control.

While we were on the Isle of Wight I was thrilled to finally get them signed with a dentist because that was like gold dust around this area before we left. The first dentist I found on the island was a nightmare. We had a major falling out. It could have been me taking offence at him taking one look in my daughters' mouths and stating, 'It is obvious that these children are on a very bad diet.' Or maybe it was when he told me (and them because they were there, after all) that I was better off giving them coca cola than juice. And then he refused to treat Emily because of my 'attitude'. Either way, a complaint was lodged with the NHS and it was followed through by them. Small satisfaction can be found in that fact, but I still needed a dentist.

I found another one. Helen's teeth were fine, no fillings required (not bad for someone who was obviously on such a bad diet). Emily needed two small fillings done. He did them. End of story.

Well, not quite. Fast forward to last summer, after our return to the mainland, and Emily getting a tooth ache. It turns out that one of the fillings had not been done properly and while the tooth looked fine it had been slowly rotting away underneath. Major dental work required. Then repeat the whole procedure for the filling on the other side a month later, while we were on holiday.

Which brings us to today. There was always doubt whether those two teeth would make the distance until her adult teeth were ready to come in. Today one of those poor teeth finally reached the end of its usefullness. And I held Emily's hand while she trembled and whimpered. Not a good day.

I shall end this post on a good note. Here are the latest two blocks I have done for the Farmer.

No. 61 - Northern Lights
No. 48 - Homeward Bound
Tomorrow will be a better day than today. It is the last day of the school year. They have a disco. And I have bought them sushi for their lunch. That is enough to make it a good day. I am looking forward to it.

Susan

18 comments:

  1. Oh, poor girl! It's such a good thing that kids bounce back so quickly isn't it. And discos are a wonderful cure all :-)
    Love your blocks too, the farmer will be pleased :-)

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  2. Well the less said the better about British dental care..it`s hardly our proudest moment. Poor Emily...I`m sure she is getting lots of cuddles and it will all be a distant memory soon. Blocks are looking good!

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  3. What a horrible thought - trembling and whimpering! I've spent a deal of time at the dentists this week, including some trembling and a litle bit of whimpering I might add, and I didn't even have a tooth out! Brave girl

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  4. Oh poor thing...I hope the sushi cheers her up and that the whole ordeal is soon forgotten.

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  5. The blocks look great. Hope Emily is feeling better soon, both of mine have had to have teeth out and it is horrible for them, and for you, who cant do anything to help them!

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  6. I confess to not liking dentists much (sorry but I had to have lots of teeth taken out when little - mouth too small apparently???) so I sympathise with Emily and you Susan.

    Love the blocks though!

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  7. Oh sometimes it's so hard to be a mummy. Poor you, poor Emily. Dentists aren't controlled in the same way as the rest of the health service and there seem to be so many bad eggs amongst the few good dentists. I'm glad your day ended on a high but it sounds a horrible experience for all. Hugs.

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  8. Do you think my 6 year old will hold my hand at the dentist next week?!

    Roll on this time tomorrow!!

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  9. I know that feeling. You wish you could go through it for them.

    Great progress with the Farmer's Wife blocks.
    I am wondering what they would look like in painted fabrics!
    Deborah

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  10. Oh poor pipsqueak! Hope she's feeling better about it all now the troublesome tooth is gone. And sushi will be a breeze for her :) Here comes summer! Yayyy!

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  11. Poor Emily - I really hate going to the dentist (pathetically scared of them!) and I think she was really brave today. I had quite a few teeth extracted when I was little - in the days when they gassed you at the surgery - and I once slapped the dental nurse whilst I was in recovery! (I don't respond well to anaesthetics...) I hope her gap heals quickly - enjoy the holidays!

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  12. oh poor Emily I hope her mouth feels better very soon. I'm not sure how useful I'd be holding someones hand at the dentist since I'm the world's most squeamish person. I would obviously do it for my kids but they might have to help pick me up off the floor afterwards!

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  13. Huge hug for Emily, I'd say that I would be whimpering too, but then I'm not brave enough to go near a dentist... Lovely blocks!

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  14. Aw poor wee pet! My daughter is terrified of dentists and she's the one who's had to have the teeth out - not fun! And it's just as hard on the mummys too! Get your wine out, you deserve it! Jxo

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  15. I could only look at your blocks (which are fabulous by the way ) because I saw the word dentist in your opening paragraph. How's that for being brave?

    Hope whoever went to the D is all better now...see I cant even really write the word -Im so chickenshit...

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  16. I really feel for you, just such a nightmare. My daughter was so frightened by a dentist she wouldn't go. We have found a wonderful dentist now but he is private and uses laughing gas, her last filling (2 years ago) she giggled her way through!

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  17. That's too bad about the teeth -- and a shame about a bad dentist, or rather two bad dentists. I have to confess that they all seem to be so good at making one feel guilty (didn't floss enough, didn't brush enough, too much coffee, etc.) -- must be part of their training.

    Love the two blocks, especially Northern Lights.

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  18. Poor Emily! Having teeth pulled is awful! Great job on the blocks though!

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