Samantha's first blog

Posted By pamelamyers on November 2, 2013

With all the trick or treat talk, I totally forgot that Sam had a dentist appointment a few days before Halloween. Not my happiest day, taking her to the dentist. I have posted in the past about the joy that it is (NOT) so I wasn’t looking forward to taking her for her latest appointment. I didn’t tell her in advance, I never do, but sprung it on her at home not long before we had to leave. When I told her where we had to go, she immediately burst into tears. Huge, gulping tears. I tried my best to calm Sam down, reminded her that it was not as bad as she thought it would be the last time, and yes, again resorted to bribery. I promised Sam a very special treat for her if she was a good girl and didn’t cry and let the dentist do her work. Eventually, she did calm down and promised me she would try to be brave and not cry. I always tell her if she wants to scream and cry when we get back to the car, that is ok and I will hug her and comfort her as long as she likes.

The last time we went, it was the best time thus far. They let me lie in the chair with her on top of me so I was essentially holding her the whole time.  She asked me if we would do that again and I told her we could. This time, they really wanted her to sit in the chair on her own because, now that she is 4, they want x-rays. Obviously, I can’t be there for that. It took her a long time to relax while I waited in the area of the hallway behind the exam chair. I have to give the staff credit, the woman who was in charge of the x-rays was very patient and talked and talked to Sam, but finally, I had to basically threaten to leave if Sam didn’t cooperate. Thankfully, she finally did and they managed to get two good x-rays. There are a few others they like to take, but the technician was so happy that Sam let her do the two she did, that she said it was enough this time.

While we waited for the hygienist to come in, Sam reminded me that I said she could sit on my lap. I told her we would try it this way, with her in the chair like a big girl, and I would hold her hand. I sat on a stool right next to her holding her hand and I have to say, she was so brave. She made me really proud. They completed the whole exam, the cleaning, the fluoride treatment, the flossing, the whole thing, and she didn’t make a peep. Sam picked out all of her little trinkets from the prize bin and off we went. She got a clean bill of dental health! Once again, the dentist noted that her teeth are close together so they recommend we floss, but that was it. Her teeth looked great.

Later that day, I went to her school and was the special reader for her class. When I saw the sign up sheet a few weeks ago, I purposely picked that day, knowing that having me show up in her class would be a sure thing to cheer her up on a hard day. She was all smiles while I read one of her favorite books. It turned out to be a pretty good day after all. Sam always amazes me. She is really growing up. And the biggest shock, she never once mentioned her special present that I promised to give her!

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