Why we love our Dentist

A few weeks ago we got an invitation to our Dentists annual Patient Appreciation party. I have never had a dentist who "appreciated" his patients with a party, but then again I have never had a dentist quite like mine. He was a counselor in the bishopric when we moved to Spanish Fork. Just moving to a new area we had the need to find a new dentist - and there one was conducting Sacrament meeting. So I checked our insurances website to make sure he was on our "preferred Provider" list and then called his office to find out if he was taking new patients - luckily he was so we joined the Dr. Jones, Ford and Hillaim family.

That was about 7 years ago. The first time I went was a little uncomfortable. It was a really nice place - and we aren't "really nice" people. I was afraid we were going to be escorted out. But they took us in and not only cleaned our teeth but made us their friends. It didn't take long for the kids to look forward to dentist visits like they do their birthdays. When we get the little appointment reminder postcards in the mail the kids start the countdown. "How many more days till we get to go to the dentist", they ask on an hourly basis. "Bless that we can we go to the dentist in 8 more days" is included in the nightly prayers. There was a time when Dallin wasn't brushing - at all - so that he could get some cavities so he could go twice in 6 months.

Rachel just recently came of age and got to experience her first dental visit. She was beside herself with excitement. The other kids had prepped her well and you'd have a hard time distinguishing what would excite her more - the dentist or a trip to Disneyland. Her appointment was all she dreamed it would be and more - she thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to go back. So whats so great about our dentist.

First of all when you walk in the door one of the lovely assistants, in coordinating clothes, magically comes into the waiting room to greet you and each of your kids by name. They always compliment you on how good you look and quietly congratulate you (me at least) on how much weight you have lost and give you a hug. If I had really lost all the weight they have alluded to over the years the scale would read a negative number - but still they say it - and I drink it in. I have wondered if they have hidden cameras in the parking lot so that they can see you get out of your car -then quickly find your file, look through it referencing the pictures they secretly took of you while they had you in the x-ray machine that spins around your head taking pictures of you at every angle. They use the pictures to remember your name past weight, and other interesting facts they had gleaned from you at your last visit- as you tried the best you could to answer their questions through their hand as it sat in your mouth.

After greeting and flattering you they either invite you back or if they aren't quite ready for you they invite you to read a magazine or enjoy their beautiful shark tank while you sip an ice cold water while you wait. Periodically someone comes through to "check" on you and make sure you haven't gotten thirsty and aren't ready for more water.

Once back in the examining room after you are comfortabley seated, your preference of music has been established and put on the ipod they start the cleaning by having you rinse with mouth wash. It is this antibacterial stuff that smells minty fresh. I think this is for their comfort more than yours but they never allude to it. They then take your blood pressure - for what I am not sure. Then they start in on the x-rays and cleaning. When the hygienist, mine is Enid, is all finished scraping the 6 inch layer of tarter off your teeth, flourideing you up and marveling at how amazing you are for being able to brush your teeth at all - since you are so busy with all your beautiful children - she quietly and kindly hints how wonderful it would be if you could try to brush your teeth everyday. She then uses the tiny little microphone attached to the "color of the day" blouse that she and all the other assistants are wearing to summon the Dr.

Dr. Jones quickly comes in and starts in on the compliments again, and then gives you a run down of the "tiny" little cavities in your kids' mouth that he will take care of for them. While doing this he is giving you a neck massage which doubles for a cancer of the neck, jaw and tongue check. Finding you lump free he scans the x-ray pictures that magically appear on the big screen in front of you. He then compliments you on how good your teeth are and wonders if you would like any of your old silver fillings switched for nice new composite ones. After he is all done he thanks you and leaves the assistant to clean you up. She discreetly wipes any saliva that may have escaped your mouth, ran down your cheek and pooled in your neck. She then offers you one of their sample lipsticks in a wide variety of color (I believe this is only for the women - as Rick has never been offered a lipstick touch up). After you are all taken care of she walks you over to talk to Linda - the billing lady who once again marvels at how wonderful you look and how good it is to see you and then tells you she is not worried about your bill because your insurance will probably pay the whole thing.

Linda then walks you to the waiting room where an assistant is waiting to offer you a cold, juice or water, a warm cookie from the otis "something or other" cookie oven, or another healthy snack (animal crackers, goldfish crackers, pretzels or vanilla wafers) served in clear little plastic cups. This last part is the kids favorite. They love to get the little cans of apple juice several cups full of crackers and a cookie to munch on as soon as the time on clock matches the time on their "I had fluoride today - wait until _____ to eat" sticker that is on their shirt. They don't mind the wait to eat because they are busy playing with the prizes they got to choose out of the treasure chest or dreaming of what they are going to buy with their Toys R Us gift certificate the dr sends them when they have all the boxes on their teeth brushing chart filled in. We then go home and wait another 6 months till we can do it all over again.

If that wasn't enough they also host a yearly party to show their great appreciation for having you as a patient so that your insurance company sends them a lot of money. Last year their party was in the summer at 7 Peaks - this year they choose to do a Fall party at Hee Haws. I have never been to Hee Haws - it is a farm they convert to "one of Utah Counties favorite Fall and Halloween destination". Notably it is also home of Leroy the famous 1200 lb pig. We didn't get to see Leroy but the kids did chase and sometimes catch some cute little piglets.

They had dinner, hay rides, a corn mazes, and lots of other fun little farm themed activities. Such as the corn pit - a big box (like a sand box) full of kernels of corn for the kids to dig in and mostly throw at each other. They also had several slides made out of pipes and other things you might find on a farm. Then there was the barnyard - one of the kids favorite. They had pigs, goats, chickens and ducks for you to pet, chase and pick up. Rachel loved to carry the chickens around.

They also had ride - kind of like a carousel with swings attached that went in a circle. It was like those things you seen mules attached to that have to walk in a circle so they turn some lever to do something. I actually have no understanding of how it works- you just see it on shows like Little house on the prairie. Anyway the kids loved it - and it did look like a lot of fun. The most amazing part is that a woman had to push it. She gets all the kids seated in a swing and strapped in then she goes to the center of the turning thing holds onto the bar and starts running around in a circle. I felt really sorry for her -she was huffing and puffing and bright red but she kept on running - around and around pushing the swings faster and faster to the delight of the children. I wondered why they couldn't get some mules or now that it is the 21st century maybe even a motor or something to do the work.

The whole evening was a lot of fun - other than it was very cold. We were all bundled up but still shivering. I guess that is just what happens in October in Utah. We had to leave at 7:00 to get to Parent Teacher Conferences but after dark the corn maze became haunted and other spooky things began to happen - but we missed that part.

All in all we felt like very appreciated patients and are very happy to be part of the Dr. Jones, Ford and Hillam family. We definitely feel that all the money our insurance companies sends to Dr. Jones is well worth the royal treatment we get being their patients.