Dental ER

I found a lump on my gum when I was brushing my teeth last night. I'm not in pain or anything, but what with the weekend fast approaching, I don't dare not have it looked at. So I called ahead and came in as a dental emergency even though I wasn't really feeling too emergency-ish.

My goodness, remind me never to have a dental emergency again, especially if I am in pain. When I checked in at the front desk, I asked how many were ahead of me, trying to get some sense of how long I might be there. (Yes, I brought my reading for class assignments - the one with the most number and the most difficult to wade through.) "Gee," the receptionist said, "You're lucky. There are only 9 people ahead of you. Usually by this time we have 20 or 30."

Yikes! Even with 9 I can't imagine how long that might take. I select a seat away from the hustle and bustle of the desk, but where I can hear if they call my name, and delve into my reading. Hours go by. I am beginning to be concerned that I will have to leave for carpool before they get to me. Suddenly I hear a heated conversation - yelling really - by a young lady who was obviously in pain. "I have been here since 8am and I am in excruciating pain. No one has even looked at me yet. Can't you at least give me something for the pain?" The guy sitting across from me is moaning, his eyes filled with agony as well.

"I'm sorry," the dental assistant said. "The dentists will be leaving for a required training session and will go right from there to lunch. They won't be back until 2. We can offer you some ice if you like."

2? I have to leave at 2:30 for carpool! And both the people in pain were here before me. Not sure how many others were here earlier. "Lord," I prayed, "tell me what I should do." Just then they called my name. I was escorted back, treated, and out in a short fifteen minutes. How did that happen? Had to be God! As I maneuvered my way down the hallway toward the exit, I overheard a conversation among a dozen workers about the two people in pain and how long they had been waiting. Should they try to get them in before the class? They would both take a long time to deal with. No, no way around it, they will have to wait.

My head hurt just listening to them. I blessed God and headed out the door, praying for the unfortunates left behind. Dental ER - a mixed bag. I am grateful I am a card carrying member of the clinic and that they took me right away after four mere hours!