texans on the autobahn

Deutsch Dental Hygiene?

Last week, I had an appointment to see Joe's dentist for a routine dental cleaning. . .Dr. C had been really nice with Joe and he liked her and had no complaints. I had been told by another expat mom that when she went to the dentist and asked to have her teeth cleaned, the dentist just brushed her teeth with a toothbrush!!! So I made as clear as possible that I wanted my teeth cleaned like in the US. In this particular dentist's office, there are no hygienists for this job, but in Dr. C's office, she did the cleaning. What you should know about me is that I am NOT a good dental patient. Not that anyone really enjoys going to the dentist, but I try to go regularly just so that the exam is LESS painful! Anyway, Dr. C met me and greeted me with a handshake, with her gloves on that would go IN MY MOUTH! At least she was wearing gloves!!! Usually when I have my teeth cleaned, it takes about 30-45 minutes. But get this, I was in and out of the chair in under 15 minutes!!!!!! NOW, I must say that all the tools she used were ones that I had seen before, however, she used no handtools - you know how the hygienist will scrape and poke with those sharp tools? Anyway, although I was familiar with all the tools she used, I had never experienced the use of these tools at such a fast and rough speed!!!!!! I was sweating like you wouldn't believe!!!! One step that I have never experienced before would be what I call the "sand blasting" step. She sprayed what she called "powder" (it was orange flavored baking soda) on my teeth. For this step I had to wear goggles PLUS keep my eyes closed!!! OH MY GOD, this was rough! I tend to have extra sensitive teeth and gums anyway, so this just about killed me! However, there was a benefit I couldn't have predicted with this step in the cleaning process - I think I received a free facial microdermabrasion treatment at the same time as the "powder" was spraying all over my face too! She finished up with the polishing and usually with all my dental experiences in the US, the use of dental floss is the final step, however, no dental floss was used - I was concerned that I even had teeth left after the experience so I guess there was nothing to floss! I had been told my my dentist in the US that dentists and doctors in Germany are not know for being gentle or concerned too much about how you're feeling! Boy, was he ever right! Anyway, I have a lead on another dentist who was trained in the US and has separate hygienists that are very gentle!

posted by stuckinthemiddle @ 9:40 AM