The Wonderful Life of a Dentist

I am a general dentist,
Who tries to be a perfectionist.
Over the years I've seen patients a lot,
I don't know if it's a blessing or not.
I cannot express in short,
Cause the facts I wouldn't want to distort.
Some show up only for emergency care,
Leaving me with no miracle to spare.
The patients are of so many different kind ,
Some come with the diagnosis already in their mind.
Some show up with the teeth in the socket,
While others carry them in their pocket.
Some come with nice dresses and make up on,
But very few teeth left for me to work on.
Some demand too much explanation,
Because they are afraid of exploitation.
And some demand to be seen right away,
But when see needle want to run away!
Many put in their mouth a finger
To show where the pain linger.
They present with that pain by default,
Yet no matter what it's the dentist's fault?

Many of them truly wait with patience
In me they really have confidence.
Still some agree to everything,
But never follow anything.
There is no evidence of compliance,
A few also show defiance.
Some demonstrate tension,
While others show depression.
When I want to prescribe analgesics,
Some want nothing but narcotics.
Many prefer to get the injection,
While others don't mind pampering the infection.
They don't care if they're symptomatic,
They just want a script for antibiotic.
But once I make the abscess disappear,
They never want to reappear.
For some it's been such a long time of neglect,
That it's hard for them to even recollect.
Some go to the restroom as soon as called,
That always keeps my schedule stalled.
Their phones ring when they're in the chair,
But if I take calls I get an unpleasant stare.
Some come in with a Bluetooth,
But leave behind a bloody tooth.
They are busy with things that are optional,
And cannot hold on to what is personal.
So, Dentistry can be very depressing,
There is no point in comparing.
Dentists commit more suicide,
Better us than causing a genocide!

Let me tell you about one day,
When I was treating Mr. D'Cay.
When I started the drill,
The patient felt the chill.
Gave additional anesthetic,
The numbing was fantastic.
Still the patient was shaking,
Was that my failure in the making?
Patient came with a fully functioning liver,
Then what was causing the shiver?
The appointment was only for an hour,
Then why was the mood so sour?
What started out to be dental,
Turned out to be mental.
Curing that was beyond my capacity,
That did not fall under my specialty.
I knew that was dental phobia,
But how could I address that paranoia?
I tried to talk the patient out of fear,
It was of no help, that was clear.
Some dental procedures are really tough,
Causing the situation to get rough.
That is why I'm all for referring out,
Specialists are there to bail me out!

Even then I perform my duties sincerely,
I tell everybody seriously:
"Oral health is important,
You cannot be so ignorant."
I cannot stress it to you enough,
Maintaining your mouth can get tough.
There is only so much we can do,
If you show up every year or two.
When you don't seek regular care,
Your teeth have a nightmare!
They cannot come to terms,
With the invasion by the germs.
The extensive destruction,
Gets evident after extraction.
Dentists absolutely do not play,
We do not let rotten teeth to stay.
When you have severe periodontal disease,
Teeth may fall out when you sneeze.
When the teeth are so loose,
They can stick out when you snooze.
That happens due to shifting,
What we call "Dental Drifting."
When the foundation is gone,
Teeth say they are done!
They leave a farewell note,
No matter how long you want them to float.
If you don't have teeth to munch on,
You will walk around with an add-on.

I am telling you with great emphasis,
Such problems come with Diabetes.
Medical and dental problems are related,
That fact has already been authenticated.
You love to go to your PCP,
But get scared when you see me?
It is you who needs to be proactive,
Your priorities cannot be that selective.
This problem is conceptual,
And it cannot be perpetual.
If you had a cavity to begin with,
Now it won't be smaller in width.
No matter how hard you pray,
You cannot wish the cavity away!
Don't be the subject of ridicule,
And don't try to dictate the schedule.
It was you who didn't come even for an x-ray,
Now you want everything done yesterday?
Try to work as a team,
To get the smile of your dream.

I am happy being a dentist,
I get the satisfaction like an artist.
It is a nice profession,
That supports my obsession.
It is such a nice feeling,
To restore the teeth that are decaying.
I love to carve the amalgam filling,
I enjoy that more than the drilling.
Sure you can refer a cousin,
If he needs also a resin.
I am all into getting it right,
Doesn't matter if it takes the whole night.
I need to carve in the oblique ridge,
Which is distinct from the marginal ridge.
You want treatment with precision,
So try to make informed decision.
If you got the RCT,
The steps come with specificity.
You don't want the tooth to fracture,
If you are to avoid extra expenditure.
So, you are getting a crown,
Even that makes you frown.
If you want my advice,
The treatment has to be precise.
I don't believe in patching up,
Then you'll always be catching up.
If your teeth fracture,
You will need a denture.
The type of restoration,
Depends on the condition.
You can get crown, bridge, implant and veneer,
Also sealants that can be opaque or clear.
We have so many options to offer,
Though clinical opinions may differ.
And what's the point in getting teeth bleached,
If the tooth surface is already breached?

I always refer you to Ms. Eugene,
Who goes over the hygiene.
She has been with us the longest,
With an opinion that is the strongest.
I know for a fact,
She wants your mouth intact.
If you want to make her happy,
Your mouth cannot be crappy.
She will thoroughly teach,
How to clean areas hard to reach.
She will tell you not to rush,
Anytime that you brush.
You're supposed to brush after every meal,
Even if you think it's not a big deal.
Don't you ever try to toss,
The nice pack of floss.
When you get braces,
Food should not leave traces.
If you don't want a hole,
You have to play an important role.
If you don't take care of your mouth,
Your oral health with go south.
Don't drink too much juice,
Teeth and juice cannot have a truce.
Too much soda causes chemical erosion,
Hard brushing will cause enamel abrasion.
Avoid food with too much sugar,
And I haven't even talked about tartar.
Unclean mouth results in tartar build up,
The condition requires thorough check up.
It's retention causes bone loss,
And it cannot be removed with floss.
The condition cannot be corrected,
But further damage can be prevented.
When you show up only when you're in pain,
Emergency care alone will not make you gain.
That's why I prefer to see you twice yearly,
Since I love all of you so dearly.

Even after being in such a difficult profession,
I keep working with full concentration.
Dental education comes after a huge debt,
There is no scope for retiring yet.
Dentistry is physically demanding,
Some procedures can really be daunting.
Many of us develop arthritis,
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and tendinitis.
We keep practicing even if we moan,
Just to pay off the student loan.
Since we had to go to dental school,
We'll be working on patients that drool.
We enjoy a lot of satisfaction,
After a full mouth rehabilitation.
The best possible remuneration,
Is when patients show gratification.
Even if such encounter is rare,
That doesn't stop us from providing care.
All patients are not very forgiving,
Everyday so many of them are suing.
That doesn't make us less caring,
Or ignorant about an honest living.
No matter how extremely frustrating,
Dentistry will always be rewarding.

Note:
a) PCP: Primary Care Physician
b) RCT: Root Canal Treatment
c) Oblique Ridge: The elevated ridge area of a molar that runs in an oblique direction
d) Marginal Ridge: The elevated ridge areas on the mesial and distal of premolars and molars