Dentist

Back in December Tayler had to have two two teeth pulled. It seems she has very deep roots that just won't let the new teeth push out the baby ones. I knew this was not going to be a fun visit,so I had Josh take off work to be with us. I prayed and left it in Gods hands. When we arrived things were not in order making me nervous. They had not prepared for the gas I had ordered, my hope was that it would calm her some. They also failed to let me know she wasn't supposed to eat breakfast that morning in order to have the gas. And planned to give her no pain medicine other than typical Tylenol. We were blessed to have a wonderful assistant keep us company until the dentist arrived. Shortly after the dentist started Tayler refused to cooperate and I was asked to leave. I know my kids and my thinking was that she may do better if I am not right there with her. After a bit they were done. The dentist came out long enough to tell me that he had been able to pull both teeth but that she had given him problems, and he would not be able to see her again. We would need to see a specialist. At the time I did not realize he meant he would not be her dentist anymore. My thinking was that he would see her for regular dental maintenance. Tayler was horribly upset, and all I wanted was to get her home. I remember while checking out seeing a very nice lady, something about her struck me. She had a very warm and comforting way about her.

We got her home and settled I had stocked up on jello, ice cream, and home made chicken noodle soup. We even rented a few movies as I figured she wouldn't be up for much but resting. I received a call that afternoon from the dental assistant checking on Tayler that evening. She told me that Tayler had a hard time and that she wanted to make sure she was ok. My first thought was wow she is really dedicated to check on her, though the thought crossed my mind that it was unusual to receive a call. Tayler knew whom I was talking with and told me to tell her she loved her before I hung up the phone. Tayler is not one to openly bring things up that are difficult for her and never said much else about the incident.

She healed fine and went in for a cleaning a month later. The boys were having their teeth cleaned as well. After the assistant cleans their teeth typically the dentist comes in looks over everything and talks with the parent, if the child is good he gives them a dollar. Well Joshua and Brenden both received and dollar and spoke with him. Tayler did not nor did I. As you can imagine Tayler was very upset and did not understand why she was left out. I thought it odd that he didn't speak with me. The office was quite hectic and I assumed he was busy and everything was fine. I told Tayler I was sure he overlooked her on accident and gave her a dollar myself.

Fast forward to February. My friend Shonna and I were talking in the kitchen while the kids made Valentines for their dads and I baked up some Valentine cookies for snack.

Shonna and I were talking about best friends and people that she and her husband often did things with as couples. And she mentioned her best friend had recently moved back here and that she was going to be working for a dentist in town. And another of her friends (a dental assistant)had recently put in her notice at the same dentist office. This friend (the one resigning) had a bad experience at work with the dentist and a little girl. All of the sudden I put it all together. Things seemed surreal. We soon realized that the little girl was Tayler, the lady I saw and the desk was her best friend, and the assistant resigning was the one that helped Tayler through a very difficult time and later called to check on her at home! Shonna knew more details than I did. She did not feel she should share them with me and neither did I due to the fact she was told these things in confidence and was not the actually there. These are both Godly women that have hearts of gold. They were both there when I had prayed and given Tayler and the situation to God. It amazes me how God is there for us and looks out for us in times we don't even realize! It gives me chills to think how he watches over us and cares for us his children.

I talked with Tayler and she told me that this dentist was very rough with her, and that the assistant kept taking up for her asking him to be careful, saying Tayler was only a small scared child. She was really upset by the incident and she and I talked about how she should come to me and tell me these things. Needless to say we are finding another dentist!

We have been attending a wonderful church that the kids are super excited about! Come to find out this same dentist, the dental assistant, and the even the new dental assistant all attend the same very same church. I was concerned that Tayler would be upset or uncomfortable. She is the most amazing child and has made great friends with the assistant that "stood" up for her that day. She often sits with her during praise time at church before children's church. I was grateful to hug her and tell her how much it meant to me that she was there for us, and that she was an answered prayer. Here is the best part Tayler went up to the dentist that was so unkind to her that day and even later when he left her out on purpose after her cleaning and gave him a big hug and smile. She told me about it later and said Mommy Jesus says we should forgive and love even those who do wrong by us! It brings tears to my eyes now and warms my heart. I think everyone of us could learn a lesson from this sweet little girl!

Another update fast forward 6 months later. I called to get the childrens' dental records in order  transfer to a new dentist. I was told I would have to pay $25 per child to have their x-rays. As you can imagine it did not sit well with me, as we had already paid for these once. After telling the lady on the phone we would not even be going to a new dentist had it not been for this awful situation and paying to have our x-rays moved made it even worse that is $75 for all three children, she took pity on me. She went and spoke with the dentist, he remembered Tayler and the situation, but did not remember not seeing her and leaving her out. He said he apologized several times and said that was not intentional to leave her out. They waived the fees and I was able to get all of our records to transfer. The assistant I spoke with told me that as a mother, and health care provider our situation did not sit right with her, and that she hoped this brought peace to me. It was all I could do not to cry! PRAISE GOD I give him all the glory!