And speaking of dentists and collard greens… Were we? Well, I have been talking about dentists with my mother’s college roommate who hates hates hates going to the dentist. And collard greens, lots of people hate those too, but not me (keep reading for more on this tie-in). I’ve never minded the dentist and in fact, if I could get my teeth cleaned every month and have insurance pay for it, I would.

One of the absolute worst things about moving to another state has been having to change doctors. I loved my Dallas dentist and all the ladies who work there. If you live in the area and need a dentist, I highly recommend Travis Spillman / Dental Center of Lakewood. He isn’t one of those dentists who tries to refill every old filling in your head or sends you off with a detailed financial plan for future work. He’s a young (but not Doogie-young) guy with old school ways and a super cool office that includes flat screens in each examination room so you can watch television while getting your teeth clean. Nice.

Luckily, Dr. Spillman referred me to a dentist in Rogers. Todd Phelan, DDS. They went to dental school together. Yay. Having a referral makes changing much easier. Yesterday I went for my first cleaning. I’m telling you, it was a pleasure.

First off, when I first walked in, the background music was Talking Heads. Good music set the stage for what followed. (I once had a dentist who played opera and sang along with it. After a while, it got to me.)

Secondly, you know those two pages that must be filled out every time you walk into a doctor’s office? His was the best questionnaire ever. One of the questions was tell us a little about yourself. Another was what are your hobbies? Oh my, these are dangerous from a writer’s perspective. I filled the page down the margin, included a shameless plug for my blog, and even worked in how I love collards. No kidding. I’d eat them every meal if I could. And I could if I made them more often.

Third, the entire staff was so friendly. We have already bonded over a certain hilarious story I can’t discuss here but may have to write a short story about.

Fourth, the examining chairs vibrated. Yes. Massage examination chairs. Nothing weird, just a little relaxing vibration on the upper back, shoulders and head. Heaven at the dentist office and those words may never have been written together until now. Maybe this is normal for Northwest Arkansas, I don’t know, but the only place I ever experienced this in Dallas was at Fine Nails. And, I’ve been to some fancy schmancy doctor’s offices in Dallas, specifically those that charge half a semester of college for a root canal.

Fifth. I’m sure there is one, but I can’t get past those chairs. Well done, Dr. Phelan.

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]Heaven at the dentist office. Massage examination chairs! #ToddPhelan #NWA [/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Talking Heads – And She Was