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| - I really don't want to admit that I went 23 years without going to the dentist.
No, I don't have the mouth of an early Austin Powers, but that's probably a combination of having religiously gone to the dentist twice a year until I was 19 followed with the kind of obsessive home dental care that happens when you are aware that the years are slipping by without a professional cleaning or even a checkup.
And why didn't I go to the dentist? At first it was money, then it was money and time, then it wasn't so much money but living in a city where I didn't know anyone (but knew my wisdom teeth needed to come out and thus I would need a ride), and then - despite having insurance and sick days and a husband-chauffeur - it was just shame fueled by the logic of "well, I've waited this long; I may as well just wait for an emergency."
So, when the emergency came (and the stockpiled Tylenol 3 from a previous health issue wasn't cutting it), I looked to Yelp, saw that Rainsprings was around the corner, and made an appointment.
I like the registration forms they have you fill out online (savvy!) before your appointment. In addition to the usual medical information, they ask about your nervousness toward dentists and how you feel about the condition of your mouth.
The forms augured the gentle kindness and upbeat professionalism I encountered at Rainsprings. I don't know if things have changed a lot in the dental industry in 23 years (no more aching as you bite down on cardboard for X-rays, for one thing) or if Rainsprings is just amazing, but as soon as I'd been there for 10 minutes I knew I was going to get my equally dental-evasive husband in the exam chair. (Less than 24 hours later he had an exam and temporary crowns.)
Everyone was very nice and took care to describe what was happening at every stage. My mouth was not the disaster zone I'd been expecting, but I did need to lose a molar that had been badly damaged by those aforementioned wisdom teeth, and of course the wisdom teeth had to finally come out.
Rainsprings is part of a larger company, so if you need an oral surgeon, as I did, you can wait for his days to be on site there, or they can set you up with an appointment at whichever office he'll be at next. (Dr. Craig Morris is the oral surgeon; he's funny and great. More on him when I review the other "Smile Network" office.)
My dentist at Rainsprings is Dr. Nadia Groves. I'm sure everyone there is excellent, but I highly recommend Dr. Groves for her tranquil, non-judgmental demeanor and her willingness to go into as much detail as you would like about the procedures. I had pain from the surgery for longer than I expected (turns out they really had to dig into the jawbone on one side), and Dr. Groves was not only there with a variety of solutions at the post-op appointment that I was able to get the same day I called - a few days - early due to these issues, but she called me the next day to make sure I was doing better.
I'd also like to give a special shout-out to Priscilla, who has the unenviable task of discussing financial arrangements with patients. Paying for medical care is always a delicate topic, but she is willing to scour the fine print of the insurance options and suggest ways to maximize your savings.
When you are paying your bill (just past the doorway to the very attractive and comfortable waiting room where a large yet discreet screen quietly plays DVDs), you may notice the Yelp sign. I like a business that is so confident in its services that they solicit reviews from their patients.
I have to go back next month for a crown and a cleaning. I don't think I'll ever eagerly anticipate the WHIRR-WHIRR noise of a dentist's drill, but thanks to the personable and professional team at Rainsprings, I'll know I'm in trustworthy hands.
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