No points for guessing the pun on the song title.
And strictly speaking, it wasn't last night. And whilst we're being open here, technically he didn't save my life.
But, in a way it will give me some of it back. I may have mentioned before that I have a bit of a dental phobia - possibly stemming from a childhood dentist who was a cross in the looks department between Jim Carrey as Lemony Snickett and the ChildCatcher from Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang. Horrible old man. I bit his finger once. That'll learn him. And also an occassion when I needed some wisdom teeth removed, that were still claiming squatters rights in my mouth way after they had any right to still be there (arent they meant to sort themselves out in childhood?). That was particularly toe-curling due to the aneasthetic injection having to be given through the PALATE at the roof of my mouth.
So anyway, yada yada, long term phobia and not going becomes a bit of a vicious circle. Now I want to make it clear here, that I'm not some hideous Shane McGowan alike - theyre not that bad! - I can smile and show my face in public without scaring small children and puppies. But its a confidence thing really.
Well, for a few years it was fine - you know that you probably need something doing here and there, but its not horrendous, you still look okay, and theres no pain or anything, so kind of live with it.
However, its been niggling me, and as well as the phobia, the other vicious cycle of not being able to afford private care, plus the inevitability that the longer you leave it, the more needs doing, the more it costs, keeps you going round the proverbial dental hamster wheel and feel nothing will ever get done. Not many people have a few thousand pounds available for something as minor as a few fillings here and there and the odd extraction. At about 100 quid a go per filling, plus registration, and so on, its a nightmare.
But, after years of nothing else going wrong or getting worse, out of the blue I was assualted by two absesses in a row, and had to get emergency treatment. Bastard things they are, worst pain in the world.
Many many months later, my fear of constantly being conscious that I need things doing makes you exagerrate the issue and think that its worse than it is - a bit like losing confidence because youve got a spot on your nose, which really isnt that bad and people dont actually shun you like a leper, except in your head its a hideous carbuncle that makes you feel like you dont deserve to be seen! So, self confidence nil points; feelings of lack of self worth - loads!
Well late last week I finally got confirmation of a place with an NHS dentist - I know, its like a lottery win isnt it?
And not only that, but - after sweating and shaking like a public school boy in the showers - having had the dentist try to soothe me and have a look, its nowhere near as much work as I thought. Okay, its a fair few (9!!) fillings, an extraction and some other bits and bobs, but most of the fillings are tiny little 'tippex' affairs. But its not a rancid, oozing cavern!!
And not only not only that (erm, yes, thats right), the WHOLE lot will cost me not a few thousand like it would in private treatment, but.......two appointments........£47 for EVERYTHING.
I could have kissed him. Though he'd probably prefer I didnt.
Its made me feel so much better about losing my inflated fear and lack of self confidence, and that its all going to be okay and Im actually.....normal and not the phantom of the opera.
The timing couldnt have been better either, as with my rental move next month and finally living on my own in a nicer place, and this at the same time, its perfect. Add to that a few 'liaisons' which might progress further, and the sun is well and truly shining this summer.
