Wednesday, June 27

I Love(d) My Dentist


It's true......I really do love my dentist. We just got a letter saying that he is retiring in early July, and I have dreaded that day for years. My children and I used to tell him that he couldn't retire until after we departed the world. He is almost my age, so I guess we couldn't expect him to practice forever.

We moved to Raleigh in the fall of 1969, and in January, we began a search for a dentist. Mr. kenju found one in his office building, so we tried him out. We immediately felt that we had made a good choice; he was very good at dentistry, he seemed compassionate, and trustworthy. An added plus is that he was easy on the eyes (and remains so). Over the years, our opinion of him has never flagged, and his personality and the way he conducts his business have never changed. (The fees have escalated, darn it!)

Many people have been referred by us to his office throughout the last 38 years, all of whom were really happy to find him. Everyone from my mother-in-law to the small grandchildren of my friends go/have gone to this office with no fear or trepidation. I expect they will be as sad as we are to lose him. I have had a great deal of dental work over the years. Phil is the only dentist who never hurt me (with the possibile exception of novocaine shots - but that was understandable.)

A new dentist is taking over the practice; one I hope will be just like Phil. The new man is retaining all the office staff, from the receptionist to the hygienists, so that is a definite plus.

Phil, we have enjoyed being your patients over the years. We thank you for being the man and the dentist you are, and we wish you and your family many years of peaceful and enjoyable retirement.

19 comments:

Evil Twin's Wife said...

I've often told my hairdresser she can't retire and I've lost a few good doctors to moving/retirement over the years. It always stinks!

Beckie said...

I know exactly what you are talking about - I am dreading the day that our dentist retires.

Bob-Kat sent me to spread the joy!

Have a good day!

Diane Mandy said...

I also know what you mean. I use to be terrified of the dentist until I found my practice in Cary. Now I don't fear it at all. I hope the new dentist turns out to be gem!

rosemary said...

The dentist that took over my retired favorites practice is OK. Not Doug, but OK. Hopefully yours will be Great!

srp said...

I am not fond of dentists... probably because of having braces and such. I went to one who had no arms on his chairs... I need those to hold on to and dig nails into and squeeze. When I asked him why he had these, he told me that the salesman had said these chairs were ergonomic and would help patients relax... All I could say was, "he lied."

michelle said...

congrats to your dentist for the early retirement. i have a few doctors that i love, too and don't ever want them to retire.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Oh Judy...it is so hard to have a WONDERFUL dentist retire on you! I've had three or four retire on me---ane like you I have had extensive work...Maybe I wore them out...LOL!
Anyway, I hope the new man is WONDERFUL!

Peter said...

Thats a first Judy, a post honoring a dentist, have never seen one before ... or had any urge to write one.

Pat said...

That's some loss. Fingers crossed the new one can live up to Phil's reputation - a hard act to follow!

Eddie said...

Our dentist looks like Elvis!

brendalove@gmail.com said...

My dentist is like part of the family....I know I'd better start thinking about the day he's ready to retire.

Anonymous said...

Here from BobKat's with donuts.

There are people you describe in all professions. My children's pediatrician was one. We all were sad when she retired after 40 years of practice.

Cheers.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I will tell Annie what you said! It sounds like a fujn part, too!
I'll tell more about it in the "follow up".

utenzi said...

I hear you, Judy. It's difficult to replace someone like that. Medical and dental professionals have so much impact on us that when you find the right match--you never want to give them up.

MaR said...

Hope the new dentist is just like Phil! he has a good start if he is retaining all the staff.
Good luck and fun times to Phil in the future!

Lois Lane said...

Good luck to Phil! Here's to hoping the new Dr. Smiley is as good. :)

Anonymous said...

Although I hate going to the dentist's, just had to go the day before yesterday, I find my (young) dentist acceptable --for a dentist--, which means that he is wonderful!
I'm happy that he is young, this way, I won't have to see him retire ;)
Good luck with your new dentist.

Granny Annie said...

Did you know that suicide rates are higher among dentists than any other medical professionals? Many people are afraid of dentists. Listen to all these comments on wonderful dentists. Maybe we better be telling our dentists how much we love them. I know my dentist loves compliments. He's also my brother-in-law.

Jamie Dawn said...

Phil gives painless phillings. (groan - bad pun)

I hate going to the dentist. I don't really know why, but I just hate it. It's great that you found such a wonderful one. The guy we go to here looks like he's about 15 years old. It makes me wonder if I'm being "practiced" on.