People Watching

I love to "people watch". Maybe I am just plain NOSEY? I LOVE waiting rooms at Doctor's offices ~ the bigger, the better because I have more victims, er, I mean, behaviors to observe.
Today I only had 10 precious minutes on my observation deck at a new (to me, anyway) large Dentist office. I am always a wee bit nervous going to the dentist and my nervousness was heightened a bit because this was a new dentist to me. I had the first appointment of the day at 8 a.m. and this particular dental practice housed three dentists and many other hygenists, X-Ray technicians and office personnel. My first order of business was to take note of the efficiency of those working behind the counter. The first person who signed me in and took my new patient paperwork could do a myriad of duties simultaneously. She was definitely the sterotype "Mom with 5 arms, 4 pairs of eyes and the ears to match" as she could multi-task with the best of them.
Her hands were a blur as she guided me through the page on the forms that I forgot to complete, while, in a soothing voice, answered the questions of the man with insurance coverage concerns. While I was doing my homework, she processed someone's payment as she gave them instructions for a follow-up procedure. All that...AND, she was nice!
As I stood with my mouth open in awe, another woman came up to me and introduced herself as my dentist's assistant and she welcomed me to the office with a warm handshake and genuine smile. When she did that, two others looked up from their duties and offered greetings with phrases like, "Welcome..glad you're here"...
Was I in a Sesame Street Twilight Zone?
I took my seat and settled in for some premier waiting room observing. I expected to be there at least 20 minutes because the room was pretty filled. Unfortunately for me, the room was being emptied faster than the OSU players after the Fiesta Bowl.
Patient names were being rattled off and they disappeared behind the door and into the 10 chairs that were waiting to comfort them and their mouth during their time of cleaning, drilling, grinding, filling and molding.
I didn't see or hear anyone crying. That was a good sign at a Dentist office.

So, my name was called and another friendly woman introduced herself and asked how I was doing and even looked me in the eye and waited for my answer! She then took me to my room and the dentist came in to introduce himself immediately and to tell me he would be right in after finishing with the patient in the next room. I felt like I was in someone's home and the hospitality was oozing from everywhere!

The Dentist returned and spent almost an hour with me asking me questions and examining my mouth and ultimately referring me to another specialist for my particular unusual problem. He said he would call me later to find out what the referring Doctor recommended but that this appointment was a "no charge". (I have no dental insurance so this bit of news was most welcomed)

OK...my ultimate observation from this visit is that I would like everyone of his staff to come over for dinner and be my bff. Now on reason for this ultimate experience is that maybe they let that "happy gas" (that is sometimes used on patients) escape through the air-vents and that's why everyone is in such a good mood.

Whatever it was, it was a delightful surprise and I didn't even have to rinse and spit once!