It all began with a simple trip to the dentist.
How could I pass up a $59 cleaning?
The squeaky hinged mailbox door seemed to announce a surprise. Yes! My favorite blue envelope stuffed full of coupons had arrived. It’s only delivered periodically so it’s like treasure to me. My favorite one is from a causal, but very nice, Mexican restaurant near our church. My family and I eat lunch there nearly every Sunday. The picture on the coupon features a thick blue ceramic plate piled high with all of my favorites and the text reads: Three Tacos, Rice & Beans. Just $7.99!
“My plan for the day? Get a cleaning and go get some tacos!”
This time the blue envelope included an extraordinarily valuable coupon from Tillery Family Dental (TFD). Dr. Michael Tillery has been a dentist in our community for over 30-years and has an outstanding reputation. His practice was offering a full exam, X-rays and teeth whitening for only $59! This was perfect for me because I’d developed an annoying sensation on my tongue earlier in the year. I’d seen another dentist about the issue twice already. That person said the problem was probably an irritation caused by my plastic teeth straightening trays, but after nearly eight months of managing the annoyance, I wanted another opinion. Suffice it to say, for $59, it would be fantastic to visit Dr. Tillery’s office.
The miracle that came in my mailbox. I now keep this tucked in the pages of my Bible.
I quickly called the number on the TFD coupon and explained my situation to a kind woman on the other end of the phone. In response to my lament regarding the pain on my tongue, she made a space for Dr. Tillery to see me the very next day! I confirmed my appointment and started planning. I’d celebrate my $59 dental exam with a $7.99 plate of tacos afterwords!
Upon arriving at TFD, I was immediately impressed by the people and the office. The staff was cheerful and the space was gorgeous. To fulfill the X-ray portion of the $59 offer I was guided into a stunning room showcasing state of the art medical equipment. Everything appeared to be brand new and extremely high tech. I was intrigued by all of it, which also made the process of getting my scans super interesting. Next, my teeth were cleaned in a bright and comfortable dental suite where I was offered a “Comfort Menu”. On the menu were selections that included free bottled water and a blanket. I asked for both and settled in while I watched a home remodeling show on a flat-screen television situated in the ceiling directly above my chair. I also noticed that the Comfort Menu listed optional sedation for a small fee.
“At one point I heard: You have a few gray lines under your tongue which can be signs of cancer.”
My hygienist that day was Courtney. She was professional, gentle with my mouth, and very funny. I liked her instantly. While saying a few words about myself between rinses, Courtney and I discovered we had a lot in common. She lives in my hometown and we’re both boy moms. We also share a deep appreciation for designer handbags. As my visit was wrapping up the tone of her voice softened considerably. She leaned in and said, “You have a few faint gray lines under your tongue. They can be signs of cancer or precancer. We’ll have Dr. Tillery take a look and before you leave, I’ll give you a [business] card for an oral surgeon we like to refer patients to.” I acknowledged her with a simple nod as I dabbed my mouth the the green paper bib hanging from a tiny chain around my neck.
The gray lines under my tongue that Courtney discovered. I’d never paid any attention to the under-side of my tongue before. Weeks later the lines would extend around to the side of my tongue.
Before walking away from my cozy chair, Courtney clicked open a tab on a computer situated next to us. The results of my X-rays appeared on the screen. The images were extremely detailed and impressive to look at. Unfortunately, they revealed three cavities that I was not prepared to have filled that day. I wanted to schedule a second visit so I could take advantage of Dr. Tillery’s sedation option from the Comfort Menu. Anything TFD could do to lessen my anxiety about filling the cavities would be worth the money - coupon or not.
During the checkout process, Courtney handed me the business card of the oral surgeon she’d mentioned in the exam room. I dropped it inside the tiny plastic bag she’d given me with a free toothbrush and travel-sized toothpaste. I handed off the $59 coupon and scheduled the appointment to have my cavities filled the following week.
I drove home extremely satisfied with the care I’d received and was enjoying the ‘clean mouth feeling’ so much that I skipped the $7 tacos. Back at home, I pulled the business card for the oral surgeon out of the little bag and held it in-between my fingers. Turning my hand over-and-back I studied the details on either side of it: Mark W. Anderson D.D.S. M.S. Oral Surgeons of Indiana. I probably read it five times as Courtney’s words tapped sharply in my brain. “Gray lines… cancer… precancer...” I recited the warning silently, and as though it were completely optional. I decided the lines she discovered under my tongue would go away on their own and fired back at the pending threat, “I am fine! I do not have pre-anything! And we’re not spending money on an oral surgeon!”