Mag,

  Start sending that letter to the various dental sites on the web - hit a
few biggies each week. Heck, the rest of us could help :) I could even
include it on my "Dental Phobia!" link if you like. Let me know. We might
even consider inviting a couple of those dentists who maintain web sites,
to join this list, so that they can see first hand what we experience,
particularly with the "dentistry dilemmas" threads. Perhaps that would
have the snowball effect of one enlightening the other, and so on. Rather
like that Prell commercial :)

  I've not been to a dentist since 1991, though I have an appointment on 4
April, which I may cancel (not due to fear) but because I have an
appointment with the cardiologist .... again ... on the 10th. Two trips to
the city by car will destroy my poor back :) The order of business on that
occasion will be discussion of a pacemaker. Valve replacement has been
taken off the table due to my screwed up immune system. Oh joy.

  I learned early on, under the tutelage of my mother how to brush and
floss my teeth, I see that Cybersonic (http://www.cybersonic.com) has the
sonic flosser, but it's only available in combination with the toothbrush,
which I haven't heard very good things about. Most dentists rate the
Sonicare, which I have, as being the superior of the current sonic
toothbrushes on the market. I've never had a toothache, though I get what
the doctor calls fibro pain in a couple of teeth - not related to a dental
problem according to him, which is a good thing :) I'm sure I'd totally
freak out if I ever had to have an extraction. I brush my teeth anywhere
from 4 to 6 times a day. Am I compulsive? You bet! :)

  Rayna, remember those Earth Shoes - where the heel was lower than the
toe, essentially positioning the foot so that the toe was sort of upwards.
That type of shoe might reduce the drag you experience. I have the toe
drop and drag, but with concentration, I can avoid it and walk "properly",
heel-toe strike. For the most part, I don't like shoes, preferring instead
to go in sock or bare feet. With dress shoes, I experience very little
drag, which I find surprising.

  Off to bake an apple pie. Anyone want an easy recipe?

Cheers!

Carla
http://www.brunnet.net/terrier


Rayna Lamb wrote:

> Hey, sis!
>
> Excellent letter, Mag, would be a great thing if the dental profession
> does take note of it.
> As for dentistry in my end of the world, there used to be funding for
> cheap (or free - can't recall off the top of my head) dental services
> for low income earners and people on govt benefits, but the scheme was
> scrapped a couple of years ago, and as far as I know, nothing has
> replaced it.  I personally haven't been to the dentist for about 12
> years, just the thought of it sends me into spastic overload, I hate
> people hovering around my face with sharp instruments, can't stand
> even having my hair cut (I'm a big wimp - and proud of it!!).  I
> imagine, though, that the attitude towards people with disabilities
> and dental care is similar to what you describe in your letter.  It
> puts me in mind of the last time I went to see an orthopedic
> specialist about some way of preventing my toes from dragging when I
> walked, resulting in me going thru shoes at a rate of knots.  His
> suggestion:  Wear golf shoes!!!!  I told him to get stuffed and
> stormed out of his office.  I'm not necessarily a fashion victim, but
> I do like to look well turned out, and being female, wearing golf
> shoes just doesn't cut it for me.
> This attitude that some of the medical profession has that we don't
> deserve to look the best we can just beggars belief.
>
> Rayna
>
> On Sat, Mar 24, 2001 at 02:14:59AM -0500, Magenta Raine wrote:
>     HIYA SIS!
>
>     BEEN working my tail off on the letter to the dental profession.
>
>     Rayna, how's dentistry in your neck o' the woods?
>
>     Mag