by Beks
I went for my dental cleaning this afternoon. Since missing these appointments can be super expensive later *cough* like a root canal *cough*, I always make time.
I was due for my annual x-rays and the tech person was prepping my mouth for the slides. She put the x-ray cards in my mouth, moved the machine near my face, and on her way to snap the photo, she tripped over the cord…
attached to my mouth.
The cord yanked my face into the machine and, well…
let’s just say there was a lot of blood for a queasy person like myself to handle. The fact that it was MY blood only worsened the situation.
‘Oh my…. Oh my…Oh God’ she said while staring at me wide eyed.
The instant shock from the pain brought a rush of tears to my eyes. She ran for some towels and I held them against my head to stop the blood.
‘Here, let me get you a mirror’ she said, running to the drawer.
‘Nope. Don’t think a mirror is a good call right now’ I said, wiping my head and my tears.
‘Right…’
Pause
‘Heeeeeeeeeeelp!!!!!!’ she screamed into the hallway.
The room flooded with dental folks. All of them taking turns holding the towel on my head.
My dentist sat rubbing my arm, ‘Is there anything we can do? Anything you need? Do you need an ambulance? Oh geez. I’m so sorry!’
I’ve been sued over an injury (not my fault). I know the sick feeling you have when someone gets hurt – especially in sue happy California. Because of that, you’d pretty much have to lop off a limb to get me to sue you.
‘I’m fine’ I said, still wiping the tears that couldn’t seem to stop.
‘I’m so so so so so so so sorry’ she said.
After the bleeding slowed, she cleaned my teeth – but only after I begged her. She thought the cleaning and a banged head might be too much for one day.
Obviously the bill for her services was waived.
And I got a killer bag full of dental goodies.
Guess who won’t be buying toothpaste for the next century?
Yeah. Almost worth getting my head smacked into an x-ray machine….
or not. Yeeeeeouch!
Beks is a full-time government employee who enjoys blogging late into the night after her four kids have gone to sleep. She’s been married to Chris, her college sweetheart, for 15 years. In 2017, after 3 long years working the Dave Ramsey Baby Steps, they paid off more than $70K and became debt free. When she’s not working or blogging, she’s exploring the great outdoors.
I think any type of ‘trauma’ to the face automatically triggers the tear ducts and tears to fall, no matter how involuntary or how little pain may be felt. I had sinus surgery, and as they removed the packing from my nose the waterworks started and I was quite embarrassed about it ‘cuz I didn`t want to seem like a wimp. I was assured that the tears were to be expected.
OWIE!! I’m glad you are ok and didn’t lose any teeth or need stitches or anything!! Freak accidents happen, but it still stinks.
Wow, glad to hear that you came out OK. Good thing is that injuries in the mouth usually heal relatively quickly. I hope nothing bad happens to the person who tripped and caused you the pain. Sounds like an honest mistake.
So sorry Becks. As you know, in regards as to what they say with people with red hair, you and I already are not a huge fan of dentists. And now this…… I truly feel sorry for the gal that tripped as well. I’m sure she feels horrible!! Love you!
Time to change the name to “Bonking Away Debt”?
Sorry you got hurt, but if I had to get my head whacked a bit for a free dental, I’m up for it! Ha ha ha, okay maybe not, really sorry you got hurt but at least you can count that in ways to not have to pay a bill. 🙂
Yikes, this was painful just to read! You didn’t explicitly say you’re ok, but your humor says you must be. Glad to hear it and that it wasn’t more serious. Ouch!
Geesh, what a freak accident! I applaud you for not going the route of a lawsuit. I’m sure that poor girl was just as traumatized as you, and let’s face it, accidents do happen. I’m glad to read you are ok though, and I sure hope you didn’t already have a huge fear of going to the dentist! Keep on smiling with those pearly whites!
Oh man, this made me cringe. At least you got a ton of free stuff and a free cleaning out of it, i guess, haha.
Such a great article it was which The room flooded with dental folks. All of them taking turns holding the towel on my head.In which The fact that it was MY blood only worsened the situation. Thanks for sharing this article.
First of all, I am glad that you were not seriously injured. It is so refreshing to find someone who is honest and not always ready to jump and sue someone. I take my hat off to you for the way you handled this situation. You are a fine example of honesty and compassion.