Because of the endless appointments that is our life I have found that it is a lot easier on us to do these mega appointment weeks, or sometimes days. For example I have taken all seven for flu shots, eye Dr's , and etc. But there is one thing I have found that we can't do this with and it is the freaking Dentist!
So, there is a local place which is an offshoot of South Bend's Dental Center right here in the merry town of Plymouth. I made Alison an appointment and scoped the place out for the rest of the crew. Tiny office, but it is able to handle almost everything that the bigger office could so I inquired about the Tobey Jude. And it was a no.... I asked about South Bend, they were not sure if they could handle him.
So, then I asked our Pediatrician, and they sent me to Small Smiles in Mishawaka. They assured me on the phone that they were up for the task, and I was leery...but decided to try. So here is how it went down...
We got there and there was a ton of people in pajama pants, huge pet peeve of mine....going on. I filled out about 15 pieces of paperwork with the extra stuff explaining Tobey's medical background. They called us back and I was put in this tiny room with Tobey and we went through all of his meds, they are going through all of his medical history and asked me for tips on how to take care of him. I am now feeling confident, and we head back to the room. Within a few minuted the hygienist comes in and sees my sweet and for once mellow child...goes through his history, again and I thought that this was going to happen! The boy was going to get his teeth cleaned and I can mark another kids dental care done for 6 more months. And then, well they saw the power of Tobey Jude! And it got real! I once saw the Incredible Hawk tie a rifle into a bow tie, if Tobey knew the proper etiquette for tying his shoes he would have done so with the paperwork ladies arms...It took me, the hygienist, a dentist and the paperwork woman holding him down to brush his teeth!
I then got this look, this look that people give me when they don't know what to tell me about Tobey...she held my hand and told me not to give up. I knew then that we were looking at another thousand appointments. She then told me that we would have to put him under to even get x rays and that he is looking at some serious dental work. I asked her where I need to go for that and she said a surgery center in Elkhart...if they would take him. I then gave her the medical history and she said they would not even try. Next step, the hospital in Elkhart....and they said no.
So, finally today I got a letter from the dentist, and they are sending Tobey Jude to an entirely new practice in South Bend. I called them, and Tobey will get in for his initial appointment on April 8th. I hope they are staffed for it.....
So the next time you hear a special needs child's parent say that they are getting ready to take their kid to the dentist, give them a hug, a few Hail Mary's and a strong drink. Don't even get me started on what it takes to get a haircut done....
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