so off to the dentist i dutifully went to get my tooth filled.

there’s the well worn stereotype about british teeth – which, to be brutally honest, does hold more than a kernel of truth. in comparison to everywhere else i’ve lived, people around these parts have some jacked up teeth. now i know americans probably place far too much emphasis on a perfect, pearly white appearance (i mean, as long as they’re *healthy*, it shouldn’t matter how they look), but even people on television (who presumably make enough money to at least get their choppers straightened), don’t seem the least bit bothered in displaying a wonky yellowed grin.

so i was understandably a bit apprehensive the first time i went to the dental surgery after moving here. i admit having been completely spoiled in the past, with a family dentist whom i’d seen since i first had teeth, and who also happened to be fantastic at his job – great work, great manner, and i trusted him implicitly with no nervousness whatsoever. as a kid, there was the bubble gum flavoured toothpaste, a toy from the chest, and a new toothbrush and pink disclosing tablets to go home with. as an adult, i used to love going in for cleanings with the hygenist, and coming out running my tongue along cool, smooth, polished teeth that felt like new. i even went to see him during the 8 years i lived in nyc, timing my appointments to coincide with visits home. ah, dr. chessler was great – he died a few years ago from lung cancer, and i truly felt a pang of sadness. i still remember how he smelled faintly of pipe smoke, and i can still recall his warm, gravelly voice, giving fatherly advice about my tongue ring, (yet not chiding me when i cracked a tooth on it), asking about my family by name, encouraging me during the difficult college years. i was really lucky to have him.

and, knowing that no other dentist could ever live up to the legacy of dr. chessler, my expectations are modest. with that in mind, my dentist surgery here seems… fine. clean, competent, nothing i could complain about. but they just don’t seem as thorough or careful or caring about things. there isn’t that friendliness or extra time to double check things. no gentle reminders to floss more often, no praise for having quit smoking. they do perfectly servicable, fine work – but they’re no dr. chessler.

wherever you are melvin s. chessler, dmd extraordinaire, i hope you know you were appreciated. and you are missed.

jets to brazil – Your X-Rays Have Just Come Back From the Lab and We Think We Know What Your Problem is

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