As a kid, growing up in the 70’s in India, if there was one person I used to hate visiting – it was our Dentist.

I used to try hard to avoid him by brushing my teeth 2 times a day but to no avail. If the teeth have to rot they will rot and no amount of toothpaste can save them. During our growing years we were not spoilt for choice of toothpastes like today and so ended up with spoilt teeth instead.

The dentist’s chair used to be like the Electric chair they have in maximum security prisons with straps to tie you down. Even the instruments were very crude and operational not by electricity but by pedaling on a cycle wheel. I am certain that they were the same contraptions that were used to torture prisoners in the Nazi war camps. The concept of overhead lights were still not in and instead he had a torch like device strapped to his head which he used to flick on and flick off like a smugglers secret code.

Every visit would end up in pain and tears and he would give chocolates to calm me down. I would obligingly eat them and obediently return to him for another filling soon after.  I now know that he was not interested in my tears but was instead laying the groundwork for my next visit.    

Mercifully, I survived that period of my life and have gone back to a dentist after almost 20 years. Things have changed in a big way. This time it’s a lady doctor with a perpetual smile. Even if it hurts I stick to my brave face not wanting to show her that I am any less a man. The chairs are like the ones in the First class of an airline and the instruments look friendlier too with no pedals in site.

The only catch is what a visit to the dentist could cost you in today’s times. Yes, the bills could give you a heart attack but then, not to worry, they also have a cardiology department next door, just in case.