The Dentist.

I went to the dentist today and I've never known a dentist to be so excited about the work someone has had on their teeth. This guy really must love teeth and his job. Dr. Telejane is the dentist and his assistant is Me' Masoliso who has worked with the Dr. for 23 years; almost as long as I've been alive. This last bit of information I kept to myself, of course! In the beginning I mistook her to be my dentist (Dr. is one of those androgynous titles). She was flattered but corrected me and asked me to sit and wait for the doctor.
In no time at all the doctor arrived. A short man, about my height or shorter came in. He had a good size weight on him that made him seem healthy but not skinny. His lighter complexion first lead me to believe he was just a light colored masotho though I was later thrown for a loop when someone mentioned they thought he was Indian. Either way, this old guy was pretty funny.
He didn't make much small talk but went straight for the jokes.
“How many sheep do you have up there in Semonkong?
Do all your wives get along?
Do you find it hard to feed all those kids you must have up there?”
This guy was out of control. All these questions were interspersed among actual medical questions.
“Are you having any problems, sensitive teeth, pain, bleeding,” the usual questions, right?!
Taking his first look he was so surprised. Now if you don't know me then prepare your self for a short dental background. You've been warned, something I was not ready to relive when Dr. T ask his assistant to come over a take a look for herself.
“Me' Masoliso, come take a look! You won't see this again!”
I took them everything.
1) Since two I've had thin enamel which continues into my adulthood giving me sensitive teeth.
2) I had braces for five years.
3) I had several dental surgeries, a few which still amaze me today when I smile!
4) I still have and use my wisdom teeth. (the Museum of Natural History will be contacting me soon about their missing link to human evolution exhibit, I can feel it)
5) I'm missing two lower molars.
6) I have two extra top eye teeth.
Please, keep all your comments to yourself! I got enough teeth talk and a strong freak complex from Dr. T. Through all of this I was laying in the chair, my mouth open and my eyes scanning these two faces looking back, not at me, but my teeth. Dr. T started to explain something about how 'normal' people have 32 teeth that come in but the wisdom teeth usually come out. I, however, have 30 teeth that all fit. Then he tried to wrap that all into some thought about evolution. Twice I tried to follow what he was saying but failed to capture what he meant exactly. Anyway, the rest of the time he spent cleaning my teeth and talking about all this with his assistant like I wasn't there. At least he didn't insist on talking to me with all that stuff in my mouth.
As he finished up my chart I noticed that he was the first Masotho I ever noticed who was left handed. I joked with him how there are some cultures were people can't be left handed because it's disrespectful; that's your dirty hand, I told him. I don't think anyone has ever laughed so much as he did; joshing with me and calling Me' back over to join in the joking. I like to think I have contributed to the next person's dental experience from that last little exchange!

PS: Thank you Mom and Dad! Yes, there are people out there who can admire all the time and money put in these pearly whites! Love you!