This being National Children’s Dental Health Month, I always think back to how we started this magazine. It was the result of a terrible dental mistake.
When my son’s mom was breastfeeding him in the middle of the night, we didn’t know that his little baby teeth needed to be brushed. No one ever told us.
Then, when he was 18 months old, it turned out he had two cavities and needed to be put under anesthesia to have them taken care of. It was traumatic and his mom and I cried as he was put under. It was just so shocking.
I kept wondering why we were never told that even breast milk can harm teeth if they weren’t taken care of. And thus came one of the most important themes of Growing Up in Santa Cruz: find experts to give advice to parents all along the years of raising their children, from infancy to college.
We’ve been lucky in having so many great experts right here in our county and have filled this mag every month now with local content giving advice and featuring people who grew up here and have done wonderful things.
And thinking for a minute about dentists, check out our cover where the nonprofit Dientes is helping underprivileged children and adults get the care they need. That’s what this country is about, isn’t it? Sharing from those who have with those who are in need. I’m so proud of their work and of the people who support them.
When we talk about making America great, this is truly what makes this country and Santa Cruz great. Thanks Dientes.
Speaking of dentists, I’m amazed at the progress so many local ones have made. On the fun side, my son’s dentist, Alison Jackson, has a video screen built into the floor of the waiting room, so kids and their parents can play stuff while they wait. Brilliant.
One of my past dentists, Stuart Goldberg, not only was one of the first to have overhead TV screens so you could watch while he worked, but he knew your musical taste and would have your favorite tunes and videos ready when you got to his chair.
I found my current dentist, Audrey Wingo, because I needed 3-D images taken of my mouth and for a while you could only get those over the hill. She was the first I found techy enough to do it here. Not only that, but she uses a 3-D printer to make your implants, something that used to take three visits to size and file down and send to the labs and back. Now, she did it all in minutes.
One last dental reference: When I was a kid, my dentist, Abe Kroll, was a tap dancer who would practice his steps while waiting for fillings to dry. He ended up dancing in the movie Ishtar, with Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty, so even though he’s long gone, I can see him on the screen.
I worry about dentists, who studies show have a high suicide rate (twice that of the ordinary population). I can understand why. Unlike, say hairdressers or doctors, they are in a profession where they really can’t have a good two-way conversation with their clients. One of us always has their mouth blocked. It must be hugely frustrating. No wonder he tap danced.
So here’s my salute. Talk to them. Enjoy them, if you get a chance to speak. And drop us a line with your recommendations for the best local dentists. Tell us why you love them.
One fun only in Santa Cruz thing to note: Our local camp that teaches kids how to make movies has its big screening at the end of the month (see ad here). It’s been one of the best things my kid has ever done. We got started by attending one of the screenings. Check it out.
Have a great month and a great mouth.
