i basically think dentists are a bunch of hucksters and charlatans that are driven by profit first and foremost, and i rarely take much of what they say seriously. my defenses come up very quickly...and i'm actually unusually careful about it, as a result of it.

it's the lack of regulation, in the system - dentists, in canada, are not really treated like doctors, they're more treated like auto mechanics. and, the result is that they'll rip you off in all of the same ways.

the last time i had work done in ottawa, which involved filling in the holes between my gumline and my teeth with some kind of resin, he told me immediately afterwards "don't go to another dentist". and, that's when i knew i'd made a terrible mistake. 

it's been years, and i'm coming to terms with the reality that he fucked up my gumline and i'm going to need to have it fixed. that's the business model, of course - they keep you coming back, that way.

so, i've got an appointment this week. and i'm going to have to finally accept it - i'm almost 40 (two months, now), teeth aren't infinite, cavities are inevitable and i have to adjust to the realities of aging.

i've never had a cavity. well...i have cavities, right now. i've never had one diagnosed or filled...

it's a bit of an identity thing. cavities are for dumb kids with bad diets and poor hygiene; i'd never get one. and, that may have been true for however many years, up to whatever age. but, time catches up to you, eventually.

what happened the last time i went through this is that i saw the $$ in their eyes and i ran off.

and, they very well may scare me off, again.

but, i need some work done.