My wife with her perfect smile has never had need to visit the ugly side of the dentist and his instruments of torture. She had gone first and been here many times before and has had nothing but good things to say. Skeptical as ever I questioned her review and was told I had no option to decline. \r
My normal expectation of the dentist is blood, sharp metal instruments, and needles. Over the years I have learned to dial back the tears, but at Downtown Dental Care I had no need for any of my general concerns. I was nervous sitting in the lobby as I read a magazine from the large collection, my mind was still wondering towards thoughts of pain, suffering and divulging whatever secrets got me out of the situation to come. I soon forgot about that as the contemporary music filled my head causing me to hum along. The calm and friendly demeanor of the reception staff put me at ease as well, but this was a trap I had fallen into many times before. They offered to validate for parking, but I had parked in a metered spot and needed change for it, they just happened to be able to help me out with that as well, this made me o so suspicious. Leslie came out and introduced herself and led me to the back, at this point I eyed the exit and thought about the domestic abuse I would face if I ran for it and decided to follow her to the back. Visually the room was comforting, the view of downtown Portland from the window, the TV mounted above the window and the massage chair were overwhelming. A wonderful cucumber melon candle gave a pleasing fragrance to the office. I felt a sense of relaxation with very little tension over the visible instruments. Leslie was a practiced professional whose gentle touch and comforting words made the time fly by, as a patient familiar with the horrific trenches of dentist past this was a welcomed experience that made me feel like I was at a spa as opposed to a dentist office. \r
Near the end of the visit Dr. Bailey, who told me to call him Lance and did not seem hung up on titles like every other doctor I had met in the past assured me this was a no pressure environment. He and Leslie spoke and finalized what they called a treatment plan explaining to me everything about it so that I could make an informed decision about what I wanted to do. They listed the items from most important to least. I then sat down with one of the office staff who gave me a print out of what the insurance would cover and what it would cost me out of pocket for the first item on the treatment plan so that I could have the information to talk to my wife about. Then on my way out they offered me a bottled water or frappuccino for the road. Wonderful people, wonderful experience I recommend this for anybody tired of bad experiences with dentist. \r
more