The children's denist

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When I first came to New Arden to join the dental practice there I didn't understand the town that well. The practice I joined was run by Mike Gower, a large affable man. He was a good general dentist. I myself specialize in children's dentistry. Not all people like working with children in the field. They are seen as less predictable than adults and to put it bluntly more likely to bite. For the most part Mike let me handle the children but I noticed that sometimes he would hold one or two cases back saying cryptic things like, "I don't think you're ready for that one Jeremy"

It perplexed me, in dentistry I know that reputation is everything, clients refer each other. What did it mean if Mike didn't trust me? Eventually I confronted him about it. I wanted to know what was so different about these children that he thought I wasn't up to working with them. Mike sighed and said;

"Some of the children of New Arden are a bit different."

"What is it some genetic disorder?"

"Not exactly."

He paused, "listen if you are really that keen then I'll let you sit in on the next one but you have to promise not to say a word."

The appointment when it came was unusual. It was after hours for one thing, Mike said this was because they had to travel down from the mountains to get here and also for privacy. At the appointed hour an old black car pulled in and a tall pale woman and her small son got out. She was very beautiful with dark mesmerising eyes. Mike went out to greet them since the receptionist had gone home.

My job was simply to watch and act as Mike's dental nurse. He helped the little boy up into the chair and adjusted its height. He looked over some x rays and turned to me:

"Jeremy this is Timothy" the little boy grinned and I noticed that he had some very sharp canines. I shivered some instinct for self preservation switching on.

"Today we are going to do a filling on one of Timothy's back molars."

Timothy nodded.

"Timothy has promised me not to bite."

Again the little boy nodded gravely.

"Because Timothy is a vampire" Mike finished.

I tried not to stare, had I misunderstood?

"Now open wide" Mike instructed.

I closed my mouth which had dropped open while the child opened his mouth wide bearing his fangs.

"Retract them please."

I watched as the sharp teeth withdrew slightly

Mike set about his work cautiously. He tapped the molar tentatively and withdrew his hand quickly as the child flinched.

"It hurts?"

The little boy nodded.

After that it pretty much went like clock-work, Mike gave him a local anaesthetic, drilled out the old decay, cleaned up the tooth and then put in the filling. I passed him dental tools as he needed them. At one point I glanced up at him and noticed that he was sweating.

At the end he gave Timothy some water to gargle and a little time to recover. Then he sat down across from him.

"Now we need to talk a little about your dental care, you need to floss more."

"Yes" lisped Timothy

"And stay away from sweets."

"I don't eat sweets, I think the meat just gets caught in my teeth."

"Oh of course, but please floss, we'll give you some on the house."

We took Timothy out to his mother, she gave me a close lipped smile. I realised she must be a vampire too. After they had gone we tidied up. Eventually Mike turned to me and said.

"Not all of them are as good at that one, I have to put some of the little nippers under."

"Are there a lot of vampires in these parts?"

"Oh quite a few and with them discretion is everything"

He gave me a penetrating look.

"I'll not say a word." I reassured him.

"Well if you're up for the work I'm happy to have you."

After that I slowly began to work more with what Mike called the special cases. I can't say it was ever easy. It was a bit like being a lion tamer in some ways you needed good nerves. It remains however some of the most rewarding work I do. 

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