If we look back to our childhood, there will always be a few traumatic incidents that stick out in…read moreour mind. Maybe it was when you broke your arm or when you lost your dog or had a fight with your best friend. For me it was every visit to the dentist! My dentist was a nice enough man who lived and practiced in my Grandma's neighborhood in the Bronx and she had known him since he was a young man. So, he was the dentist for her, my Grandpa my Mom and all three of my brothers. Like a dog going to the vet, the second we got into my Grandma's car to head to the dentist I went into a cold sweat. When we walked into the waiting room I hated the smell of everything around me, and when he sat me in that dentist chair I feared for my life. Don't get me wrong, he was gentle enough, but in those days they did not have nearly the quality of medication, technology and sedation that they have today, so you really had to take it all whether you liked it or not.
My Grandma knew of my incredible fear so she made sure to stay with me in the room whether he gave me an exam, a cleaning or a filling. I grabbed onto her for dear life as he shoved that enormous needle in my mouth to numb me. But nothing could have prepared for me for having my tooth pulled when I was 11. Picture a screwdriver and drill being placed inside your mouth a la Rocky Horror Show on top of that tooth that's about to go. Then visualize this strong dentist and his sledgehammer slamming against the screwdriver deep in your mouth to shatter your tooth so it could be pulled. Not only did he shatter my tooth but it felt like he was shattering my entire skull. I may have been in the Bronx but I am sure you all heard me scream in North Carolina!
I remember that afternoon laying on my Grandma's couch crying and bleeding and swearing I would never go back to the dentist again. Well, of course I did return again and again to the dentist and as much as I still hate it, I go religiously for my checkups and cleanings to this day. When my wonderful long time dentist Dr. Culp retired in High point, he recommended Dr. Margaret Szott in Greensboro. I had never had a female dentist but was certainly open to it. I'm sure she did not use a screwdriver and sledgehammer!
All I can say to you is that she is magnificent! I was almost hesitant to write this review out of fear that you all might contact her and become her patients and she would no longer have any time for me! Besides the normal stuff that you would always welcome like convenient location, immaculate facility, etc., what really stands out is the professionalism, warmth and care of her staff and especially Dr. Szott. Because of her, I am proud to say that I am 68 and happy to smile and show you my teeth. I'm not the best at personal hygiene so she has had to help me with cavities, crowns, implants, etc. She has the most modern equipment so things that used to take weeks take days and things that used to take days take hours or minutes. It's an absolute pleasure!
She knows I'm a big baby so we also use gas which is the best escape of all. Lots of times while she's plugging away at fixing whatever is broke in my mouth, I'm on my beach chair at Oak Island drinking diet coke and eating M&M peanuts I would like to give a special shout out to Charles at the front desk who is not only a true gentleman and consummate professional with an incredible welcoming demeanor but he knows what he is doing across the board like the rest of the staff. But most of all I must give my kudos to Dr. Szott. What a woman! I have so much respect for her and could never express how appreciative I am of her depth and breadth of knowledge, her calming personality, her tender care and her being sensitive to a complete lunatic when it comes to getting into that dentist chair
Prices for dentistry are out of this world, but that is regardless of where you go. I still don't understand why in the United States there is not a decent dental insurance policy. I spend thousands and thousands of dollars a year on my teeth and for some reason our crazy medical system sees it as something to be minimally supported. That's probably why so many people are walking around with missing teeth, gum disease and God knows what. If I were President, everybody would get free dental insurance!
The only thing my dentist from the Bronx gave me other than a phobia and trauma for the rest of my life was a toy or charm on the way out. Unfortunately, Dr. Szott says I'm too big for a toy or charm, but I would trade them any day for a crown being put on by her. And don't forget the gas!
