“Janet! I’m glad to see you. The receptionist told me that you called. This isn’t your usual six- month dental check up time, is it? What seems to be the matter?”

“Dr. Kaplan. I have a pain in my tooth.” Janet craned her head around as the dentist approached the dental chair where she was reclining. “I didn’t want to do like I did the last time and come too late. I don’t want novacaine and I don’t want my tooth drilled if I can help it.”

“Good for you. I’m glad you came in right away,” Dr. Kaplan said as he selected a dental pick from the instrument tray. “Open wide and let’s take a look.”

Janet held her mouth open while Dr. Kaplan looked at her upper and lower teeth, occasionally pressing down or scraping slightly with the dental pick. When he relaxed for a moment, she spoke.

“I didn’t tell you which tooth.”

“I didn’t ask. I wanted to see for myself.” Dr. Kaplan smiled. “It’s that upper 1st molar on the right, isn’t it?”