I'm on my way to the Dentist wearing my K/E button and

[Minimus]

my Proud to be a Democrat button.

Good idea or bad idea?

I guess I will find out if my Dentist is a rebup based on the amount of pain he causes.:scared:

I'll keep you posted.

[sam sarrha]

1. BAD IDEA

[gatlingforme]

5. I agree. If I am going to the dentist I will be neutral to ensure I

receive non partisan pain... LOL

[soothsayer]

2. my dentist is an Objectivist (Ayn Rand asslicker) and hates Hegel

(the philosopher). Never talk about things philosophical with yer dentist. Prolly goes for pollyticks too.

[goddess40]

3. Don't fear the dentist

My dentist is Repuke and knows I am a Democrat as he passes my house every day and I have 7 yard signs supporting Democrats. He is always professional because he likes my money more than he dislikes my politics.

[drbtg1]

4. well, from the other side of the drill...

I'd hate to say it, but I don't think it would be wise.

Personally, I don't care about any of my patients' politics with regard to my practice. If they're Democrat, I'm a great dentist. If they're Republican, I'm still a great dentist. Had a patient this morning who had a Bush sticker on his car. He now has a beautiful composite restoration on one of his mandibular molars. And no, we didn't water down the anesthesia.

However, I've met too many of my fellow dentists who are short-sighted scumbags. Not all, but too many, and I'd hate for you to run into one of them.

[AntiCoup2K4]

7. "...And no, we didn't water down the anesthesia....."

But you thought about it, didn't you Doc? :evilgrin:

[drbtg1]

8. LOL! No, not really

Even if I was that evil, I don't need the aggravation. I've been doing this long enough to know working on someone who isn't "comfortably numb" (best song for a dental office ;) ) makes my job much more difficult. Patients start jumping and suddenly I have to work on a moving target while avoiding things like cheeks and tongues. More importantly, when someone isn't numb enough, I have to worry about the possibility of endogenous epinephrine (adrenaline) affecting blood pressure. Can be dangerous for some.

Usually when politics come up with patients, it's generally light-hearted banter. I have one patient, military guy, who likes Hannity. Another who like Rush. Very nice people and we talk about politics like some folks talk about the Yankees and Red Sox. Some are way too hardcore to have polite coversation. About a year ago, one guy, without anything political from my mouth, started chatting away about Iraq and stated "God bless George Bush". I just gave him a saccharin, "oh, isn't that sweet" grin and sent him on his way.

A couple of weeks ago, I had an elderly lady ask me about stem cell research. After I told her what I thought, she said, "well, maybe all this will improve when John Kerry is elected." I gave her a thumbs-up, to which she stated, "Good. I was testing you to see how you'd respond." :)

Ultimately, they all get my best work in the chair.

[FlaGranny]

12. You reminded me of

something I'd rather forget - the trip to the dentist for an abscess and an extraction. The anesthesia didn't work and I wound up nearly dislocating the dentist's arm out of pure reflex reaction from the pain. I allowed him to pull the tooth anyhow after we discussed the options. It hurt like hell. I don't recommend the experience.

[drbtg1]

13. Sorry to hear that

Of course I can't talk about the specifics of your situation, but usually in the presence of a slight to moderate infection, I usually recommend a course of antibiotic treatment prior to endodontic treatment or extraction. Depending on location, infections can block anesthesia.

[Minimus]

6. I'm back from the dentist and now I respect him even more...

his only comment about my button was he watched a little of the debate last night and he said he is not political but does vote.

He did not say if he is a Democrat or repub, which I think was professional of him.

As I was leaving I joked with the assistant that I was worried he would hurt me if he was a republican. He overheard me and chuckled.

Also, he told me he would not recommend a root canal for me at this time. So it is also nice to know that he is not trying to line his pockets. (hmmm, maybe he is a Democrat?)

[proud patriot]

9. Brave

[SuffragetteSal]

10. if you sense he doesn't like it

find a new dentist!

[qb]

11. I went to see a pulmonologist and she was wearing a Kerry button.

Screw professionalism - the future of the country is at stake!