If you read this column regularly, you know that I'm not crazy about making changes in my life. For instance, when I see a "new and improved" label on my cereal or detergent, I'm not a happy camper.
But I said good-bye without a bit of hesitation when my dentist, whom I've seen faithfully twice a year since the late 1980s, announced that I was no longer welcome in the practice unless I submitted to yearly x-rays.
I've had one cavity in my entire life, and suddenly they claim they really can't treat me adequately without annual x-rays? Hmmmm. And they found that one tiny cavity how? By poking it with a pointy stick. No x-rays involved.
It makes you wonder what's behind this new and apparently widespread policy: concerns about liability and lawsuits? dicta from insurance companies? Even the American Dental Association recommends x-rays only every two or three years for those of us with good teeth and good hygiene.
Not to mention the radiation involved, and, yes, the cost. I absolutely don't mind spending time and money on preventive care that I consider valuable. But I think this is unnecessary overtreatment, and the whole situation makes me feel used. I also don't like the fact that the dentist delegated to the hygienist the onerous task of informing patients about this policy change.
As consumers we're told that an important part of containing health-care costs in this country is asking questions and making informed choices about treatment rather than submitting to cookie-cutter-style medicine (or dentistry). Well, that's what I'm doing.
Let me know if your dentist's office has instituted a similar policy, and what your reaction is. Based on the reactions I got on social media, dentists are at risk of losing a lot of patients over this:
1. "We left our family dentist for the same reason; also because so many of the heavily pitched services seemed to be designed to generate income."
2. "They did same thing at my dentist's office. I told them I would not come in if they required that. Dentist agreed that it would not be required. Really, once a year is just too much!"
3. "My longtime dentist retired a few years ago. The new guy installed tons of new equipment, started charging more for everything, and insists on panoramic x-rays, which I have avoided thus far. I'm looking for a new dentist before my next appointment, too."
4. "Sad when Drs and dentists do hard-sell one-size-fits-all work," said another friend, whose husband and kids joined her in leaving their dentist after he insisted on yearly x-rays. "We don't go to a dentist to pay off the equipment debt," she said.
Saturday, October 17, 2015
LONGWOOD: Nightscape is closing soon
Just a heads up that Longwood Gardens' amazing Nightscape light-and-sound show ends at the end of this month. If you haven't gone, I recommend it highly: we thought it was really magical and a great couple's night out. You'll hear a lot of people talking about the big display by the lake, where the projected lights make it look like that the trees are progressing through the seasons, but I thought the trippy indoor Palm House display was just as cool and a lot more intimate.
My favorite part of the show, though, was the more playful topiary garden display, where the bushes seemed to change into yurts, stone idols, rotating tractor tires, and then ranks of blaring horns, all set to the rhythm of pulsing tribal music.
Don't miss taking a look at the main fountain renovation project. I knew it was a major work in progress, but somehow it didn't occur to me the massive amount of earthmoving that would be involved. There's an information kiosk on the terrace overlooking the fountain garden that tells you all about the fountain project, which is slated for completion in 2017.
My favorite part of the show, though, was the more playful topiary garden display, where the bushes seemed to change into yurts, stone idols, rotating tractor tires, and then ranks of blaring horns, all set to the rhythm of pulsing tribal music.
Don't miss taking a look at the main fountain renovation project. I knew it was a major work in progress, but somehow it didn't occur to me the massive amount of earthmoving that would be involved. There's an information kiosk on the terrace overlooking the fountain garden that tells you all about the fountain project, which is slated for completion in 2017.
INJURIES: An unfortunate return to the saddle
A friend reports that she was getting her mail at the Unionville post office when she encountered a fellow customer walking with a crutch. The postal employee told the patron that her black eye looked much better than the last time she'd been in.
"Let me guess," said my friend to the injured woman. "A riding accident?"
The woman looked amazed.
"How did you know?" she gasped.
"Oh, just a wild guess," said my friend.
The woman shared the story of what happened: THE VERY FIRST TIME she'd gotten on a horse after a 20-year hiatus, she'd gotten bucked off and broke her pelvis.
"Let me guess," said my friend to the injured woman. "A riding accident?"
The woman looked amazed.
"How did you know?" she gasped.
"Oh, just a wild guess," said my friend.
The woman shared the story of what happened: THE VERY FIRST TIME she'd gotten on a horse after a 20-year hiatus, she'd gotten bucked off and broke her pelvis.
Friday, October 16, 2015
TOUGHKENAMON: Three cheers for New Garden!
My friend Joan is looking for information about this handsome "Toughkenamon" pennant that someone donated to the New Garden Historic Commission.
"I want to get it framed to hang in our history room In the NG Twp. building and would like to be able to put the information with it.I thought if you would mention it in the Tilda Tally Ho column we might have a good chance that someone will recognize it and provide its history."
Readers, does anybody have any information? Let me know at uvilleblogger@gmail.com if you do!
"I want to get it framed to hang in our history room In the NG Twp. building and would like to be able to put the information with it.I thought if you would mention it in the Tilda Tally Ho column we might have a good chance that someone will recognize it and provide its history."
Readers, does anybody have any information? Let me know at uvilleblogger@gmail.com if you do!
SPORTS: A scholar, an athlete and a gentleman
Yesterday afternoon I watched the Young Relative win a Patton Middle School athletic competition (I don't want to "out" him by being more specific). He did an awesome job, came up and gave me a sweaty hug after the race, and I didn't think any one human being could possibly be any prouder of another -- until I saw him go up to the boy who finished behind him, shake his hand, and say, "You gave me a run for my money!"
Sportsmanship is alive and well, at least in the amateur leagues.
While walking across the field to the competition, I passed the middle-school football team practicing. They had to do a bear crawl up a steep slope, in their full gear, while the coaches stood at the top watching.
"Come on!" called out one coach. "You can dog it when you're old!"
I can't wait to share that one with my Y teacher.
Sportsmanship is alive and well, at least in the amateur leagues.
While walking across the field to the competition, I passed the middle-school football team practicing. They had to do a bear crawl up a steep slope, in their full gear, while the coaches stood at the top watching.
"Come on!" called out one coach. "You can dog it when you're old!"
I can't wait to share that one with my Y teacher.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
LIBRARY: A Curiosity Creates grant for children's programs
While the Bayard Taylor Library's Board may be dysfunctional, the library staff is soldiering on nonetheless and still managing to provide excellent services to the public.
In fact, the library recently received a "Curiosity Creates" grant from a program that Disney funds through the Association for Library Service to Children. Seventy-nine grant applications were funded out of more than 400 applications. Other Pennsylvania winners were the Carnegie Free Library of Beaver Falls; the Free Library of Philadelphia's Kensington Neighborhood Library; the Lillian Marrero Neighborhood Library; the Monroeville Public Library; the Reading Public Library; and the Widener Neighborhood Library.
(I couldn't help noticing that the grant was awarded in the name of the "Bayard Taylor Memorial Library" rather than the "Kennett Public Library.")
In fact, the library recently received a "Curiosity Creates" grant from a program that Disney funds through the Association for Library Service to Children. Seventy-nine grant applications were funded out of more than 400 applications. Other Pennsylvania winners were the Carnegie Free Library of Beaver Falls; the Free Library of Philadelphia's Kensington Neighborhood Library; the Lillian Marrero Neighborhood Library; the Monroeville Public Library; the Reading Public Library; and the Widener Neighborhood Library.
(I couldn't help noticing that the grant was awarded in the name of the "Bayard Taylor Memorial Library" rather than the "Kennett Public Library.")
CLUELESS: The path not taken
Apparently some people manage to reach middle age without the experience of pushing an injured or ill friend or relative in a wheelchair. We were at an event last night and the woman behind us said peevishly to her friend, "Why are those people being allowed to take a shortcut?"
To his credit, my companion turned around and said, "Because they're in wheelchairs, and wheelchairs have a hard time on gravel."
"Oh," she said, possibly aware of how insensitive she was being. "Oh. Well then that makes sense, I guess."
To his credit, my companion turned around and said, "Because they're in wheelchairs, and wheelchairs have a hard time on gravel."
"Oh," she said, possibly aware of how insensitive she was being. "Oh. Well then that makes sense, I guess."
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