I’m told that Dr. Merryman’s mother, Priscilla reads my blog, and I want to dedicate this post to her. She did a great job raising this man.

I spent several hours in the dentist’s chair this morning; Dr. Merryman, who recently opened his practice in Schuylerville, N.Y., spent more than two hours working on my teeth; he repaired three of them, and two more will wait until Monday morning.

This is the most extensive (and one of the most expensive ) dental experience I’ve had, and once again, I am fortunate to find a dentist who is unlike any other dentist I’ve ever known.

First off, we had a good time.

Dr. Merryman is aptly named. He is a merry, good-natured, good-humored man. He loves people, what he does, and loves to laugh. I have never experienced the dentist as fun, but he is just fun; I don’t have any other word for it.

His smile, recorded above, is quite genuine; he smiles often and has a drill sergeant’s voice and belly laugh.

Beyond that, I left wondering what it was that felt so different.

First, it was completely painless.

I didn’t even feel the novacaine shot; he uses a new kind of needle that is so thin the patient hardly feels it.

(My big mouth. White spots are fillings. Thanks, Grandma, for those Tootsie Rolls.)

It takes him a bit longer to inject the novacaine, but this is worth it. I never felt a second’s pain before, during, or after the procedure, even though he had to work on, drill, and restore several teeth along my gum line.

This is usually a painful process in my experience.

I was not uncomfortable for a second. Sitting here at 2:30 in the afternoon, I wouldn’t know I had been to the dentist – no soreness or aches.

My well-being and comfort were important to Dr. Merryman, and his staff was cheerful and warm.  You can’t fake that.

Health care is a messy, confusing, and complex system for everyone these days.

I’ve learned to approach with the right attitude. My attitude, I’ve found, is as critical to my health as any medicine or medical procedure.

If I go into it whining, complaining, lamenting the cost, bitching about insurance, this isn’t helpful to anyone, most of all me. It’s just another way to be unhealthy and see the process as a drain and bother.

There are doctors willing to know, listen, and talk to me as a human being, not just a data point. It is true that most of them are women, but Dr. Merryman proves that there are men who are sensitive and take the time to be human.

My role is to be patient, courteous, and understanding. If I understand their problems, they will come to understand mine. Whenever I can, I bring Amish cookies or donuts to show the nurses and doctors that I know they work hard and also need encouragement, just as I do.

I have never been cruel, demeaning, or impatient to a doctor, nurse, or receptionist. They didn’t build the system; they just have to live with it, as I do. Sometimes, their own attitudes suffer.

I have no respect for people who treat them poorly.

What stands out about Dr. Merryman is his humanity; he hasn’t let the system wear him down, turn him cynical or cold. I get the feeling he likes to treat people.

I believe this will pay off for him. It already has; his new office is growing rapidly, and one day soon, he will be turning away new patients.

The staff got on me for not bringing Zinnia and strongly requested that she come on Monday morning.

I asked Dr. Merryman about his philosophy of dentistry since it felt so different.

He said he believes he should treat others precisely how he wishes to be treated. He has four young children, and they often come by to visit.

They brighten the office. There is something very real about the place; it feels like family.

Dr. Merryman said if the patient comes in and is in pain from needles, it will set a psychological tone for the whole visit. His idea is for me not to feel pain at the outset and get settled for a productive stay.

At first, I thought he was too nice to be a dentist. But that’s who he is, and I bet he stays that way.

Ingrid, the office receptionist, is also kind and helpful.

I was concerned about what I know will be a big bill, and I asked her about different payment plans, and she guided me to several ways to pay over time with no interest. That was a significant relief.

The practice is new and beautifully constructed.

There is real art on the walls, soft and modern lighting, and he has new kinds of drills and other equipment that are quick and painless. He says modern dentistry has come a long way.

I didn’t know that, but I felt it.

Dr. Merryman has tools that I had not seen before but was effective and efficient this morning. His drills were fast and discreet.

I’m not sure how that works, but I know how it felt – two hours of dental work on three different teeth and not a moment’s pain or discomfort.

The numbness had worked off by the time I got home.

That doesn’t happen by accident.

My many cavities – I am no stranger to dentistry – are a legacy of my wonderful grandmother, who ran a mom-and-pop food store along with my grandfather.

Every time I visited her, she often had penny candy waiting for me — tootsie rolls, licorice, red dots on paper, etc.

My mouth is a living testament to her love, perhaps too much love in this case. She took me to the movies every Saturday to see Jerry Lewis movies, her purse and pockets stuffed with candy.

Dr. Merryman navigated through some tricky situations this morning, I was close to having a root canal, but he avoided it. I loved how he and his tech hummed and sang while they worked.

The atmosphere was calming and bright. It was a pleasant place, and that was infectious. When I asked to take his picture, he smiled and said sure, his mother reads the blog and calls him up when she sees his photo.

Glad to help Priscilla; you’re a good and loved mom. You did right. Blessings to you.

I’m going back on Monday morning early. We have more work to do.

Zinnia is coming with me. Once again, I’ve somehow found a doctor I can talk with who knows something about me and has greatly exceeded my expectations, this is the third time I’ve seen him.

I am either doing something right or an astonishing lucky person.