The Longest Day?

Categories: Smile For Life

So last week I voluntarily wore a tutu and a UCLA Bruin t-shirt for one solid work day. And I knew it would be the longest day of the week.

Dr. Von Bulow

So last week I voluntarily wore a tutu and a UCLA Bruin t-shirt for one solid work day. And there’s a distinct possibility that by the end of next month, I’ll be in costume if not character again for one full week.

There’s also the reality of one pie facial already received and a few more in the future. In fact, on tutu day, my entire team joined in; they didn’t have to wear the Bruin gear because why do all of us have to make the supreme sacrifice. No surprise- the team represented tutus way better than yours truly (I think that’s a good thing.)

Three of my core group even stepped up at the end of the day to generate self-inflicted non-selfie but Flip video-recorded pies-in-the-face. Dental Assistant Extraordinaire Kolleen and I managed a temporary pie dodge only because our last patient of the day insisted we do fillings without whip cream in our eyes.

By now you might be asking why all the foolishness? Maybe you understandably thought Temple City Dental Care (TCDC) was in the business of fixing teeth. Thing is we love serving our patients and restoring and guiding their health. But the magic that makes it happen is really all about people and relationships.

And how do friends and family acknowledge ultimate commitment, success and renewal? Don’t know about you guys but “Who let the Dogs out” and “Rock Lobster” come to mind. We have a sign hanging in our reception lounge that says we’re committed to “…making dentistry fun.” We take fun and celebrating success seriously around here. Is there really any better medicine than laughter? Is there a better learning tool than humor? Is there a better first impression than an authentic smile?

Here’s my default response to the possibility of my wearing powder puff blue: “So I once wore Bruin gear for an entire day. And after getting past the allergic reaction it was interesting to see how they live on the other side of the tracks: Couldn’t get a table at my favorite restaurant on a Tuesday night; got kicked in the shins by little old ladies in tennis shoes walking down Colorado, was stopped by Pasadena’s finest just getting into my own car…and that all happened in 10-minutes after I finally found the courage to leave my own house.”

My friends and family have never been that sympathetic when I take to whining. But they sure do enjoy watching me get over myself…a lot of that was going on last week…for a wonderful cause. And I hate to admit it and maybe this makes me a tutu-wearing closet bruin wannabe (ugh) but what I thought might turn out to be the longest day of the year was a total blast.

I once heard Anthony Robbins describe fulfillment. Robbins shared fulfillment was life’s most precious gift; it was the gift received on making a difference for others simply because you choose to do so.

Since 1998, Smiles for Life has added fulfillment to the lives of dental teams across the nation. This week, we celebrated accomplishing a goal on the way to a bigger goal we hope to achieve when the campaign ends on June 30. Never thought wearing a tutu and powder puff blue could be so much fun.

Whiter, brighter Smiles are for sale at discount prices through the month of June; it’s the chance to pass those smiles forward to the sick, disabled, or disadvantaged children who will benefit from every dollar.

And who am I to debate Anthony Robbins? I’m just sayin’ fulfillment might be way more accessible…once you get over yourself.

Ask us about Smiles for Life.