Dentists: I was talking to my old Dentist some time back and telling him that as a kid in the 1940s-1950s going to the dentist who at that time had those old belt driven grinders...

Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

I was talking to my old Dentist some time back and telling him that as a kid in the 1940s-1950s going to the dentist who at that time had those old belt driven grinders terrified me. i would beg my parents to just have teeth pulled instead of being ground on or delay those visits. It wasn't until I enlisted in the Navy in the 1950's that I was worked on with the new HIGH speed grinders that I survived. must be many dental chairs with finger grip marks in the arm rests. He told me when he was in dental school and used those old belt driven grinders that he had this old cranky hard ass professor/teacher who tried to get close looking over his shoulder, was a real nuisance. He said one day he got so close that his Toupee got caught by the belt of the grinder and snatched off the professor's head! For those of you who never had to be worked on by those things, YOU ARE LUCKY!

Smokey2 Loc: San Diego

My Dad was a dentist, and I remember those belt drives. I wonder how long those things were. Some cool engineering going on there,with them having to pivot to any angle. I was a'scared too!

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

The young wife was in the dentist's chair, chattering away. The dentist was patiently listening as they had been friends as couples for a long while.

She said they were thinking, or trying to decide whether she would get new teeth, or to have a baby!

The dentist was getting a little anxious due to the extra time was costing him money, said; Well, makeup your mind so I can adjust the chair! Just Sayin...RJS

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Kerry Hansen wrote:

I was talking to my old Dentist some time back and... (show quote)

I don't remember belt driven, may have been to scared to open my eyes in the 50's and early 60's.

But do recall family dentist worked out of his basement. Smoked like a chimney while drilling away. And of course mom smoked too while sitting there watching. Wonder 2nd hand smoke didn't do me in.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

I remember one of my first trips to the Dentist…he had a sign on the wall, in plain view of the chair which read “Painless Dentist…2 flights up!”
His office was on the 1st floor of a 3 story office building 🤔
I understood, but did not appreciate the humor…

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Kerry Hansen wrote:

I was talking to my old Dentist some time back and... (show quote)

I remember those old drills.. might as well have been a jackhammer

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

Robert J Samples wrote:

The young wife was in the dentist's chair, chattering away. The dentist was patiently listening as they had been friends as couples for a long while.

She said they were thinking, or trying to decide whether she would get new teeth, or to have a baby!

The dentist was getting a little anxious due to the extra time was costing him money, said; Well, makeup your mind so I can adjust the chair! Just Sayin...RJS

Ha ha!

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

Don't remember belt driven drill but didn't have many dental problems as a kid. Making up for now tho...last implant surgery next week and final permanent bridge from the back molar. Been messing with this close to a year now. It'll put my horn out of commission for a week but at least it will be finished!!!!
My childhood dentist was Dr. Sunshine.

Frank romero Loc: Clovis, NM

Kerry Hansen wrote:

I was talking to my old Dentist some time back and... (show quote)

Didn’t experience this, but how many remember the old hair clippers? Dad used them on us. He didn’t let them cut before pulling them. Would get mad when we stared crying and would tell us that men don’t cry.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

I remember a pair that weren't electric. You squeezed the handles together to work them.

Frank romero Loc: Clovis, NM

Flytier wrote:

I remember a pair that weren't electric. You squeezed the handles together to work them.

Those were the ones. Our hair was not cut as much as pulled out.

JKD

My favorite dentist was a Navy Cmdr while I was a Marine. Now I know why - it was the newer equipment!!!

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Speaking of dental visits, I did not sit in a dentist's chair until I was 21. Having grown up in an oil field our water had a high iron content. I honestly don't know whether that made any difference or not, but even at 21, I had no cavaties.

Yes, over the next 60-odd years, I have had dental work done, a few cavities, and such but all treated successfully. Even as I am approaching 90, nothing major has occurred. As far as I know, I will 'check out' with the same teeth as I started.

Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

Frank romero wrote:

Didn’t experience this, but how many remember the old hair clippers? Dad used them on us. He didn’t let them cut before pulling them. Would get mad when we stared crying and would tell us that men don’t cry.

You mean those ones where you squeezed the two arms on the clippers to make the teeth move back and forth to clip the hair that are now run by little electric motor?

Frank romero Loc: Clovis, NM

Kerry Hansen wrote:

You mean those ones where you squeezed the two arms on the clippers to make the teeth move back and forth to clip the hair that are now run by little electric motor?

Yes thank goodness