Joey’s Trip to the Dentist

Joey was feeling excited. He usually ate lunch with his friends in the school cafeteria. Today was different. Today his dad was taking him to a special place for lunch.

“Where would you like to eat?” Joey’s dad asked.

“Sal’s Pizza!” said Joey.

“Great idea,” said Joey’s dad.

When they got the restaurant, Joey still felt excited. He also felt hungry.  Joey was so hungry that he ate two big slices of pizza with mushrooms.

His dad sipped a glass of lemonade. “Joey,” he said, “after you eat your pizza, we are going home for you to brush your teeth. Then we will go to the dentist. The dentist will clean your teeth this afternoon.”

Joey frowned. “But I don’t like the dentist’s office,” he said.

“Why not?” asked his dad. “They have books to read while you wait. They give you a prize when you leave.”

Joey was quiet. He did not like the way his stomach felt. “I don’t like the dentist’s chair,” he said.

The last time he went to the dentist, he did not like when the chair lifted him high off the floor.

“We will talk to the dentist about those things before you get in the chair,” Joey’s dad said. “I promise.”

When Joey walked into the dentist’s office, he felt scared. His stomach felt funny.

The dentist was a kind woman with white hair. “Hello, Joey,” she said.

Joey looked at the floor. He did not want to get in the dentist’s chair.

“Have a seat here,” said the dentist.

Joey looked up at his dad. His dad smiled. “Ask her your question,”he said.

“Do I have to sit in the chair? I don’t like when it lifts me up so high,” Joey said.

The dentist smiled. “You have to sit in the chair, but I will not lift you up very high. Will that make you feel better?”

Joey was not sure. He sat in the chair.

“Say aah,” said the dentist. She looked in his mouth.

Joey looked at the ceiling while the dentist cleaned his teeth. He didn’t feel scared at all.

“All done!” said the dentist. “You did a very good job.”

“Thank you,” said Joey. “That wasn’t scary after all!”