Mundane facts about your day: Part Deux.

[Cue]

Where would one get a banana split to go in Stafford…?

It seems like if you want good desserts, there’s honestly not many options as the majority of our restaurants are now traditional takeaways (all selling the same fudge cake) or dessert shops that sell expensive waffles and crepes

 

[staffordjas]

13. What is the length of his willy and is it centred between his ears ?

I'll be thinking of that now as I'm on his couch

Might just ring up and cancel the bloody appointment in the morning!

Been with the same practice all my life and never had all this palava before !

After spending half an hour earlier answering all the questions and only the checking in part to still do , but left that page until the actual day...
Now saying I need to complete 3 whole sections again. Wtf!

 

[Thehooperman]

Where would one get a banana split to go in Stafford…?

It seems like if you want good desserts, there’s honestly not many options as the majority of our restaurants are now traditional takeaways (all selling the same fudge cake) or dessert shops that sell expensive waffles and crepes

Probably here

But it will look like this

 

[Glam]

Yesterday I went with the Daughter in Law to the Odeon to watch The Lost City. Channing Tatum & Sandra Bullock. Throughly enjoy the film, and my first experience of the Odeon. Really liked the reclining seats, having done a night shift Sunday, I expected to nod off and be woken with a hefty nudge in the ribs, I snore like a warthog, and the noise would drown out the sound of the film!
Any roads, how gorgeous is Channing Tatum, I don't have a cat in hells chance of a bloke like him ever looking at someone like me, but ohmegawd, I wouldn't kick him out of bed for farting.

 

[Mudgie]

Just had a text from my dentist , with a questionaire that I HAD to fill in and sign before they will see me for my check-up appointment on Wednesday. Felt like saying stuff the check-up !
As well as giving the list of daily medications I am on which I can see would be important and emergency contacts........ another 8 sections on subjects which I've never had to fill in and sign for previously

They already had my name , address and appointment time filled in with the correct dentist, which really is all I can see they needed.

How many units of alcohol do I consume a week....
Do I smoke
Do I chew gum
Is my diet high in sugar etc etc
My occupation.
What operations have I had in hospital , or what other reasons for hospital stays have I had.
What injections in the past.
What ailments in the past , including cold sores.
About 10 + questions covid related , have I got it now, have I had it, have I had to isolate. (But interestingly not asking if I'd had covid jabs)
About 20 +questions health conditions related .
Am I allergic or scared / nervous of this ,that and the other
Am I nervous .
Am I happy with my smile.
Am I worried about wrinkles. ....what the hell is that to do with a check-up appointment????
About 20 questions trying to get me to tick yes so they could flog me other services such as smile enhancement, state of mind, implants, braces, face appearance transformations and a whole host of other treatments which I wouldn't even consider even if I needed them.

And a whole host of other questions completely not related to dental treatment at all.

Didn't ask if I was happy with my eyebrows , so I'm guessing they don't do waxing

Then last one is to 'Sign in now' .... is that so they can take my money off me before I've even walked through the door??? I'll sign in when I get to the desk!

For its dentists the NHS says that
" At your check-up, your dentist may:
- ask you about your medical history and whether you are currently taking any medicine
- carry out a full examination of your mouth, teeth and gums
- ask about your general health and any problems you have had with your teeth, mouth or gums since your last visit
- ask about and give advice on your diet, smoking and drinking
- ask about your teeth-cleaning habits and give you advice on the best ways to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy
- explain any risks, as well as dental costs, of all treatment you may need
- discuss with you when your next visit should be. "
All those are “may” not “must”.
A private dentist should be told that you won't be giving any more information than that, certainly not before the appointment.

 

[staffordjas]

For its dentists the NHS says that
" At your check-up, your dentist may:
- ask you about your medical history and whether you are currently taking any medicine
- carry out a full examination of your mouth, teeth and gums
- ask about your general health and any problems you have had with your teeth, mouth or gums since your last visit
- ask about and give advice on your diet, smoking and drinking
- ask about your teeth-cleaning habits and give you advice on the best ways to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy
- explain any risks, as well as dental costs, of all treatment you may need
- discuss with you when your next visit should be. "
All those are “may” not “must”.
A private dentist should be told that you won't be giving any more information than that, certainly not before the appointment.

This is NHS .Although last time I went as emergency with the chilli flake embedded inside the roof of my mouth a few weeks ago, I had to see one of the new younger dentists.
After cutting the flake out, he mentioned he hadn't got time to do a check-up of rest of mouth as a limited emergency time slot.
Then spent another 30 minutes trying to convince me to book private hygienist appts for bargain "special offer" price of £65. When that failed,then kept x-raying trying to convince me to let him book referrals . I left there convinced I was at deaths door!

Just tried ringing to make sure text really is from them ( from my own number for them).
After being in a queue on hold, got " Mr Wilson , is that you?" When I said no, I got hung up on.

 

[staffordjas]

Received the form via email now as well. Another thing that's going automated (except for having to ring for an appointment ).
What happened to the good old simple walking to the desk, giving name in to say you have arrived, getting treated, paying for treatment and walking out ??

Now asking to sign in now to say I've arrived tomorrow and then left again after treatment.

'We are pleased to announce that we recently introduced a new patient work-flow allowing you to fill your forms prior to arriving at Stafford Dental Surgery We hope this new work-flow will give you the peace of mind that all unnecessary points of contact have now been removed. This includes your arrival and departure through reception.
You can use the button below to complete your forms online: '

 

[tek-monkey]

Received the form via email now as well. Another thing that's going automated (except for having to ring for an appointment ).
What happened to the good old simple walking to the desk, giving name in to say you have arrived, getting treated, paying for treatment and walking out ??

Now asking to sign in now to say I've arrived tomorrow and then left again after treatment.

'We are pleased to announce that we recently introduced a new patient work-flow allowing you to fill your forms prior to arriving at Stafford Dental Surgery We hope this new work-flow will give you the peace of mind that all unnecessary points of contact have now been removed. This includes your arrival and departure through reception.
You can use the button below to complete your forms online: '

Covid has been a great excuse to minimise costly manpower actions and replace them with unproven and flaky digital systems that cost more than the manpower they replace.

 

[staffordjas]

Thought I'd check in now , as if you do it there on the day it says you have to find the code (which I'm bound not to be able to find again on my phone in my panic ) and scan it in on the automated machine in reception anyway ........

Clicked the 'Check in now' button....... got a 'Check-in unsuccessful. Please see the receptionist'

Is this a ploy to take my mind off the fear of actually going in the first place ? ( Did try ringing several times this morning to cancel it , but couldn't get to actually speak to anyone each time ! )

 

[Mudgie]

Thought I'd check in now , as if you do it there on the day it says you have to find the code (which I'm bound not to be able to find again on my phone in my panic ) and scan it in on the automated machine in reception anyway ........

Clicked the 'Check in now' button....... got a 'Check-in unsuccessful. Please see the receptionist'

Is this a ploy to take my mind off the fear of actually going in the first place ? ( Did try ringing several times this morning to cancel it , but couldn't get to actually speak to anyone each time ! )

When I last went to a dentist over two years ago there was a screen thing on the reception desk that I didn't know how to use so the receptionist had to ask questions and do it for me.
Overall though it was a good visit as I had a temporary filling that's caused me very little trouble over 28 months. I cancelled a subsequent expensive appointment for a root filling and some other treatment.

 

[PeterD]

Odd situation just.
My door is knocked and it's a girl, possibly 13 years old or thereabouts and at the end of my drive is around 5 of her friends.
She asks if she can connect to my WiFi to text her mum. I say sure but as I am uncomfortable giving out my WiFi password can I enter it, she texts then I get her phone to forget my WiFi. No problem.
I try entering the password from memory but got it wrong and didn't want to go looking for the password. Instead I say do you want to call your mum from my phone. She says no. I ask her if she is OK? She says she is.
Seemingly she then moved on to the next house, what I thought strange was all her friends appeared to be on their phones whilst this was happening.

 

[Mudgie]

Never had all that malarkey before mobile 'phones were invented and everyone knew where the nearest BT 'phone box was and which coins were needed for it.

 

[littleme]

Odd situation just.
My door is knocked and it's a girl, possibly 13 years old or thereabouts and at the end of my drive is around 5 of her friends.
She asks if she can connect to my WiFi to text her mum. I say sure but as I am uncomfortable giving out my WiFi password can I enter it, she texts then I get her phone to forget my WiFi. No problem.
I try entering the password from memory but got it wrong and didn't want to go looking for the password. Instead I say do you want to call your mum from my phone. She says no. I ask her if she is OK? She says she is.
Seemingly she then moved on to the next house, what I thought strange was all her friends appeared to be on their phones whilst this was happening.

Sounds very strange

 

[kyoto49]

Odd situation just.
My door is knocked and it's a girl, possibly 13 years old or thereabouts and at the end of my drive is around 5 of her friends.
She asks if she can connect to my WiFi to text her mum. I say sure but as I am uncomfortable giving out my WiFi password can I enter it, she texts then I get her phone to forget my WiFi. No problem.
I try entering the password from memory but got it wrong and didn't want to go looking for the password. Instead I say do you want to call your mum from my phone. She says no. I ask her if she is OK? She says she is.
Seemingly she then moved on to the next house, what I thought strange was all her friends appeared to be on their phones whilst this was happening.

You don't need WiFi to text?

 

[littleme]

You don't need WiFi to text?

WhatsApp?

 

[PeterD]

My thought was potentially out of minutes, text and data, so data for WhatsApp. But then as she didn't want to use an alternative and her friends were all actively using their phones, that's when alarm bells rang. I did ask if she was ok though. That was more important to me.

 

[littleme]

My thought was potentially out of minutes, text and data, so data for WhatsApp. But then as she didn't want to use an alternative and her friends were all actively using their phones, that's when alarm bells rang. I did ask if she was ok though. That was more important to me.

You did the right thing, and it does seem strange that her friends were using their phones, sounds like they were up to something.

My daughters phone has died before while she was out, but she's always messaged me from a friends phone.

WhatsApp, for those that may not know, you can use whatsapp to send messages without using credit or data. My 'rents still have a pay as you go phone and we were all sick of 1 word answers to anything when we messaged them (they were worried about the cost of the texts, I swear they thought they pay by the letter). Anyhow, we set them up on WhatsApp & we now get long sentences instead of y/n or yes/no!

 

[Cue]

Might have been someone with very little knowledge of what they’re doing finding some “hack any network!” tool or something daft like that… which probably wouldn’t do anything but they don’t have enough knowledge of what they’re doing to be aware of that.

 

[SketchyMagpie]

Off to see Skunk Anansie in Birmingham tonight.

 

[Lucy]

I bet that will be a great gig.