Silence Please!

Typically, we are encouraged to visit our dentist twice a year, or once every six months. This enables us to maintain healthy oral hygiene, keep our X-ray records up to date, and ensure that we get a new toothbrush at least that often. Overall, I don't have a huge beef with going to the dentist. Granted, I hate waking up early and those are usually the appointments I can make and I hate scraping sounds with are so often heard in this particular offices, but otherwise the dentist is usually a pretty safe place. However, I always get a little uncomfortable with the dental hygienists. It's not that they are scary or unapproachable or anything, in fact, the problem is that they are far too nice. They want more than anything (perhaps more than polishing and flossing your teeth) to know every small detail about everything in your life. For example, if you are a college student they are most certainly going to be interested in not only your major, but also where you live, what clubs you're involved in, where you like to eat, what you do for fun, and probably what you wrote your college entrance essays about because chances are they have a 14-year-old nephew who "will be in college soon" and is obviously seeking the academic advice of his aunt's patient. And the worst part is, not only are you having these pointless conversations with someone you maybe see twice a year, but you are having them while you are laying down with their hands in your mouth. This puts you in hands down the most awkward position ever, not to mention the most mentally tiring. Your mind is in constant limbo as you ask yourself "Do I answer? What does she care? And is it more important that I make meaningless conversation with her or put my mouth in the best position for the best clean possible so that I get my money's worth?" I'm sure that these dental hygienists get their teeth cleaned on a regular basis, so certainly, they should be aware of the awkward situation one is put in when they are asked questions while they have hands and contraptions in their mouths. I understand that they likely feel as if working in complete silence may be rude or uncomfortable, but it's a simple request I make of all hygienists and all dentists.