How is a great dentist like a great teacher? Here’s the partial list that I created after I visited my dentist today.
They both have genuine smiles on their faces and greet you warmly.
They both make the patient or student feel comfortable. Today my dentist offered me a blanket while he was performing the procedure on my teeth.
They both explain what they’re doing; the dentist describes the procedure as it’s happening and the teacher coaches the student as she teaches.
They both use soft voices and answer any questions as carefully and completely, as possible.
They both make you want to stay.
http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/solsc-2011-30-of-31/
Elisa Waingort 
Now that's an intriguing idea–dentists and teachers. I certainly hadn't thought of it, although there are certainly some interesting parallels!
Happy WRiting–see you next year.
Elizabeth E.
http://peninkpaper.blogspot.com
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I like what you wrote and I see all but one of the correlations….As nice as my dentist is….I never feel like I want to stay. love you, evie
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Hey evie,
LOL! Yes, maybe that was a stretch. I guess I felt like I could stay longer and it would be OK.
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My dentist told me to “shut up” in between a root canal because I mentioned it hurt. A lot.
Following that incident I was never able to like a dentist again!
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Yes, and there are also teachers that scare students away. That's why I compared a good teacher with a good dentist. But regaining trust, whether with your dentist or a teacher, is never easy to do. That is why as teachers we must take the work that we do with children and their families seriously – maybe even as if our lives (and theirs) depended on it.
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