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It Can’t Get Any Better Than This... Can It? (The Remix) by Dr. John F. Miller DDS
I think we can all agree that the last 2 months have felt like a lifetime. The last time I was writing for you folks the country was just beginning to shut down. I had just closed down the Smile Montana Kalispell office completely and retained 3 employees to help me manage any dental emergencies out of our Columbia Falls location. In other words, I furloughed 25ish employees and 3 Doctors. It was a scary time. At first, we thought it was just a twoweek thing but then it became apparent that it would be longer, how long nobody knew. So much uncertainty. We ultimately canceled and rescheduled over 2000 dental and hygiene appointments. I’m very happy to say that we were able to resume seeing patients in May with a few minor procedural modifications. Presently and for the time being, patients are invited to wait in their cars in lieu of the waiting room, we take their temperature upon arrival, we have medical grade air purifiers, we have more advanced and protective equipment and clothing, and it’s all good. We are just glad to be back with our patients and communities doing what we love to do.
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I would also love to take this opportunity to announce the opening of our 3rd Smile Montana location in Whitefish. When all the Covid-19 madness hit 104 406
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we thought that it was very inopportune timing for opening up a new location, but with the 2000 canceled dental and hygiene procedures we have realized that we are fortunate to have the extra space and the extra help. Right now, I’m going to throw it back and remix an article I wrote some years prior. This would seem to have been a more optimistic time but definitely relatable to our current situation. Enjoy:
Music plays a big role in the Miller residence. We have a Spotify playlist for almost every activity, mood, and location. We have speakers in every room and on the patio. We have a studio with guitars, basses, microphones, drums, keyboards, mixers, etc. We like to make noise and listen to noise. One song in particular that the kids have on consistent rotation is by a group called Twenty One Pilots titled Stressed Out. The chorus of the song is as follows: Wish we could turn back time, to the good ol’ days When our momma sang us to sleep but now we’re stressed out The song goes on to reveal that the reasons for the stress are the normal responsibilities that come with adulthood. I found myself not only digging the tune
a little bit, but also totally relating to it. Especially the line about the artist's preference for tree house homes over student loans. As my 7-year-old son Banksy strolled past singing along to the chorus I asked him, “Banks, what do you think he means by ‘the good ol’ days?’” Banksy replied, “I don’t know Dad.” So, I followed up with another question, “Do you know what it means to be ‘stressed out?’” Of course, his answer was “Nope.” Let’s go back to the time when we were less stressed out. To the good ol’ days. When our laughs and smiles were pure. Think of the amazing and phenomenal things we have witnessed. Things we would never believe had we not seen them with our own eyes. How many times in my life have I uttered the words, “they’ve done it, it can’t get any better than this.” How often have you thought those same things? How many of you are thinking that right now with your iPhone 11 whatever in your hand streaming the newest release in whatever they're calling the latest and greatest version of high definition. Pretty dang-stinkin unbelievable, am I right? A little over 5 years ago a Dental Rep (DR) stopped in my office wanting to discuss a certain piece of dental tech called the CEREC that allowed the dentist to offer porcelain restorations in one appointment. Highly aesthetic porcelain crowns in one visit bypassing the need for a temporary, a second visit, and the possibility of having to be numbed a second time.