The Third-Generation Dentist

Once or twice a year I travel 3000 miles to visit my family and my dentist, Dr. M.

Dr. M is a third-generation dentist who operates out of the same residential office his father and grandfather kept.
It remains furnished as it was in 1920 and in 1970 and with every magazine Dr. M ever received and with flourishing houseplants.

Our local dentists are quick to adopt new technology and to hurry to show you your oral bacteria much enlarged so you are appropriately intimidated.
schiamachy:  an act or instance of fighting an imaginary enemy.

I figured out that in addition to his eccentricities and low overhead, I like Dr. M because he is The Good News Dentist.

Other dentists look in my mouth and say, "Hmm. Looks like there's been a lot of work around Number 24; and I think we'd better watch Number 18 - there's additional damage to the enamel. Now I need to this this and zich, and here are headphones programmed with your choice [of Bruce Springsteen or an ear-splitting Beethoven symphony] to calm you while I drill."

Dr. M looks in and says, "You have no idea how nice it is to look at a healthy mouth!  Well, I know you take good care of things, including your teeth.  I'll just do a little cleaning and you're good to go." We listen to the local radio station together and he tells me about his trip to Europe while he uses the electric buffer.
"You can rinse now," he offers frequently  - as there is no electronic gurgler dangling from my lip.

I leave feeling virtuous and clean, free of ominous threats.
I do believe this assists in dental health   -  mind over matter.