Ask Candid Candace: Does fear of the dentist drill have you panicked?

Dear Candid Candace: I'm a pretty normal, functioning person apart from one major, admittedly somewhat insignificant, flaw. Whenever I'm at the dentist office, sitting in the chair, and the drill sound comes on I go into full-fledged body debilitating panic mode.  Really quite embarrassing, but there is something about that sound and the ensuing drilling on the teeth that gets me every time. This might be out of your "wheelhouse," but any suggestions?---Disaster at the Dentist

Dear Disaster at the Dentist: Show me someone who loves a dentist's drill and I'll show you where the Leprechaun's Pot O' Gold can be found. NO ONE likes this sound, it makes people anxious, raises their blood pressure and makes them want to avoid the dentist at all costs. Dentists through the years have tried everything, from noise-cancelling headphones to listening to music on IPods but nothing has been effective until now. According to Dr. Kenneth Chae, of Bright Dental of Logan Square, there are a couple of drill-less dental options. Air abrasion, currently used for small cavities in children and adults, uses small particles to blast away tooth decay, almost like a sand blaster. Dental hard tissue lasers are another alternative. However, the best plan is to try to prevent cavities before they begin, with regular brushing, flossing and check-ups. But then you knew that.

Dear Candid Candace: Religious question for you. I am married to a young lady of Catholic faith, from a large Catholic family. We go to church most Sundays, and even though I am non-religious myself I enjoy going to church as a time of solitude, thinking and reflection. I follow most of the rituals (except obviously taking Communion), standing when appropriate, but when it is time for kneeling to pray, I don’t really feel comfortable doing that. I choose to stay sitting. Occasionally I get some strange, off-putting looks from folks nearby. As a simple courtesy do you think I should kneel as well, just going with the flow, even though my inside compass is telling me not to? A little “godly” direction is requested here. ---One of the Few in the Pew

Dear One of the Few in the Pew: I think it’s wonderful that you support your wife in her faith and I don’t know of any church that wouldn’t welcome you. A church should be a place of solitude and reflection and, from your comments, this is exactly the type of comfort it provides for you. Catholic of the Latin Church protocol says it’s not rude to simply sit. Even for Catholics, much of this is not mandated, but according to custom. Also, many people can’t kneel simply because of age or injury. So, follow your inner compass and do what suits you best. I’m sure your wife is simply delighted to have you by her side.

(Ask Candid Candace: Send your questions to candidcandace@chicagostarmedia.com)