An autistic woman was today rendered inconsolable at a routine dental checkup by the assessment and diagnosis of a small cavity that may require a filling.
Dental hygienist Karen Hoyland, 34, delivered the devastating news with her standard chipper nonchalance but was shocked and disturbed by the gravity of her patient, 27-year-old Emma Bernard’s, response.
Hoyland explained: “She started sobbing and apologising like she was one of those American religious types expecting rapture.”
When asked who her patient was apologising to, Hoyland shrugged and responded: “Her teeth, I suppose.”
Liz McHodge, 55, the practice receptionist, commented: “I blame the tooth fairy. You introduce a character whose job it is to reward you for looking after your teeth, it’s only logical that a rule-based person will infer the existence of some kind of ‘teeth police’ that dole out orthodontic punishments.”
Dr. Graeme Hart BDS was advised to delay his entrance, as, despite his relaxed demeanour, he was reliably informed that the presence of any formal dental authority would almost certainly send Bernard over the edge. He said: “Have you ever had to explain to an adult that they’re not in trouble? It’s a harrowing task.”
When reassured that the cavity was not a reflection of her moral character and, in fact, could have been brought about by overbrushing, Bernard reportedly let out a kind of desperate, wounded howl and fled the clinic like a caged animal released into the woods.
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