Bubble-gum smell.  Humor.  Cool glasses.  Good music.  It’s not a 3-D movie or a ride at Disney…it’s my dentist’s office…Ariel J. Rodriguez, D.D.S. in Glendale, California.
    I arrived with my luggage since this was my last stop before my return flight to MIA.  I was greeted by two lovely women, who asked me about my trip, were genuinely interested, and then gave me a tour of the office.  I was then escorted to one of the rooms towards the back for my cleaning.  
    Music started playing (a little compilation of Tori Amos, Jem, and 80s music…love him!).  Dr. Rodriguez handed me some cool glasses to wear, at which point I was confused…was I giving a cleaning?  Was I welding something?  Well, this doctor firmly believes in safety first, and these glasses prevent spit, flying toothpaste and other things in flight from landing in your eyes…
    Then my nose caught the scent of bubblegum, and I was intrigued.  I had the urge to sniff all around their hands like an anteater searching for food, but it might have been a strange thing to do…then I realized…bubble-gum scented gloves!  I love this guy!
    Then the fun began…the water pik, the sucker thing (I love) that extracts the collection of spit and water from your mouth so you don’t ingest that healthy mixture of bacteria and blood, the little tools that pick at your teeth. 
    With that little u-pick tool in my mouth, my dentist began asking me questions and smiling since he was well aware I could not answer.  Then, he told me, “Remember how I told you that your daughter has to use that fluoride rinse?”  I nodded.  “Well you need to also.  Will you?”  I nodded.  “You’re not agreeing because I am holding this sharp instrument inside your mouth, are you?”  I started laughing, which involved spitting and drooling. 
    We were done.  Well, not really.  I had cavities.  He couldn’t let me return to Miami without caring for it so…
    New room.  New chair.  Filling time.  
    At this point, my jaw was tired, and apparently I have a small bite to begin with (I’m not proud), so he used what I like to call a little yoga prop for my mouth that kept my right side open while he worked on the left.  30-45 minutes later he was done.  He asked me to keep in touch in case I had any sensitivity.  He actually gave me a follow-up call for the next couple days…what dentist does that?  My dentist, Ariel J. Rodriguez, DDS, that’s who.  
    So, if you’re near Glendale or even if you’re in Miami and want a vacation and a filling…here’s how you can reach Dr. Rodriguez:  428 W. Arden Avenue, Suite 201, Glendale, CA 91203.  Phone number: (818)243-4287.  Email: drarieljulian@gmail.com.
    I give Dr. Rodriguez 5 bubble-gum scented gloves!