KPSS || CPSU || Mashnov

Slava had a terrifying fear of dentists since childhood. This fear intensified after a visit in his youth, when a young dentist filled his tooth incorrectly. The consequences were dire. Of course, everything was later corrected, but the aftertaste lingered for many years, developing into a persistent phobia. After that, Slava refused to hear anything about dentists.

Time passed. The boy turned twenty. He was no longer that shy boy. Life went on as usual, his teeth didn't bother him, and he almost forgot about his old fear.

The other day, Slava stood up for a girl whose bag had been stolen. A scuffle ensued, during which he was hit hard in the jaw. At first, it was just a small crack in the tooth. But then he couldn't eat on that side, and his gums turned red and swollen. His friends, seeing his suffering, forced him to make an appointment with a dentist.

On the appointed day, Slava sat quietly on a bench in the snow-white hallway. The room was disgustingly clean, smelling of antiseptic and something else that evoked unpleasant associations in him. The minutes dragged on unbearably, turning into hours. And finally, it was his turn.

The guy timidly entered the office and sat down on a special chair while the girl slowly pulled on her gloves.

"What are we complaining about?" a calm female voice was heard.

The girl turned on a bright lamp and picked up a medical mirror. Slava hesitated slightly with nervousness. The bright light flickered before his eyes, and his fingers began to tremble involuntarily.

"I stood up for a girl the other day, and they punched me in the face. Right in the jaw. I can't chew on the right side at all, and my gums are red..."

After the examination, the girl sighed heavily. The root of the tooth had broken, meaning there was only one option left—an extraction.

— You have a broken root there. The tooth needs to be extracted.

Slava visibly flinched. Tear out? The word was too terrifying right now. He swallowed hard. His voice was quiet, almost a whisper.

— Tear it out? Is that necessary?

He hesitated a little, wondering whether to tell or not.

— I just can't stand dentists. I'm really scared...