I like to study how process and how things are put together. When I went to Epcot Center, I was constantly trying to determine “How did they do that?” At GM’s Truck & Bus Plant #2 in Pontiac, Michigan, I was in awe of how they ever got all those parts to that quarter mile final assembly line in the correct order.
This week, I was actually studying the process at the Endodontist office. If you don’t know what that is, consider yourself lucky. The rest of us know that the Endodontist is Root canal Specialist! And that is why I was there – a root canal.
I hate the dentist chair, I tense up in it, even if it’s just for an exam. So when you actually do work, I’m in a knot. This time was slightly different. I’ve been working on the notion lately that your mood is actually of your choosing. So I chose to take a light-hearted approach to the root canal.
Of course, I wasn’t 100% successful, but it helped. I began to observe the process going on for my benefit. A lot goes on during a root canal procedure. And it’s two people working together – the Dentist and his assistant. But there isn’t a lot of talk.
He will switch from this drill to that drill and she always knows what he needs next. Perhaps they have some non-verbal signals, although I suspect part of it is they really know the process they are doing together.
I started noticing that he would do some work, reach a stopping point and pull away. That seemed to be her cue to move in and rinse. Occasionally, he would say something that caused her to pick up pen and paper, repeat what he had said and write it down.
It was like a symphony with an invisible conductor. It was clear that they had their signals worked out. He would call for alcohol, and she would return with three different items.
It was an excellent example of team work. Each person knew their roll and knew the procedure they were doing. Things went smoothly and I found that studying their process took my mind off what they were doing to me. And I did relax, if only just a little.
photo credit, radiant guy