It is a chilly March morning outside the McKenna residence. The wind rattles leaves in a corner of the yard and swings a knotted rope that is tied to a tree. Along with two friends, the spunky, green-eyed five-year-old Taylor McKenna is having fantastic adventures in her backyard. They are pirates, explorers, anything that requires boldness, daring and agility. In a burst of thrilling inspiration, Taylor catches the swaying rope and scampers up the tree. Perched nine feet above her friends, Taylor calls, “Matt, Jen, watch this!” Commanding their full attention, she clenches a knot between her teeth and jumps.
Mrs. McKenna has just put away the breakfast dishes when her young daughter bursts through the door, bleeding and crying. After calming Taylor and cleaning her mouth, the unalarmed mother pieces together the events that have transpired.
One of Taylor’s front teeth is now missing and another is very loose, so Mrs. McKenna schedules an emergency dental visit. The “Grandpa Dentist,” as Taylor calls him, talks to her about the importance of teeth and how to use them properly. After setting her mind at ease, he goes on to tell Mrs. McKenna how to detect possible abscesses and infections. Taylor is fairly quiet during the visit.
On the drive home, she finally pipes up. “Mom, I just don’t understand something.”
Expecting a question about what the dentist said, her mother replies, “What’s that, Sugar?”
“Well… this never happened before!”
Flabbergasted, Mrs. McKenna could only say, “Are you going to do it again?”
With an incredulous little laugh, Taylor said, “Well, no, Mom. I don’t have any teef!”
