I went to the dentist this afternoon which is something I never thought I'd do here because while Italy is great at the doctor stuff, out living us and having lower infant mortality rates and such, dentists have never seemed to be their forte.  Italians of my generation and up have pretty lousy teeth.  There is no twice a year visit routine and braces are something that just came into vogue about 20 years ago.  I've also heard horror stories from locals and expats alike, so have always been very wary.  I still go to the same dental office in Brunswick that I started with at age 7, (just a few years ago).  Well let me say that I am pleasantly surprised by my visit today.  This is a fairly new facility that employs 30 dentists and innumerable assistants and technicians.  It is in a huge faceless building, (I really couldn't even tell you the color), in one of the business/industrial areas outside of Torino.  Inside the place is ultra modern, all glass and metal, clean and efficient.  I hardly had to wait at all, had wonderful service and all for a lot less than in the States.  How un-Italian!  Of course this place is private and not covered under the National Health Care.  The dentists are all bright, young things.  My assigned dentist is a shockingly handsome guy who studied in England.  He is barely past puberty.  Only the facial hair stopped me from asking him if his mother let him play with those sharp implements.  I was in and out so quickly I had time to read a few chapters of my book while waiting to pick up Grace after tennis.  Happy Thanksgiving to all!  Wish we were there to share it with you.  June seems a long way off.  xxoo me