Okay. here's the thing: I have two fears: dentists and clowns that are also dentists. I have never had a root canal in my life and when the news arrived that I had to have TWO root canals, after considering suicide by overeating, I thought: okay: you're a tv/film writer. When you write a script what do you do first? Research! So I googled the words, "Best Endodontist in New York" and right after a picture of Sir Lawrence Olivier in "Marathon Man," came Dr. Steven Kaplan. I leaned in an scrutinized his face just like Larry David, trying to peer into his soul. Is this guy really good? How much PAIN will be involved. Then I read some of his Yelp reviews and my floor hit my jaw. There were like 800 five star reviews. People LOVE this guy. I mean LOVE. He's sweet, he's skilled, he's comforting. He wears one rakish yarmulke. He even has a reputation for correcting other endodontists mistakes. This is not pulp fiction. So loaded with new found courage and a brown bag to breath into, in I went and all I can say is WOW. Crisis averted. First of all gives you TIME. He's in no hurry to get to the next paycheck. He lingers. He kids you. He plays your favorite music. He lets you sing in the chair. He gives you this Pina Colada tasting pre-shot numb stuff. And here is the miracle of it all: I felt NOTHING. Not one single thing. It takes a good 90 minutes and you do feel like you're getting the same treatment as the new Tappan Zee bridge. I have no idea what he was doing but it felt like Rodin was in my mouth sculpting. Now okay, that night and the next day: a little sore. But he called me to check in. Who does that? I opted for a little Tylenol with codeine and frankly I have had worse afternoons. It was like being the good part of Mary Tyrone. Look, as I said: I'm a writer. And Jewish. So you know the craziness that churns inside. We lionize our fear and carry it on ours shoulders like Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra. So if you are in any way like me and have ANY fears about this process, my heartfelt suggestion is to RUN to this guy's office. You cannot possibly be treated better or with more respect. Now I gotta admit: kind of looking forward to my next one. Whi are you still here! Go book an appointment!