Dentists’ Fish

Took Lilly to the dentist today to face the inevitable when it comes to a genetic disposition toward tooth decay—both her parents sport many fillings dating from our youth, and one or two of more recent vintage, tucked away there in the semidark—and a diet rich in processed sugar and corn syrup. Sure enough, the dentist spied a few budding holes. We will return soon for repairs.

It was an opportunity to see the large aquarium, stocked with colorful tropical fish, that the six-dentist practice maintains in the waiting room. Which must be some kind of mandate from the state that comes with a license to practice dentistry: “Licensees are required to maintain in a public area of their practice an aquarium (fish tank) inhabited by not fewer than four (4) aquatic creatures, preferably tropical varieties…”

Besides a thumping water-pump that made the aquarium hard to sit next to, our dentists had about six fish, and large rock complex, but no bubbling diver or chest o’ gold or shipwreck. The joint Illinois House-Senate Subcommittee on Decorative Aquarium Features must have decided to make those features optional during its deliberations, despite the urgings of the Model Seachest Manufacturers Association, headquartered in downstate Effingham.