The lesson here? That maybe we all need to keep a stuffed toy in the office.
Cape Town, South Africa (08 December 2025) – Nobody’s counting down the sleeps to a dentist appointment. Not in excitement at least. Sorry dentists, we love you, but we sometimes don’t like you.
That’s why we don’t judge Cape Town choir singer Shadwell Overmeyer, who recently went into panic mode when a toothache forced him to the dentist.
“The pain was NEXT level, while in Clicks… I left the store and realised I cannot continue to ignore the pain especially with my lifelong terror of needles I went into full panic mode.” he shared.
Anybody who shares the same fear will know how quickly a regular healthcare appointment can turn into a nightmare when a needle is brought out. It’s called trypanophobia, and it can even lead to the avoidance of necessary medical care like vaccinations.
Frightened as he was, Shadwell did the brave thing and headed to Happy Tooth Emporium at Goodwood Mall.
The dental team quickly noticed how anxious he was and, instead of brushing it off or rushing him through, they chose kindness. In fact, they had it ready and waiting.
“I’m still emotional about what happened. The team saw me being all anxious and stuff, the dentist smiled and said ‘We have a nervous teddy for situations like this’… next thing I know I’m clutching a stuffed elephant like a 5-year-old.” he added.
And so, that’s how Shadwell made it through to the other end of a very real fear, with the help of a stuffed toy and a kind team of understanding professionals.
Good things show up in the most unlikely places, even in a dentist’s chair.
“Shoutout to the kindest dental team ever for turning a nightmare into something actually sweet. If you’re scared of the dentist, go see this dentist. They get it. They soema did a few fillings and a tooth clean. I HAVE NEVER LEFT A DENTIST THIS HAPPY.. THANK YOU!” he shared.
It’s a little reminder that being gentle with one another paves the way to kindness. And that sometimes, an elephant in the room is a good thing. Imagine the office politics that could be solved with a stuffed toy…
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