Sir, a longstanding patient came in recently and prior to treatment I informed him that he would not need local as the tooth was non-vital. Quick as a flash he replied 'It may not be vital to you but it's a very important tooth to me'. That comment reminded me of Tony Hancock in The Blood Donor who after having had his blood tested said 'It may only be a smear to you doc but it will be life or death to some poor wretch'.

1. Lowestoft