[crick]

I probably would have just said "yes, she is but not for long as soon she'll be ours forever." Then it turns it into a positive direction and more often than not you'll hear "oh, that's great!"

I agree, people say things without thinking and usually don't mean to be insensitive. It's important I think to smile often and say things that help make others see it's a good thing and not a bad thing. There's nothing "wrong" with being a foster child and M needs to know it's just a part of her, not her whole being. In other words, don't allow others to make that label her whole existence.

For example, I have been almost deaf for most of my life. When I was little, if people said things like "oh, she is deaf or can't hear", my mom usually said "yes, and she's also smart, funny and cute" etc. which helped open people's eyes a bit. Also taught me that being deaf was not a shameful thing, just a part of who I am.

Obviously there are those who are just plain rude etc. and that calls for some different handling at times. However, in this case, I think the dentist was just preparing in some ways for the visit. You might call again and explain your irritation but I really don't think he meant to be rude.

Crick