On the Subject Age, Needles, and God's Goodness

My career as a Dental Hygienist began this late summer when I was 19 years old. I've come to realize that age is very important to some patients, so I am very grateful that I am now 20.
Sometimes during my "small talk" with patients I mention something my little brothers, then they ask further questions and it comes out that I still live with my parents. "Well," they say, "you must not be very old yourself." At this point I usually hesitate, trying to decide if this is the sort of patient I can trust with the knowledge of my age - that is if consider me incompetent or not based on my age.
Then comes the question, "Did you have to go to school for this?" "Oh yes!" I reply, "Two years prerequisite work and two years in the Dental Hygiene program," but what I'm really thinking is, "No. I just had a needle in your mouth and it requires no education whatsoever." Gracious of me, I know. . .
And then there was the time that a patient came in and somehow knew my age. He asked everyone he saw, "Are you the 20 year old hygienist?" (it turns out my office manager told him) Then when I got in the room he quizzed me on my qualifications, and when he was satisfied with my answers opened his mouth and let me take periochart readings on him. Thankfully, he is now a devoted patient and says that he "won't see any other hygienist but" me.
Overall, however, there have been no negative experiences aside from a few patients doing a double take of me when I come into the room and say, "Hello, my name is Shaylee. I'm the hygienist here, and I'm just going to get you numb for doctor."

God has been very good to me. I am so grateful for His loving, merciful presence in my life, and for His abundant blessings. I take comfort "His mercies are new every morning." I know His grace goes with me every day I leave for work, and I only pray that I am a testimony of Him to all those I see during the day.