urgh, a necessary evil::
why do you find swallowing at the dentist "awkward"? it is a perfectly natural process that all of his patients would do.
It's not really awkward the first time, but I tend to do it multiple times in a row. I swallow, the dentist will pause and let me do it.. and just when she's about to start I'll feel the urge again. If it happens like 3 times in a row, and repeats later it can become a little awkward.
Especially now, since I have a cold and there's a lot of itching slime in my throat. :C