Teeth

I had my regular dental appointment at the government Periodontics Clinic on 24 August 2015. That was the 33rd appointment since I was referred to this clinic on 17 June 2011. The reason for the referral was that the private sector dentist whom I had been seeing did not have the tool to do deep probe and cleaning of the roots of the teeth. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Since that referral, I no longer need to see my usual private sector dentist. Since the government dentists look after my teeth, I have had my teeth checked every 45 days on average. The other benefit is that I paid RM2 to RM4 per visit and it’s free since I turned 60. With this record, I cannot say I am not being well looked after by the government dentists.

Still, government dental clinic is not the preferred choice if quick fix is needed. When one of my molars was chipped, I had it fixed by my private sector dentist by way of metal capping in just over a week. Had I chose to do it in the government clinic, that would have probably taken a couple of months!

But out of all the visits to the government Periodontics Clinic, my teeth were examined and treated by the Periodontics Specialist only three times. First was the checking at the pre-operation session; second, the actual gum operation and finally, the review a week later. The rest of the examination, review and treatment were all handled by young graduate dentists.

In the recent appointment, just before my name was called, an Indian lady (IL) came out of the consultation room followed by a young dentist (YD).

YD: Remember me, Mrs. ……, I was your student….

IL: (Looking intensely at the young dentist) Ya,  I remember you........

They then moved to one corner to talk and reminiscence for about 5 minutes before the lady finally left.

When my turn came, I had a small chat with this young dentist:

ME: You are new here?

YD: Been here 2 months already.

ME: Was that lady your teacher?

YD: Ya, my tuition teacher.

Then, something familiar flashed through my mind.

ME: Was your tuition in Taman Khidmat?

YD: Ya, how do you know?

ME: I stay there. She is my neighbour. I am surprised she did not ask her husband or her son to check or fix her teeth rather than come all the way to this clinic.

(I know the husband is a private dental practitioner and the son is another young government dentist who had at one time checked my teeth when he was posted for a short stint in this Periodontics Clinic).

YD: I am surprised too. May be the husband's clinic does not have the kind of equipment that we have.

By the time my session ended, I asked for his name...

YD: I am Dr. Tay.

ME: Tay, Is that Mr. Tay who used to work as an engineer in the Water Department in Tawau your father?

YD: Ya. You are…..?

I told him my name and asked him to send my regards to his dad which he happily obliged.

He is not the only young dentists who are the children of my peers whom I have met during the numerous dental reviews and consultations. 

Young dentists may lack the experience of the seniors. But I must say that this is well compensated by their zeal and enthusiasm in handling all dental cases brought to their attention. Sometimes, they go back to basic and start telling you how to brush your teeth properly and correctly. Other times, they would promote some new gadgets that aid teeth maintenance. Still some are exceptionally polite and would check on your comfort throughout the treatment. Some hardly talked and never asked whether the pain is tolerable or otherwise. Like any professional, they are all humans after all!