It has been a long time since I wrote an email about my time in Bhutan. My experience this morning lends itself to an exclusive journal entry.

I had the most wonderful experience this morning. I took my little Dago and his teacher Gembo (great friend of mine and who is nearly 100% blind) to the dentist. I had the use of a friend’s car so I pick them up at the Monastic school and off we went. I love my time with my little friend Dago and Gembo.

Dago appeared very curious at the hospital, as all the dentists in Bhutan are located at the local hospital. It was a new experience for all of us, so we were a bit lost, wandering around with Gembo and Dago following me as we finally made our way to the appropriate waiting lounge.

At 9am the receptionist arrived and flung open her little window which you had to bend down to get a glimpse of her and her working space. The crowds rushed to the window and no respect was shown for those whom had been waiting longer nor was a traditional queue formed.

Everyone stood crowded around with a piece of paper in hand so I began to doubt that I was in the right area. However I voiced my inquiry and one individual said he also did not possess a paper and that it was also his first visit, this was reassuring news.

I gave Dago’s full name to the receptionist and made up an age (12) in order to complete the first stage of our visit to the dentist. I was instructed to head to door #1. We sat outside door #1 not knowing what to do. I wondered if another receptionist would come out and call a number, but we were not given a number. Then, another person obviously waiting to see the Dentist proceeded to the door and entered. I was puzzled at the system and waited to continue my observations so we could master the system.

I received some inquisitive looks from the Bhutanese onlookers, as I am sure everyone is wondering why the westerner is visiting the dentist with two monks. After sitting outside door# 1 for some time, one of the many onlookers, a Bhutanese woman, decided to assist me in understanding the system and pointed me in the right direction.

We entered into a room with a dentist, the dentist’s chair, and a patient sitting there with their mouth open. The assistant in the room glanced at our form and directed us into the next room. We proceeded into the next room and again, a patient sat in the chair while this Dentist casually performed the procedure with bystanders (Dago and myself) staring.

Dago was so nervous, as he did not know what to expect nor could Gembo explain what to expect because he had never visited a dentist in his life. Gembo is 37 years old. With the language barrier, I was helpless and could just reassure with a smile that everything would be fine.

We finally wander into the middle of the room with the dental chair where Dago would eventually sit after I almost had to drag him. His eyes where scanning the room nervously as the last patient got out of the chair. Here in Bhutan there is no privacy – people wander into the room as though there are no doors or no concern to honor someone’s privacy. It is everywhere, even when you are getting waxed; people just wander in like it is nothing (quite funny and takes some time to get used to).

The dentist called Dago over and told him to sit in the chair, however Dago showed some resistant. At first the best the dentist could do was to get Dago to rest against his leg so at least he could get a glimpse of what teeth Dago had remaining in his mouth. Dago has a tendency to extract his own teeth. He has pulled four teeth out since I arrived back in Bhutan.

Due to the lack of teeth in Dago mouth, I was nervous as I was under the impression that Dago was extracting his adult teeth. Today the Dentist reassured me by telling me these are his baby teeth and that the molting process is just beginning. I was relieved by this news and this also indicates that Dago is about 7 to 8 years old as there is no record of his birthday.

The dentist told Dago to sit in his chair, yet again Dago did not move. The dentist literally had to force Dago into the Chair and throw his legs up to rest. Even with Gembo’s verbal assistance, it was a fight. It was truly priceless and I was internally laughing the whole time. With the large light in place, the dentist examined Dago’s teeth and said many things to Dago in Dzongkha, their national language. Dago just nodded and when the dentist asked if he brushed he teeth, he said no.

Well one advantage of bringing Dago to the Dentist was that he got off easy this time as the dentist told him to start brushing his teeth, every day. Dago is still scared about the dentist so this may motivate him to brush his teeth. The dentist asked me to bring him back in 3 months time and to try to improve his dental hygiene. It looks like I will buy my entire class toothbrushes and paste in attempts to get them to understand the importance of brushing their teeth.

I think the dentist and I may be seeing a lot of each other as I explained that I have a whole class of monks that I may be bringing in to see him. He just smiled and nodded. I do not know if the dentist honestly believes that I am going to be bringing 40-50 monks to see him. I jokingly mentioned to Gembo that I should borrow the Monastery’s bus and load my entire class and go visit the dentist.

I have also managed to make cleaning appointments for both Dago and Gembo. The Dentist in Bhutan is free should you need a tooth extracted or a filling however there is a cost to cleaning. In addition, they only clean one person per day. I will happily foot the bill for Dago and Gembo and for that matter any other monk in my class should they wish to get their teeth cleaned. A cleaning costs $6.00 per individual. It is not that expensive but it will add up should I take all my 40 monks to have their teeth cleaned.

Upon dropping off Dago and Gembo back at the Monastery I mentioned to Dago that I would be more than happy to keep bringing him back to the dentist. If he wishes not to visit the dentist so frequently, he should start to brush his teeth on a regular basis, and of course I said this with a cheeky little grin.

Upon our next dentist visit, I am going to bring a digital camera so I can explain to the rest of my class what to expect when they visit the dentist for the first time.

 

I will end with a glowing heart,

Verdell