July 20 And It Really Didn't Hurt!

Today Theodosia went to the University to "swear" and get her Masters degree. I did not understand this "swearing" and she explained that degree candidates have to take an oath to uphold the honor of their profession and their school, to always act ethically and to do nothing to bring shame upon them. Without the oath, they do not get the degree. She received the highest "grade" they give.

While she did that, Aris took me to the dentist for extraction of my broken tooth. The dentist speaks about as much English as I do Greek. With Aris as translator, the dentist said I had two options. He could pull the root of the broken tooth, or he could fashion a temporary tooth that would be okay until I went home and then I could have someone build me a bridge to close the empty space. I agreed to building the temporary tooth.

This dentist had the best hands of any dentist I have ever gone to. Even though the tooth itself had no nerves and so no feeling, he never poked or pinched my gums at any time. I could not believe it! Even though I could tell what he was doing, he was so good he moved flawlessly from one part of the operation to another without at any time causing me pain in my gum! He drilled four holes in the base of the tooth and screwed in pins and then built up a temporary tooth little by little. He smoothed off the tooth and I was done. No novacaine, no x-ray, no rubber gloves, no assistant. He did wear a mask and washed his hands. He was obviously a seasoned professional. He had all modern equipment and the one-room office was in a house, perhaps in his own apartment. I was most happy. The cost was 70 Euros, about $100, inexpensive for the work that he did.

I was so pleased with the work of the dentist that the K. family think they may try him for their own dental care, as they do not have a regular dentist. They found this one for me by asking their neighbor who referred us to him. Evidently he is the dentist who also attends the mayor's needs. Can there be a better recommendation than that? Perhaps my experience is a stronger recommendation yet.