A Visit to the Dentist in Morocco

A while before this trip, I lost a filling in one of my molars. I know, I know...I should have gone right away to get it fixed, but it wasn't bothering me (much), and I was so busy with trying to get my school work and work work under control before my vacation, I just didn't make the time.

A few days ago, this molar started to reallllly hurt. I was soaking cotton in Oragel and packing the hole and consuming tylenol like candy to just tolerate the pain. What to do? I am in a foreign country, after all....no Delta Dental here!

The pain was so bad this morning that my ear was even throbbing...so I finally mentioned the pain to Samir. Well, I really mentioned it because his mom kept asking why I was so pale and quiet.

His parents insisted Samir take me to the dentist right away. I resisted, not knowing the cost without insurance. I also confess I was worried about the quality of the care I would receive, and my inability to express what I needed in Arabic or French. Samir promised to stay with me, so I finally gave in and we went.

Unfortunately, we (shouldn't Samir have known this??) forgot that the city essentially closes down between noon and 3 pm, in order for families to have their large meal of the day together. When we went to the office at 12:30, it was closed. Back home we went, where I took a nap with some pharmeceutical assistance.

We returned to the office at 3, and rang the doorbell (yes, you ring a bell to get into most offices here). A girl with a sweet smile answered the door and welcomed us inside like it was her home. Samir explained my dilemma, and she ushered me into the Doctor's office. RIGHT AWAY!

Samir again axplained to the dentist, and he led me to the exam chair. The nice girl was also the assistant, and she began to drape me with the paper bibs. No X-rays....the dentist used his eyes and a mirror to see the problem.

May I impress upon you the feeling of terror I felt at this moment? Samir, the assistant, and the dentist were conversing away in Arabic. Some familiar dental procedures are occurring...but some are not. Some of the office equipment looks like stuff I recognize...but other things seem to be absent. I still didn't know how much this was going to cost, either.

Samir kept explaining to me in monosyllables what was going on, but not near enough to suit me or to soothe my haywire nerves. Samir seemed comfortable, and was nodding understanding at the dentist.....so, I just lay back in the chair and opened my mouth. Talk about Trust with a capital "T!" Well, that and desperation to have the pain just end.

So...The Dentist suddenly had that big Novocaine needle in his hand. Ummm...isn't he supposed to numb my mouth with some topical analgesic first??? Ack! Nope, apparently not. My whole body tensed, as I am well aware that huge needle hurts like mad, even with the topical numbing agents applied by U.S. dentists.

But...No? No pain? At all???? He inserted the needle over and over. I could feel pressure just like always, so I knew he was hitting all the same spots. However, without even one twinge of pain! Amazing....

Then, the assistant had me rinse out my mouth (none of those hoses forcing water and sucking air from my mouth, here). I was completely numb. Ahhhhh....sweet relief!

The Dentist then started drilling, and I rinsed and spit once in a while. No. Pain. At. All.

He drained a small abcess (He told Samir that if he'd known there was an abcess, he wouldn't have begun the procedure. However, he would finish now that he'd begun.), packed it with medicine, and put a temporary filling in. I am to return Saturday morning for the permanent filling.

The assistant then went out to the reception area for us to pay. The cost was about 274 Moroccan dirhams---which is $35 U.S.!!! And that is it. No more money is due on Saturday! Can you believe that???

I was there in the office for about a half hour, and my pain is gone. Completely. I don't even have those after-twinges of pain I always have at home. Amazing.

Score one for THIS country's Government-Sponsored Health Care program! So glad they even treat foreigners....