We were eating dinner the other night when one of the boys flinched while chewing. When asked what was wrong and he said he had a tooth ache. I asked how long he has had it and he kind of shrugged "a long time". So I asked the other boys how many of them have tooth aches. Well today I'm at the dentist with 3 boys ages 16, 18 and 19- their first trip to the dentist.
We left this morning at 8:30 for a dentist in Nyeri town. We arrived at the dentist by 10. The nice thing here is you don't have to have an appointment. The down side is you wait your turn. Around 1:30 the three boys and I were all called into the exam room. As the dentist was examining them he had me look and was showing me the issues he was seeing. Upon first look it took all I had hold back my tears. Imagine if the cavities you have had over your life had never been treated and you often don't brush your teeth because you don't have toothpaste or a toothbrush...
As the dentist and I were discussing the treatment plans which include an incredible amount of fillings, 2 root canals and gum treatment, I asked him "how much pain are these kids in and how do they handle it so well?" his response, "they've experienced a lot of hardship and unfortunately this is something they have gotten used to..."
So sad!! I had tears just reading this.
ReplyDeleteAunt Peggy
How awful! Glad they are finally getting some help!
ReplyDeleteUgh, how is this paid for?
ReplyDeleteAshli Pyle
Ashli, I get to pay for this... but we are starting a new project to make jewelry that we will sell in order to raise money. That way I can take some of the other kids that need to go as well.
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