Destine for the dentist

It wasinevitable; I was destine to go to the dentist while here! I mentioned a whileback that a crown broke and I opted to wait till I go back home to get it fixedsince the dentist here is the reason why it broke. Well this time, I had nochoice, I needed to see a dentist ASAP. A couple of weeks after returning fromthe States, I developed a gum infection around a crowned tooth. It got puffyand sore. I tried flossing extra good and using Listerine but to no avail, itwas getting worse. Then I noticed a bit of pus. Soon after I developed a feverand was feeling so ill. I slept for like 2 days. What could I do, I had to go.I knew I was going to have to go to a major city and none are nearby. I refusedto see the dentist here in Umphang and I did not trust to go in Mae Sot. I havea friend here who has a horror story form her trip to the dentist in Mae Sot sono thanks. I emailed someone who has served here for 5+ years to see if she hadany recommendations. Through her, I was put in touch with someone else and manyother very helpful people after that. I ended up going to a dentist in ChiangMai, which is 10 hours away. The infection started on a Wednesday and I calledthem by Saturday when I developed the fever. They gave me an appointment forTuesday and told me to start taking antibiotics, which I did. Feeling so ill, Iwas not up to the trip. I had the 4-6 hour blue car ride from here to Mae Sot,then another 2 hours to Tak via mini bus, then another 4 hours to Chiang Maivia bus. I arranged to at least be able to sit in the front seat of the bluecar, but the driver I went with was leaving town at 4am! Thank God when I wokeup Monday morning I was feeling better, my fever had broken! Chiang Mai is nota cheap place to stay, it is a very nice city, a bit smaller than Bangkok. By God’s grace Ifound a decent incredibly cheap place to stay! The dentist was wonderful! Allof the receptionists spoke English and so did the dentist. This is always aplus. I have always heard that medical treatment here is quality (if you arebeing seen in a major city) and it is very affordable. I can say that thedentist was just that, I got my gums taken care of and a cleaning for awhopping $60! That is half the price I pay for just a cleaning at my dentist athome! As I was waiting for my turn I noticed two things. The waiting room wasfull of foreigners (always a good sign) and I read where most of the dentistswere trained, mostly over seas and many in America. So my experience overallwas wonderful and I am all better now!