Dental Ingenuity – video from India
Feb 08
ROOT CANAL!!!! I’m getting one done here in N. India, by a great dentist. At least I HOPE he’s a great dentist! We’ve got the chairs, assistants, fans and nice tools that Pushkar and Pyara talk about in their filmed interview (below). Anyway, all the drilling and pushing and pulling this week has this expat thinking about teeth a LOT, and it reminded me of this short film by Falk Pelinski (2005).
HOWEVER… Before you watch this short film (4 1/2 minutes), I need to point out a few things:
- Culture Happens - Yeah, that’s our Mantra around here. Please notice in this film that we’re observing something “normal”, something “expected”, and something highly valued and appreciated. We have satisfied customers. Then ponder, why is this scene horrifying for some, and highly valued by others. When you can get inside that question (and its answers) you’re getting inside of culture (your own, and that of others).
- The price of 80 rupees, back in 2005, has probably gone up to 100 rupees, so Pushkar and Pyara are now charging about $2 (two U.S. dollars).
- Note Pushkar’s Principle: “If my patient is happy, then I’m happy to charge. If he’s NOT happy, then I don’t want to charge.” Pretty tough principle for a Dentist, who can RARELY get the sense that his patient is actually “happy”!
- A Root Canal in the U.S. costs between $800 and $1200 per molar. I’m getting mine done (again, with chairs, tools, etc.) for $142. Not bad!
- You simply GOTTA LOVE the Indian “Can-do Spirit”. The adjustments that are made, the risks that are taken, the calm and confident move forward into the unknown, are ALL qualities that I find to be prevalent here. Like our good dentist Pyara, he knew how to repair bicycles, so simply moved from that into repairing people’s teeth. No problem.
Enjoy this glimpse into Dental Ingenuity (or Dental Terror?)
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PLEASE TELL ME THIS ISN’T WHERE YOU ARE GOING???
Of course I’m not going to “Doc” Pyara; he’s too far from where I live!!!
I especially love the flies. You are Brave.
You LOVE the flies??? I think YOU’RE brave, Kathy!
I wish we knew the background on the patients, especially the woman at the end. It would help to know she had been in such pain that the removal of the tooth was a saving grace for her rather than a sadistic act by a charlatan. Maybe she really had no choice. Maybe his doubtful know-how was reams more than what she would have found in her village? Left me feeling queasy though.
The professional ear cleaners sitting along the street made a special impression on me in India, too!
I have to conclude that the net result for that woman was RELIEF.
Love it! The free market is alive and well in India!
Hey, Marc! Yes, indeed — supply and demand keeps it all rolling!
These men are providing a much needed and valuable service which working people can afford. Despite their evident shortcomings, it would be a tragedy to ban them from practicing without offering a service of similar cost and value. In my country, a night at the hospital can cost a small fortune. As a result, people are looking for care overseas. People will go where they can find affordable relief.
(If you’re reading this, you’ll know I managed to pass the security math problem.
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That’s right, Steve. It’s got to be better than pulling YOUR OWN teeth out, right? But it’s like the “learn-as-you-go” mechanics: I want my car to be the LAST one they work on, after they’ve gained invaluable insight through experimenting on OTHER people’s cars!
Are you going to show us a ‘sidewalk surgeon’ next month?
I’ll keep my eyes open!
My dentist’s name is Fariborz Farsio. I asked him if he spoke Farsi, and he said “yes”. Now he speaks to me only in Farsi. With all the tools and tubes in my mouth I am only able to respond to him with grunts and nods. So I guess he thinks I understand all he is saying. It makes for an interesting relationship.
Well, I’m not sure how I feel about that video. However, I’m feeling much better now about sending our two kids to a dentist over the border tomorrow. So actually that was helpful! Thank you very much.
I think “Doc” Pyara would be thrilled to know that he was a help to you!
Incredible example of different expressions of similar values! The difference can be shocking, but indeed, the deeper values are not that different between cultures – e.g. meeting a need, customer satisfaction, working within ones means, etc. Great example. Thanks for sharing it.
Great observation, Dan – the values that are common to all people, take on different forms in different places, without really changing the values. Thanks!
Thanks for posting this. I hope you interviewed the dentist YOU chose to go to to make sure he also knew how to repair bicycles! If not….well….sketchy, Ron, sketchy. I would shop around even more!
Ruth! Oh no! I didn’t even think to check into his bicycle repair background
. But I can tell you now, that my root canal is done, the new cap is on, and I’m pain free! I’m a satisfied customer!