FACING A DENTAL EMERGENCY FAR FROM HOME

Twenty eight years of dental fear came to a head while working 2,500 kilometers from home

This is a report for all people who are interested in going through dental treatment together with Korinne.

I must preface this by saying that I am a particularly difficult case. I have been afraid of dentists since my childhood. This did not get better even as an adult. When I was ten years old, I had an accident and broke my lower jaw. As a result, I later lost my entire front teeth. For 28 years, these were replaced over a width of five teeth by a temporary bridge. This was held in place by two remaining tooth posts.

In February 2021, I went from Germany to Portugal to work for a month there - in the middle of the lockdown. I did not know Korinne until that time.

It came as it -probably- had to come:
2,500 kilometers from home, one pin broke, the other was festering, and my bridge was wobbling badly. I knew that now the moment had come that I had been dreading for 28 years. The pins and the bridge had to come out.

Today I know that it had to happen because Korinne was in the right place at the right time.

During the lockdown, we worked in a team of 15 colleagues completely isolated in a big house by the sea for a photo production. We worked and ate together and that's how she learned my story and my emergency. Far from home, I had to rely on her completely, because I had no choice. Korinne took me by the hand and guided me through the whole process.

Korinne reduced my anxiety with great patience, calmness and positive conversations. In the background, she handled all the conversations with the White Clinic, including making the appointments. Likewise, she personally organized and made the travel arrangements as well as overnight accommodations. We drove to the appointment together and she didn't leave me alone for a second there, even during the procedure, which lasted three hours. In the moments in the treatment room just before, when three doctors are standing around you and the moment of truth has come, her support was especially important, because with her you never have the feeling of being at the mercy.

Korinne also took care of me after the appointment, organized accommodation and food again (I will never forget her smoothies) and the next day the follow-up examination as well as the transport back to the Algarve. Korinne became my big sister in that time!

I don't think there can be a more difficult patient. But I was brought safely to the other shore in the best possible way by Korinne in this unique moment in my life. For that and for finding a friend I would like to thank her from the bottom of my heart.

Markus A