Self Portrait During Root Canal

I must say how pleased I am with the UPenn Dental School near my place. Today I had my second root canal but because there was something unusual about my tooth (a curved nerve or something), the student who's assigned to me only assisted while a dentist did the work. She worked very fast and seemed to be a master of the craft.

The place shines for its professionalism. There's no "hurry up and wait." I cannot break appointments (2 strikes & you're out). They emerge from the clinic and speak my name at the exact time of the appointment. Everyone is sharp and knows their stuff very well.

The school happens to be located in the US, and so there are a few layers of baked-on bullshit to go through before I'm accepted and covered --to prove myself human enough to deserve affordable and excellent health care. The student, who is from Turkey, said she's amazed at the clumsiness and unfairness of the US system, and she added that her country's system is far from perfect. I myself keep comparing the US to France, where I lived for a few years and got my teeth fixed for free. The French health system is considered the best and most equitable in the world.

This was the only shot I took while in the chair today. The doc leaned back and moved the microscope aside so I could do it, but alas it's not at all clear. Over two hours with a rubber block holding my jaws open --not fun!

I'm taking advantage of the Dental School as much as possible but a lot of the remaining care is not covered. Maybe the money will be there, or maybe I'll put off the last of it till next time. The most important things were put first, so at least I'm catching up. I'm glad that this place of such fine work is there, and less expensive than the norm, for me at the end of the hassles and paper work. These things can easily go a lot worse.

Let's not forget the local boy-done-well who the building's named for, and whose grave I've blipped before.