One of my very first experiences as a dentist was with Fabienne. Fabiene was a young Belgian woman in her mid-forties, who moved to Athens in search of a warmer climate. As was the case with most young professionals in pre-crisis Greece, she was working 2 jobs, as a secretary and freelancer to make ends meet. She felt it was high time to take care of one of her biggest concerns ever since she was a teenager, her front teeth. She was recommended to me and decided to give it a shot.
When she walked in the practice I met a blond, medium-height woman who obviously felt uneasy and failed to make eye contact. We immediately went ahead to discuss her treatment plan. When she left she seemed relieved and gave me a big smile-lips closed. As she went on with her treatment, I got to know her better and chit-chat a little bit about life in Athens and the differences between Greece and France. I came to realise that she was a warm and insightful person, whose real personality remained concealed. Her smile was reserved and she even managed to talk with lips closed some times. She gradually opened up and let me gain partial glimpses of her teeth.
In her last appointment a miracle happened. She looked herself at the mirror and she smiled. She stepped out of the practice a different person, her pleasure was written all over her face. Her eyes were shinning, her smile was different- broad, unrestrained, cheerful.
It was that moment, I fully realised the difference dental work can make to my patients confidence and well-being. That is one of my most valued moments in my professional career and a big moral reward.
Dr. George Antonopoulos, DDS
