The Mythology of Dental Science

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger doesn't apply here.
Tee-hee!

Generally, myths are to provide explanations about events that have happened in the past. They enlighten us about the big picture that is the world. 

But myths are unbending in structure, and they come in versions. And as strange as it might sound, dental myths are the same the world over.

Below I have a list of the most common dental myths that patients come up with. 

Madam,  I have heard that getting a tooth removed could affect one's vision. 

ME: That's great! Come. Here is a functional diagram that depicts how different branches of the same nerve provide for eyes and teeth.

MYTH: Madam, someone I know got treated at another dental care, told me that dental procedures could cause cancer. 

ME:  Oh! Sure he/she must have asked for a discount at the dentist. Ask him/her to see an astrologer.  

Poor dental hygiene, addiction to tobacco or tobacco-containing products/cancer-causing chemicals, lack of exercise, certain viruses, and prolonged exposure to the sun and other types of radiation could trigger cancer cells. MYTH BUSTED!

MYTH: I have heard that getting teeth cleaned could also damage them.

ME: No! But I understand if you'd like to live with deposits in between and around your teeth. Let's see if that doesn't do any damage. 

What's done is done! You can't change the past. You just have to forget about it and move on, even if it's really, really bad. 

Not to worry, a periodontist could manage the state of affairs. Just don't wait for it this long. :)

These myths/guesses startle me, even to this day. But with time I have developed a liking to the old wives' tales. Dentistry could only be fun in two ways, exceptional work and communicating with patients.

One patient didn't know about the scaling procedure but wanted to get her teeth cleaned. I guided her about it. Once the calculi or tartar broke off the teeth, the patient got scared if the teeth were being chipped off. I had a mixed reaction to her putting her fingers inside her mouth to confirm if what is getting removed wasn't her teeth. Heights!

Learning to trust is one of life's most difficult tasks. - Isaac Watts

Seeing such clients once in a blue moon is fine, but I see two to three such patients daily who have vague notions about dentistry as if teeth are an alien concept to them. Of course, it's fun listening to them making dentistry appear as some voodoo religion, but not when they have doubts while seated on the chair. I may not get distracted by it. My job is to restore their faith in the treatment. 

For the record, I should criticize a lack of dental education and interest from parents for ignorance related to dental hygiene in people. Teeth are a principal part of the digestive system, yes. Ask a golden-ager who doesn't have natural teeth to bite and chew their food.

I paid a home visit to an elderly patient in her sixties recently. She had a removable dental prosthesis to aid in chewing food. She also had a medical condition, arthritis. She couldn't chew food even with the prosthesis, neither did she have the energy to engage in chewing the food. Her daughter told me that she hasn't been able to chew food properly in weeks. 

Another elderly patient who was on post-COVID care couldn't help eating cheese sandwiches or soft food daily. He said he would like a fixed prosthesis to aid him in eating home-cooked food. 

Dental myths are only to prevent one from getting actual dental treatment. Losing teeth is difficult to accept and also negatively impacts self-esteem. I recommend the prevention of tooth loss for people of any age.

P.S. The "4 out of 5 dentists recommend" is a swindle. And 4 out of 5 dentists agree. ;)

Fin. 

Operative Dentistry

Operative Dentistry or O.D (being medicos that's the first thing we do to any given terminology, that is, cut it short!), is my favorite subject of second year at college. For all those who are still wondering what it is about, it is a subject of Dental Science. O.D deals with cavity preparations and filling. So now you have a basic idea about it.
It all started in the 'Phantom head lab'( a pre-clinical set up where we practice tooth cavity preparations on mannequin).I had a look at it once, when I was a fresher. Was so curious to work on it, and now when I actually do, I feel that inquisitive Dentist in me.

HISTORY:
Our first exercise was definitely an introduction , where we were briefed about the field of study. Then came the elephant sized tooth, on which we had to make cavities (which we are supposed to burr drill on patient's tooth). We use narrow and broad chisels for cavity preparation on a plaster model. (My topic will lose interest if I start explaining the dental instruments, maybe if I come up with something interesting on them, later ;) )

My first try at forming the chisel-cut 'well' into the model, where the faculty told me, I can rest with a blanket! ;)

Later on, we were made to wax fill the self-made cavities, just so as to have an idea, what cavity filling is like.
                                                                                                       

I could hear them say-'Perfect!'

Wax filling and carving.

PRESENT:
Now we no more have to work on the above shown plaster models. Acrylic teeth!

My dentist dost at work! Poser :)

Okay, the terminology rolls in! So the mannequin wait for us in the Phantom head lab. We then fix base with teeth screwed in it. Set it in position, as in the height we feel ourselves comfortable to work at. Arrange the instruments, which are classified as diagnostic, cutting, carving, burnishing, and post-carving instruments(in order of usage). Micromotor(MM) (that appears to me as a sea horse), fixed on the handle, the burr(straight, inverted cone, tapering, round) we have to work with is adjusted into the MM. We start with the cutting of and finally constructing a cavity. Till now we have mastered(yeah!) class I, Class II, MOD cavity preparations. That's enough for us at the end of first sem of the II year! Phew!


HEADS UP:
Most of us don't care about the sitting position,which has been stated to be:

• Upright, with comfortably occupying the whole chair, so as to be in a stable posture. 
• The feet should firmly rest on the ground. 
• Pen grip hold on the micromotor. 
• Not to bend and enter the patient's mouth, he surely won't like that.(For maxillary cavity preparation  most of us did!)
• Not to wear rings/watch/accessories while at work.(Since they can be a cause of infection)
• Always use a mouth mirror.

FUTURE:
Is in my hands, and patients mouth! :) Eagerly waiting to be in III year!!!

The Manipala Vista-Version 1

AIIMS-2010 (Not qualified)
AFMC-2010(Not qualified)
JIPMER-2010(Not qualified)
And the list goes on and on...
ENAT-2010(QUALIFIED)
Okay, fine.Hurray!


A checklist of unsuccessful stories with only one feather in cap. Manipal it is!
From north to south, a landlocked zone to the peninsula, a totally different lifestyle and what not? These are few of 'in the mind' I had before and while travelling to the Deccan Plateau, more precisely the Western Ghats. You could have an idea by now how deep was I thinking about this new era 'The Manipala Vista'.

Scholars Influx :
The month of July, almost drawn to its end and it is monsoon in most part of South. Manipal welcomed us on wet grounds(since it was pouring), the all drenched look, no scent heavier than the damp whiff of mud.  Manipal University awaited the arrival of its lately enrolled students.And  made it to the 'Orientation Session' first day. Interacted with soon going-to-be alter egos as well as came to know about chief personalities, would like to mention one, 'The Chief Warden', who reminded me of one of the impressive bollywood retro actor Late.Amrish Puri and I couldn't remain silent without whispering that one word-Mogambo!(I guess many of us know by now that the term is so apt). No pun intended.


Next task being to delve a bit deeper and uncover some of Manipal's secrets, the place had in store for us.

The Holy Radiance

Started off with an early morning excursion to Manipal end point, and was amazed to see nature in its most alluring attitude. The early morning sun, rovering clouds, the grass underneath my feet which added to the comfort of mind.For that moment, it felt like heaven. And then the sudden cloudburst, no mirror better to provide the sky's agony.
                               And soon it was college then hostel (for intermission-The Food Court).  Life moves on, went through(still go through and will have to for 4 more years) the seemingly unending lectures. The time paradox theory so fits into this life. I sometimes wish I had a watch like Mr. India, soon after attendance-VANISH!!! And the 75% compulsory attendance is like a stab on the back of any medico, can't help it.



Just for grins(J4G):
Life, after college gets over seems so enthusiastic and lively. I like almost everything, from the adamant security guards who ask brainless whys? of not having your combo card just that one day to people who transform library into yahoo messenger's chat room, and luckily you also have different subjects to click on and chat. From unexpected pouring to being broke in the midst of the month. From not having the favourite item on the menu to internet disconnection when we most need it.Duh!


Seascape:

Amidst all this my greatest escape is nature, had been since childhood. Kaup beach is my all time favourite  'R and R'(rest and recreation). I would never forget my first look at the Arabian Sea, I was all afraid. The bewildering waves, the furious flash of it, I felt forceless! But that was the day and it's now that, I no more fear it. Ask me, who did an unknown experiment with it-'The Banana Ride', had no clue that I would be thrown into the water in the midst of the HUGE sea, and that was the moment I rubbed eyeballs with 'Hell's grim tyrant'.All thanks to my friend for being all smiles, even when she could notice the hullabaloo in my voice and convulsions on face. Seriously!

Flabbergasting!

This is one of the awesomest picture-a 2 mpx capture.

Go Greens:
The term has a totally different meaning to it when it comes to Manipal Life. KMC Greens, the centre for basic attraction, centre of zero gravity( during Diwali), centre to hold all  notable Manipal University functions. The major event that the stage at greens witnessed was the presence of H.E. Pratibha Patil, the President of India for the Convocation 2010.The fine decorations at greens and the area in the vicinity left me in awe.

Kanwar K.S. Photography

There is so much to blog endlessly about but, the above-cited are few of the things that describe the essence of Manipal, the way it is. And since, this is version-1 of Manipala Vista, and that I have a good amount of time to explore the abode for next few years, I feel like I could be the archaeologist for quite a longer duration.
Please bear in mind that the above mentioned is as per a first year students' gross anatomical excavation of a place. (How could I skip mentioning medical stream's most profound subject, and my all time favourite.).

Oops! I got the flesh out of him.
And I know that's a H.I.M.

More of it in Version-2.



Au revoir!

ZERO HOUR

‘Zero’- The integer artlessly adds up to nothing, yet it is considered one of the critical analysis done in the past.

A point in life from which one can measure his/her positivity and negativity, as on the scale.

This integer had slapped me umpteen times, and I had remained silent. I was aimless and assumed myself to be a dead pallor.

The following  verse sums up my feelings:

So I walk up on high

And I step to the edge

To see my world below.

And I laugh at myself

As the tears roll down.

'Cause it's the world I know.

-Collective Soul

Albeit it was an eleventh hour decision that led to the arrival of my zero hour..!

‘Zero Hour’- A paramount idiom, the moment of truth.

And whenever I feel short of enthusiasm, optimism and courage, I just sit back, relax and ponder over the very initial hour where I had promised myself to be number ONE in every aspect of living.

Zero has given me so much that I no more say that it adds up to nothing, just mull over and it means everything.

In the words of the great soul Mahatma Gandhi, “If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall acquire the capacity to do it, even if I do not have it at the beginning”.  Rightly said.

Just Do It.