Relief the pain

In many countries dental treatment can be expensive and unaffordable particularly for people on low incomes. Many people tend to neglect dental care till it becomes a major problem. We and our group of volunteer dentists would like to support the equal right to good health and well being of everyone by giving free dental treatments.

Below is the story of Auntie Mai or Pa Mai who had a treatment recently at the clinic and she felt so grateful to everyone who helped her.

Mrs. Panumas Khamsuphee (Auntie Mai or Pa Mai), 48 years old, is one of the workers who worked on the construction of the Buddhamahametta Foundation.

Mai had severe toothache, her pain had been around for two weeks. She used to take medicine to relieve the pain. She remembers that on August 4, she asked her partner to take her to the dental clinic in Bang Pa-In area. They went to 7 different dental clinics and the prices varied between 800 to 1,500 Baht. Her colleagues told her that the procedure should only cost 300 Baht. Unfortunately, Mai had to go back as she didn’t have enough money. She came back to work while dealing with the pain, and waited for the payday to save more money.

Two days later, Mai met a nun who gave her the opportunity to see a dentist at the foundation.  This clinic is giving free treatments and she got free dental treatment in this clinic. The doctor explained that tooth decay reached the nerve. If the tooth or nerve wasn’t removed, she would be in severe pain. It was a big and quite brittle tooth, so the doctor had to administer anesthesia twice during the procedure. Mai had to endure a lot of pain during the removal, but the pain is gone now.

The staff suggested Mai to eat vegan for seven days, and she was glad that she managed to do so. She would like to thank the dentist and everyone who helped her with their kindness.