Journalled on Friday, 29th of September 2023 | Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro: 23degrees, warm, overcast and with showers.

It’s Friday, the end of the week. I have a few classes, and then I’ll reach another milestone.

At 2 p.m this afternoon, I have a dentist appointment to continue treatment of my teeth, specifically the implants.

Everyone has some fear or phobia. Mine was, and still is to a certain extent, a fear of the dentist. When I was very small, my mother took me to the dentist, and 5 to 6 teeth were extracted at once. From then on, my feud with the dentist began.

I’ve tried to get my teeth treated several times over the years, but I kept starting and stopping, about 20 times in total. Now, I’m committed to seeing it through. I believe neglecting my dental health is linked to low self-esteem, but that’s not a problem for me anymore. I have no choice but to complete the treatment, so I’m fully committed and ready to go.

Doctor Thomas has also helped. His dental practice is spotless, which is essential. I have been to dental practices that were, to say the least, questionable. As with anything, the first thing to check is whether the place is clean and organised.

When I worked with boats in the past, my first impression when I walked into a boatyard was that if it was reasonably clean, tidy, and organised, and that all the tools were in good condition. The same is true for most things in life, including a dental practice.

It was also important for me to consider the human aspect.

Instead of being roped into a plan and financial obligation that prioritises the clinic’s financial gain over the patient’s needs, I appreciated that Doctor Thomas and his secretary, Malu, were very professional and welcoming. They never once mentioned money at the beginning.

Indeed, I may spend as much or even more with this personal approach, but it’s worth it. I am confident that my money is being well spent. Why? Because I am not just another face in the crowd.

Finally, it’s evident that, besides being highly skilled in his profession, Doctor Thomas genuinely enjoys what he does.

This passion turns his work into art. We should judge people by their actions, not just their words. When you see someone doing what they love and excelling at it, it becomes their art and their craft.

I have complete confidence in Doctor Thomas and his work. He is the only dentist I have trusted over the past 20 or 30 years, and this confidence has enabled me to address a long-standing issue. He also has an adorable secretary, Malu, who is always polite and helpful.

The second stage of the treatment has been completed. He cut open the gums and inserted the pins. There are now two or three more stages, and my smile should return in full.

The appointment was scheduled for 2 p.m, I arrived at 1:45, and we started straight away. We discussed family matters and caught up on news from Brazil. I left the practice around 3, after just an hour. I was still feeling the effects of the local anaesthetic in my gum and mouth, but I was happy. I’m finally getting to where I should have been long ago.

Hopefully, very shortly, I’ll have a smile on my face. I am happy with myself and extremely grateful to Doctor Thomas and Malu for their help on this journey.