this is the gate leading to the former institute of dental health along hyderabad road. the place now serves as the campus of a private school. today, most people know of the location of the national dental centre. however, in the past not many people were aware of the existence, much less the location of the institute of dental health. i had never stepped foot into the building.
i knew where the pegu road dental clinic was because i used to visit the pegu road outpatient dispensary which shared the same premises. i do not recall going for treatment at the dental clinic.
those early days when i had toothache or a tooth needed to be extracted, i remember going to visit a 'dentist' near sungei road. i do not think he was a qualified dental surgeon, someone who had gone through four or five years of university study. he was just certified fit to extract teeth and make dentures. i think he was classified as a unqualified registered dentist. i do not think there are any more of them in practice.
today's children are so lucky as far as dental care is concerned. in primary one, they are given a complimentary toothbrush and a mug and taught how to brush their teeth the proper way by the school's dental nurse. all throughout their primary and secondary school days, there is either a dental clinic or a mobile dental bus to look after their teeth. we never had this kind of attention.
so, while we have to change to a softer diet as we age, the generations that come after us can continue to enjoy tough food like steak and crunchy stuff like fried chicken and cookies even when they start collecting their annuities.
