Tooth Implant

In the 50s and 60s there were very few qualified dentists in Malacca. I remember my mother took me to a Chinese clinic in Bukit Baru to get my tooth extracted. He was not a dentist but had experience extracting tooth. When I was in sixth form, I went to Malacca General Hospital to complain about my aching molar tooth. There was no advice or suggestion given to save it but the dentist just had it pulled. The equipment was not sophisticated. At that time the remedy for decaying tooth was extracting. Hence I lost many molar teeth leaving gaps and making it difficult for me to chew. I made dentures but hated using them.  I threw both away.
When my friend, Mages, came back for a visit from UK, we had breakfast and I had tose. While chewing I felt a hard stone in my mouth. The tip of my tongue quickly search my upper back teeth. One molar back tooth just broke!
The next day I went to Kelana Jaya Community Clinic to have the stump pulled out. Both young attending dentists failed to do it and requested me to come back for surgery. I had to leave for Phnom Penh the next day. So armed with antibiotics and pain killers, I left for Cambodia praying the stump would not trouble me. Thank God, everything was OK and I enjoyed Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
I went to Universiti Malaya Speciaist Centre to talk to Prof Wan about tooth implant. I met Prof Zainal and told him about my broken tooth. He extracted it out easily and I was surprised and pleased that I didn't have to go for surgery. Of course I have to pay a big amount for it compared to nothing in KJCC. Anyway, I was thankful it was gone.
Before deciding on tooth implant, I made a few inquiries with private dental clinics. UMSC charges RM6,500.00 per tooth. Another private clinic charges RM8,500 per tooth. Being a pensioner, Universiy Hospital charges RM3,500 - RM4,500 per tooth but there is a long waiting list. About 7 years back, a private clinic charged RM5,000 per tooth but cost has gone up. I was cautioned by a former student who was a dental lecturer to get reputable dentist if I do it at private clinic. Some dentists may have minimal tooth implant training and experience but claimed to be specialist. That frightened me.
Finally, I decided to do it at University Hospital. I was lucky having an ex-student to help me. Prof Wan advised me to do two first and Dr. Izzat did the surgery yesterday. Dr. Izzat is a gentle dentist and I didn't experience any pain or discomfort. The surgery took one hour. I have to see him again next Wednesday to remove the stitches. Then, Prof Wan will take over, I guess. I do not know yet how much it will cost me.
For that matter I need 5 implants to make my teeth fully functional. Ahhh, this is what aging is all about.
Good luck to me.

Kuching and Pangkor Island

My trip to Kuching this time on 28-30 June 2013 was to try on Homeopathy treatment again from a different doctor for my glaucoma. I hope it could help to lower my eye pressure and delay the damage. Well, I am just trying, hoping and praying that my sight will be spared. Dr. Zaiton has kindly agreed to take me to see Dr. Mohammad. Being a homeopathy practitioner herself, she understood. As a lecturer in human Resource doesn't stop her from learning another field of knowledge. Thank you Zaiton for making time for me. I met a few former colleagues and former students too which gave me much pleasure.

With Dr. Jamayah (in sunglasses) and former student, Lisa. 280613

With former st3udents, Lisa and nora. 28061

Thank you Dr. Jamayah, Nora, Lisa and Husniah for making time to meet me. I appreciate your caring. At the same time,

Razali and family. Wife, Rose, is 2nd from left. 290613

I have the opportunity to visit Razali and his family and Dr. Fatahyah and her family. It's nice to see the children again who have grown so much since I last saw them. I hope Fa's mother will get well. Unfortunately I was not able to visit Ama's father who is hospital as Ama was away to see her PhD supervisor. My prayer that her father will get well soon.

Kuching has grown too. Many of the green areas have disappeared replaced by houses, shopping areas etc. There is also traffic congestion where it was unheard of before. I miss the old Kuching.
Back from Kuching I was busy organizing and sorting out things for the jumble sale at the mosque in Kg. Tunku, to raise fund to help the unfortunates. We managed to raise almost RM1,000 for the 3 hours sale. Thank you for all the support from people who came to the jumble sale.
The next day 7 July, Indra, Jin and Padmini came early in the morning to pick me up to Pangkor Island. I have not been to Pangkor for awhile. Jin drove and it was a pleasant drive to see the coastal road is wide with no more traffic congestion as years before. I promised myself that I would take a solo drive again on this coastal road to Perlis one day soon.
Staying in Pangkor Island Beach Resort (it was Pan Pacific before) was a pleasant experience. Situated at a cove, it's  sheltered with calm sea. There's also a legend attached to the far end beach here.

Pied hornbills percehed on a chair at the poolside waiting for feeding time. 080713

Feeding a tame hornbill at Pangkor Island Beach Resort.

The attraction were the pied hornbills who came down for feeding in the morning at 7.30 am and in the evening at 6.30pm.

A young male peacock doing the dance to attract a female peacock at the beach. 080713

The attractive backside of a male peacock trying to attract a female's attention. 080713

Beside that, there were also peacocks.
On the way home on 9 July, we stopped at Bukit Melawati to see the silver leaf monkeys who were so delightful and beautiful unlike their cousins, the macaques monkeys who are aggressive and unfriendly. These polite animals are a joy to see and interact.

Loving silver leaf  couple with a baby.

Gentle but got to hide the food.

It was a nice and cheap holiday for us, 4 seniors, since Priya is a staff and our rate was discounted. Thank you Priya for your hospitality and we wish you all the best in your life and career.

With Priya at the beach of PIBR. 080713