Open up, say bismillah
City Correspondent
It is a hot day in Old Dhaka. A vendor sits against an iron fence with his head is tilted back and his eyes closed. His sweat is no doubt due to the Bangadesh weather, but very probably increased by the hands struggling against his teeth and tracing his gumline with an instrument that looks too much like a worn scalpel. Johnny, apparently the salesman/spokesperson, calls the process underway "scaling." That means that for Tk 100, his coworker Faizal is cleaning this customer's cracked and browned teeth. This is quite a contrast to the white teeth being displayed by the happy mouth on the business' sign that hangs from the stand's tin roof. It advertises teTeth pulled out, fixed, or capped by gold. It is a curious indication of this business' credibility in an area inhabited by 20 other businesses. With all that competition, it is good service and word of mouth that keep a business running long enough to have a sign this worn. Below the sign is everything a person might need to do such operations. There are immaculate teeth, both individual and full sets, waiting to be installed. They come all the way from dental supply companies in Japan, China, and India. A full mouth of new teeth will cost Tk 3000. If one desires teeth taken out, it will run from Tk 50 to 500 depending on how many are to be removed. The other procedures are accomplished using an assortment of scissors, tweezers, tooth pliers, and mouth trays. Like the sign, they have lost their luster - old, and not clean. Further discomforting is the absence of any method of sterilization. Ashad, the medicine man, holds up one time use and insists this is all they use, there is a regular multi-use needle on the table. They look equally ready to administer the Cormicine, Simplex, Lignocaine, or Lidocaine from the vials exhibited to the customers who wish to feel no pain regardless of the state of the needle or the accompanying tools. While this seems extremely problematic in the spreading of disease, it has not been. Dr. Neaz Ahmad Chowdery, an associate professor with the Dhaka Medical and Dental College - the high authority in certifying these businesses - has seen them in action. He is not aware of any problems resulting from what he admits is very unhygienic. "Maybe it is a gift from God to the people of this poor country." Those who do come for service are among the very poor who cannot afford to pay much higher prices of office bound dental business. Ashad attributes this to a general lack of education about dental hygiene, combined with the high rate of pan and tobacco consumption. He says, "Our country is very, very poor. In this situation, it's the best they can get.
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In the 'dentist's chair' - treatment on the streets is cheap but not very cheerful! Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain |
