"I Can Extract Human Teeth!"

Day 4: Tuesday March 2nd, 2010

Location: DiaDent

Today the teams split up and got to work! Dr. Horowitz, Caroline, Dr. Mango, Stella and myself went to DiaDent (Dr. Uncuta's office in Chisinau) and saw kids from the Ialoveni orphanage. Today was a day of first! The kids arrived at about 9am and we got to work! In the first operatory, Dr. Horowitz and Caroline screened children. I did a few occlusal fillings and sealants then came the big stuff. Vasile, a 9 year old, needed two extractions! Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Mango told me "Do 'em". I was a little nervous but Dr. Mango coached me through it and Vasile did amazing. I felt like a champion afterwards! Dr. Mango told me when he extracted his first tooth he told everyone who would listen "I CAN EXTRACT HUMAN TEETH!!!". I smiled like a fool the rest of the day. The kids were pretty excited too--going to the dentist meant a trip to McDonald's! There are only 4 in all of Moldova and its' considered a nice restaurant--people even dress up in their best clothes and fur coats. All the kids left with bouncy balls and plastic rings and tons of goodies from Mickey D's.

Location: Strasheni Orphanage

On the end of Moldova, Elise, Patrick, Oxsana, Dr. Garland, and Vanessa got to practice 'guerilla dentistry' at the orphanage in Strasheni. There's a new operatory that the Moldova Project from NC just installed, but there's another older one that has no suction and a handpiece that just won't stop! The supplies were short and there was a done of work to do. It really makes you appreciate all the luxuries -- working equipment and plenty of supplies--we have at the UNC clinics.

Location: US Embassy in Moldova

We finished the day a little early so we could freshen up before dinner at the ambassador. We were really disappointed that he had the flu and couldn't join us but we really enjoyed the great food and a little conversation.

Location: Hotel Nobil

In Moldova, dinner is followed by wine! Hotel Nobil has this fabulous cigar bar where we chatted and drank wine. It was just winding down after a busy day, but you know the kids had to kick it up a notch. We didn't come all the way to Moldova to sit in our apartments...

Location: DejaVu

The party continues at DejaVu, a local club in Chisinau. The 'kiddie' table went out to celebrate Dr. Mango's 40th birthday! And we lived it up!!!! Our manual actually says "NEVER TRY TO OUT DRINK A MOLDOVAN". And we tried to give them a run for their money. After the wine and few amaretto sours, the cognac and the tequila came out! Everyone got loose on the dancefloor--Dr. Garland and Col. Mix even busted some moves and the Moldovans got to see some crazy Americans! We set the place on fire...literally! The bartenders put on a show for us juggling bottles lit of fire and set the bartop on fire! It was amazing!!! The only way to cap off the night is with a little bit of 'drunk pizza'. We crashed for the night (which was really the morning) and just hoped we could wake up to work tomorrow. Tonight was a good night :-D