Excellent service at the National Referral Hospital

While lots has been said about the not-so-good quality of service at the Uganda National Referral Hospital, Mulago, my story today is different. Save for the lack of sophisticated equipment and the little space (albeit used effectively), the Oral Surgery unit in Mulago Hospital has, by my assessment, very highly professional manpower.

I took my 5.5 year old son for dental treatment and the reception I was given was quite different than some people have described for other units. Fast forward >>>. Then came the time on the Dentist's chair. Superb service. Before anything 'physical' was done, our emotions were taken care of to the extent that my son was ready for what was to follow. I was myself very comfortable.

Come the time for the physical examination and subsequent 'minor' surgical procedure, there was an Intern Dentist and a Consultant Dentist. They discussed the case and the way forward on how to handle it. All this was done in English and in my presence. They seem to agree entirely with each other on the procedure to be carried out. The Consultant gave the Intern Doc the privilege of taking lead in their discussion and he confirmed all that the Intern proposed. Some 'sharp' Intern I suppose.

It was decided that one of the teeth had to be removed after all, the permanent one would grow and replace it at a later stage in the boy's life. My son immediately objected to losing a tooth but a thorough explanation was given to him about the benefits of removing the tooth. He consented. Needless say, some tears dropped at the time of pricking to administer the local anaesthetic.

Come the time of removing the tooth and there were two Consultants watching every step taken by the Intern. One of them reassured us further that we had all the attention we could ever need. I confirmed from the facial expression (body language) of the Consultants that the Intern did the extraction very well. It was quick and smooth. The pulp of one of the roots of the tooth was infected and discharging to the gum through a small tract (sinus).

We were reassured, advised on oral hygiene and discharged honourably. What a sweet experience! I cannot wait to take the young man back for tooth filling next week - the other two affected teeth will be saved. Thank God.