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The morning started normal as usual. While I was walking Clara to the school gate she mentioned that her gum was bothering her. I took a quick look and knew instantly that she needed dental attention ASAP. Her gum had a big old abysses right next to the tooth she had filled three weeks ago. Panic filled her entire face, but I quickly assured her we would not go back to either one of the two dentists we had been to before. Luckily Tifiny had found a terrific dentist in Paris who speaks English. Dr. Dimitriou was a lifesaver. I called him on his cell phone and he told me to be at his office at 3:30pm. All I can say is thank heaven for our GPS system. He is located in the middle of Paris and I was able to drive right up to his front door. It took us one hour to get there, but 2 1/2 to get home (rush hour!).
As nervous as she felt Clara didn't flinch during the 1 hour and 10 minute procedure! the infection was bad and Dr. Dimitriou had to clean out each root of her tooth. Basically is was a root canal and unfortunately she is not finished. We are hoping the infection drains and we are to return tomorrow afternoon so he can fill the tooth.
Our friend Alysee accompanied Clara to this appointment. She has never been to the dentist before and it was fun to watch her expressions from the moment we walked into the office. Alysee stood watch the entire time and Dr. Dimitriou spoke French with her explaining each step of the procedure. When Clara was done we left the office and started walking to the car. Alysee turned to her and said, "you're so courageous!" I couldn't have said it better myself. Clara has really learned a lot about being strong even when it's hard.
Today Clara and I met with two different "dentistes" in Fontainebleau. Not really what I had in mind when I thought about living in France, but somehow this week has brought many new challenges to life here! Clara has been complaining off and on about her tooth. Yesterday she returned home from a school field trip to Paris where she visited the Musee de Orsay. She walked in the door, started crying and told me it was the worst day of her life! Well after talking it through I found out her tooth had been hurting all day long. She woke in the night with throbbing pain so I knew we were in for it. I called my friend & visiting -teacher from church, Magali. I asked if she knew of a good dentist. She said she had one in Fontainebleau and then she offered to call and make an appointment for Clara. I was grateful for her help as I knew we needed to get in ASAP. Magali offered to come with me so that she could translate. THANK GOODNESS!
At the first dentist office we explained the problem. He spoke a tiny bit of English and kept saying "DOOON'T WOORY!" He then looked in Clara's mouth tapped two times on the infected tooth and said, "We must pull out this tooth right now!" I was in shock and Clara had tears just streaming down her face. I asked why and wondered why he had not done an x-ray or any other investigation. He said the molar was a baby tooth and would eventually fall out. I said, "No we will not be pulling out her tooth!" After a lengthy discussion he said he would put in a filling, but I must leave the room. By now Clara was so full of anxiety and tears I didn't know what to do. I was so grateful Magali was there to translae from French to English. Finally it was decided that we would go to a pediatric dentist. Lucky for us there was one available today. We walked from one office to the other.
Dentist number two was great. Dr. Leroy was very calm and friendly. Clara sat right up in his lime green chair and let him take care of the cavity. I was not allowed to be in the room during the procedure. Apparently this is the way with French dentistry. Because Clara needed to understand what the doctor was doing Magali was allowed to stay in the room. Clara was amazing. The doctor told her to raise her hand if she felt any pain. I didn't hear one shriek or cry and she was all smiles when the door opened. The filling looks a bit different from the ones we get at Dr. Jeff Connolly's in Salt Lake, but at least Clara still has her tooth. I think for Clara the hardest part of the entire ordeal was not being able to eat for an hour after the procedure! She is feeling much better tonight and I'm just glad to have one more trauma behind us!
As nervous as she felt Clara didn't flinch during the 1 hour and 10 minute procedure! the infection was bad and Dr. Dimitriou had to clean out each root of her tooth. Basically is was a root canal and unfortunately she is not finished. We are hoping the infection drains and we are to return tomorrow afternoon so he can fill the tooth.
Our friend Alysee accompanied Clara to this appointment. She has never been to the dentist before and it was fun to watch her expressions from the moment we walked into the office. Alysee stood watch the entire time and Dr. Dimitriou spoke French with her explaining each step of the procedure. When Clara was done we left the office and started walking to the car. Alysee turned to her and said, "you're so courageous!" I couldn't have said it better myself. Clara has really learned a lot about being strong even when it's hard.
