One morning, I bit into an apple without much though but a sharp pain went from my back molar right through my jaw. I'm in pain for ½ hour after that. It feels like my heart relocated itself underneath my tooth and is pounding really hard, trying to make some room in that tiny place. There is definitely something wrong with my tooth and I will have to go see a dentist. My mind imagines this African dentist with very basic equipment and limited hygiene concern; not really something I'm looking forward to experience.
Turns out that we are in Windhoek, things are civilized. My first impression of Dr Burger is good; the office is clean and the equipment looks new and functional. He wears a mask and gloves, latex gloves mind you - but gloves nonetheless. The diagnosis comes within minutes of me sitting down on the chair: my tooth is infected. He will have to perform a root canal treatment. I spend the next several days in pain, unable to chew with the left side of my jaw. I survive on painkillers, days like nights.
Finally the appointment day arrives and I can see the end of my agony. The dentist's first comment is "Haven't they warned you in Canada not to visit an African dentist?" I still could run away but the pain is too much, I will take a chance! After that initial doubt, the session went fine. The dentist was gentle. I did not suffer. After two hours my tooth was fixed and my apprehension of seeing an African dentist was gone, although I'm glad this happened in Namibia and not further North.