India's Street Dentists

[mochafreak]

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I'm guessing they didn't have to take microbio...

http://static.iftk.com.br/mt/2007/05/indias_street_dentists_13_pics.html

 

[jatt007]

That was hilarious.. We see that all the time in India along the road... actually its for the people with very low income and can't afford a dentist.. they have no choice... but its very true..

 

[Robert Paulsen]

I was in Kathmandu about 15 years ago and saw a dentist's office where the drill was powered by a foot treadle.

There are a lot of places in the world where life is hard.

RP

 

[Mustt Mustt]

This is very very true in country like India. No matter how much progress india has made in tech industry healthcare is very very low priority for government and poverty is skyrocketing day by day. There about 280 Million Indians(almost same as entire US population) that live on less than dollar a day. It is very very hard to earn a living and so most of this people can't afford a dentist and there is not much done by government to provide any type of free or assisted healthcare to its citizens.

 

[ivorinedust]

Here's one in action.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=igerbevGueQ

Ivorinedust

"Apolonia, relieve my toothache!"

 

[aphistis]

This is very very true in country like India. No matter how much progress india has made in tech industry healthcare is very very low priority for government and poverty is skyrocketing day by day. There about 280 Million Indians(almost same as entire US population) that live on less than dollar a day. It is very very hard to earn a living and so most of this people can't afford a dentist and there is not much done by government to provide any type of free or assisted healthcare to its citizens.

More like a billion. 🙂 But your point still holds.

 

[mochafreak]

That's a nice new avatar you got there Bill. 😀

 

[TKD]

More like a billion. 🙂 But your point still holds.

You're saying a billion Indians live on a dollar a day? Well you're way off on that. India has the richest of the rich and the poorest of the poor.

Another thing, there's signs in chinese it looks like. are there a lot of chinese in india or are there street dentists in china as well???

 

[mmasurf]

2 questions, why aren't they wearing any gloves / masks

and what is that pink/purple solution the guy in the video injects her with then gives her to wash her mouth? it cant be anesthesia!

 

[2006Grad]

2 questions, why aren't they wearing any gloves / masks

and what is that pink/purple solution the guy in the video injects her with then gives her to wash her mouth? it cant be anesthesia!

The purple solution is called Kool Aid. Gloves are not needed because most indian patients have latex allergies. The street doctor is just trying to prevent allergic reactions.

 

[Columbia07]

The dude in the video did not just clean the syringe and not replace the needle, right?!?!? Anyways, very eye-opening.

 

[HuyetKiem]

2 questions, why aren't they wearing any gloves / masks

and what is that pink/purple solution the guy in the video injects her with then gives her to wash her mouth? it cant be anesthesia!

The purple solution is a disfected solution. It's called potassium permaganate and widely used in third world countries to disinfect fresh vegetables, wounds, mouth, syringes and needles ....

 

[Jaybe]

The purple solution is a disfected solution. It's called potassium permaganate and widely used in third world countries to disinfect fresh vegetables, wounds, mouth, syringes and needles ....

At my halfway house, they told me I shouldn't 'disinfect' my needles and continue using them. Maybe someone should tell those "dentists" the same thing.

By the way, those street dentists aren't real dentists. They haven't been to dental school. They do what they do because of the rigid social structure in India (Caste). I bet that over 90% of street dentists have fathers who were street dentists.

The Indian government just turns a blind eye to them because they are from low castes and are treating only low caste patients. Sad.

 

[ivorinedust]

The purple solution is called Kool Aid. Gloves are not needed because most indian patients have latex allergies. The street doctor is just trying to prevent allergic reactions.

The "surgeon" doesn't wear gloves because he can't find six fingered ones. He is a polydactyl. Watch the video again and see. Look at his right thumb....

Ivorinedust

"Apolonia, relieve my toothache!"

 

[neha]

Hi all,

These street dentist are called chinese dentist in some parts of India. They are not real dentist but dentistry for them is a trade that runs in their families for generations. Dentistry was first practiced mainly by the chinese in Asia.
Sons learn this from their fathers. This road side dentistry is very very cheap. Extraction of the tooth for less than 25 cents. If a tooth has decay all they do is fill the tooth up with some material like monomer , polymer and the patient either gets temporary relief or has to run to a real dentist because he infact needs a root canal and now has a huge swelling .

There are lots of people living on daily wages which is around 2 at the max 3 dollars. So this is their only option.

 

[mmasurf]

that is one of the worst things i have seen in third world nations. they spend millions on nuclear weaponry and don't even provide minimal health care. For example if he had a cut on his hand and the lady had AIDS he will get AIDS then give it to every one of his patients. thats one of the reasons why there is a huge AIDS explosion in those nations.

 

[shabu2]

I was in Kathmandu about 15 years ago and saw a dentist's office where the drill was powered by a foot treadle.

There are a lot of places in the world where life is hard.

RP

That was the norm in this country at the turn of the century. I have an old picture of dentists taking the clinical board exams with foot driven drills.

 

[Hopin']

that is one of the worst things i have seen in third world nations. they spend millions on nuclear weaponry and don't even provide minimal health care. For example if he had a cut on his hand and the lady had AIDS he will get AIDS then give it to every one of his patients. thats one of the reasons why there is a huge AIDS explosion in those nations.

Exactly how we (USA) are spending all those billions of $$ on war while many of our own people aren't receiving decent health care and food...

 

[mmasurf]

That was the norm in this country at the turn of the century. I have an old picture of dentists taking the clinical board exams with foot driven drills.

yes but in those days many of the diseases the human population suffers from didn't exist so it time for the rest of the world to take similar precautions.

 

[Midoc]

yes but in those days many of the diseases the human population suffers from didn't exist so it time for the rest of the world to take similar precautions.

Other than HIV/AIDS what disease did not exist 100 years ago? "Many" commonly refers to more than one.

 

[mmasurf]

Other than HIV/AIDS what disease did not exist 100 years ago? "Many" commonly refers to more than one.

"MANY" refers to Ebola, STDS and other diseases that you get by blood transmission.

 

[shabu2]

"MANY" refers to Ebola, STDS and other diseases that you get by blood transmission.

How does that relate to foot pedal drills?! I was making a statement of how in this country less than 100 years ago we were as infantile in the science of dentistry as the rest of the world. Ebola and std's????!!!! come on.

 

[herodontist]

At my halfway house, they told me I shouldn't 'disinfect' my needles and continue using them. Maybe someone should tell those "dentists" the same thing.

By the way, those street dentists aren't real dentists. They haven't been to dental school. They do what they do because of the rigid social structure in India (Caste). I bet that over 90% of street dentists have fathers who were street dentists.

The Indian government just turns a blind eye to them because they are from low castes and are treating only low caste patients. Sad.

Incorrect. Caste has nothing to do with it. Practicing dentistry without a license is illegal in India just like in the US. (In case you were wondering, only graduates from an accredited school can get a license to practice). For people living in poverty, the Indian government runs hospitals that treat patients for free or very minimal charge. There is NO caste-based discrimination in healthcare. These 'quack dentists' are illegal and the dental council of India does work to put them behind bars.

 

[Jaybe]

Incorrect. Caste has nothing to do with it. Practicing dentistry without a license is illegal in India just like in the US. (In case you were wondering, only graduates from an accredited school can get a license to practice). For people living in poverty, the Indian government runs hospitals that treat patients for free or very minimal charge. There is NO caste-based discrimination in healthcare. These 'quack dentists' are illegal and the dental council of India does work to put them behind bars.

Its going to be hard for you to convince me the authorities don't turn a blind eye to these guys, since they operate in plain sight and in front of police officers and the rest of society.

BTW, I know that the official stance is that the caste system and concomitant discrimination are now illegal. But I also know that old habits die hard.

Fact is, if one of these guys were trying to treat Shilpa Shetty, they would quickly find themselves arrested, and their asses whipped. But as long as they are treating the low castes, a blind eye whilst continue to be turnethed. . .

 

[gujudentist]

isnt that how it is in any country at any level of government? Youre right, it is sad.

 

[g3k]

Its going to be hard for you to convince me the authorities don't turn a blind eye to these guys, since they operate in plain sight and in front of police officers and the rest of society.

BTW, I know that the official stance is that the caste system and concomitant discrimination are now illegal. But I also know that old habits die hard.

Fact is, if one of these guys were trying to treat Shilpa Shetty, they would quickly find themselves arrested, and their asses whipped. But as long as they are treating the low castes, a blind eye whilst continue to be turnethed. . .

Treating Shilpa Shetty is not going to get them arrested unless she complains. If that's what she wanted to do they may change the laws. 🙄 It is bribery. All you have to do is pass a hundred rupee note and you can shut any official's mouth. It's not hard. Forget this, just almost anything - get your driver's license, run a red light, get tickets for a movie, school admission (even primary school) and so much more under-the-table money works pretty well. The caste system that you mention is not true because regardless of them treating the upper class or the lower class, it is the money that talks. Do you think those officers who are around are not from the same caste? Politicians and the government simply don't care about the lay public, not just the low caste.

 

[pine88]

The "surgeon" doesn't wear gloves because he can't find six fingered ones. He is a polydactyl. Watch the video again and see. Look at his right thumb....

I've been told by US dentists that 30 years ago we didn't use gloves even here. Yuck.

that is one of the worst things i have seen in third world nations. they spend millions on nuclear weaponry and don't even provide minimal health care. For example if he had a cut on his hand and the lady had AIDS he will get AIDS then give it to every one of his patients. thats one of the reasons why there is a huge AIDS explosion in those nations.

Sad that the main spread of AIDS is from infected men giving it to their wives.

 

[eapleitez]

Incorrect. Caste has nothing to do with it. Practicing dentistry without a license is illegal in India just like in the US. (In case you were wondering, only graduates from an accredited school can get a license to practice). For people living in poverty, the Indian government runs hospitals that treat patients for free or very minimal charge. There is NO caste-based discrimination in healthcare. These 'quack dentists' are illegal and the dental council of India does work to put them behind bars.

And yet, I'm sure that the street dentists far outnumber the licensed dentists in India. It's awful easy to criticize this situation from our well fed, comfortable nations, but it's a whole different situation over there. It's not ideal or safe, but what other alternatives do they have?

 

[rimmies]

The dude in the video did not just clean the syringe and not replace the needle, right?!?!? Anyways, very eye-opening.

yeah, I saw that too... 😱

 

[clickytop]

yeah, I saw that too... 😱

It may not have been anaesthetic, but it's really the thought that counts...

 

[clickytop]

I've been told by US dentists that 30 years ago we didn't use gloves even here. Yuck.



Sad that the main spread of AIDS is from infected men giving it to their wives.

Current OSHA requirements about gloves and masks are the result of this SOB dentist (David Acer) who had full blown AIDS and purposely infected some of his patients[allegedly] in the late 80s. Google it...its the only known case of transmission of HIV from healthcare provider to patient. Not exactly dentistry's finest hour.

 

[denzelbrown]

the so called street dentists from india is the most hateful, racist, thread i have seen, please delete it or i will be forced to complain to the state, local, federal authorities, imagine showing bunch of black people or mexicans on the street and mentioning them as street dentists!! they r not dentists, there r just poor people scaming other poor people, i can easlily show u if u want, poor street irish, polish and italian "dentists"

i think it has become fashionable to bash indian dentists as there seems to be lot of them in the advanced class all over USA,


i know the id of the moderator and if this thread is not deleted, suitable legal action will be taken and its not an empty threat!!

 

[anthroguy]

Hey denzelbrown,

Although a thread like this usually ends up pissing me off cause someone ignoran t decides to mention caste or how indian healthcare providers be they dentists or doctors are subpar and how that shows in their practicing in this country, I don't think the op assumed that these "street dentists" have any sort of education. To the poster that had to mention caste, i can assure you that "seats" as spots are called in medical and dental schools in India are now largely reserved for people of lower castes. Its come to a point wher Brahmins in southern Indian states are facing hardships in education. These hardships began in the 80s when high-caste south Indians professors who had the education found themselves giong to other states or abroad west as they would not be hired due to restrictions.

 

[LADoc00]

the so called street dentists from india is the most hateful, racist, thread i have seen, please delete it or i will be forced to complain to the state, local, federal authorities, imagine showing bunch of black people or mexicans on the street and mentioning them as street dentists!! they r not dentists, there r just poor people scaming other poor people, i can easlily show u if u want, poor street irish, polish and italian "dentists"

i think it has become fashionable to bash indian dentists as there seems to be lot of them in the advanced class all over USA,


i know the id of the moderator and if this thread is not deleted, suitable legal action will be taken and its not an empty threat!!

Let the hate consume you....turn to the darkside..

 

[BDS-DMD]

Hey Denzel,

Before I say anything, let me give you my background. I finished my BDS from one of the top schools in India in 2003 and joined Penn for the Advanced Standing DMD in 2005. I just graduated this year.

I have been following this thread and actually find nothing offensive. It is the way it is. India is a diverse country with a lot of under-priviledged people. Not everyone has access to proper medical/dental care. These dentists have been around for a long time and even though their methods may not be totally scientific, thats all the rural areas have.

Instead of making a huge hue and cry about racism, why did you not explain this point to the other members. More importantly, why did you consider this thread racist at all. Racism is a very serious charge. If people here were racist,people like me would not have been able to even THINK of joining one of the top schools in this country just for 2 years and get the same DMD that the 4 year students get.

You are free to PM me if you wish to continue this discussion in private but otherwise please concentrate your energy and efforts somewhere else.

 

[denzelbrown]

I am not calling every one racist, i get ur point, USA is a wonderful country and I love it, but please tell me one good reason for posting the pics on a student forum?? what was the purpose? r the people in USA? isn’t this forum primarily not about USA schools? r we discussing about admission in Indian schools or Europe schools? the audacity of some dude who replied that this is factual information and we need to discuss about them!!! why? the whole purpose of the thread was to humiliate them and cause embarrassment and laugh at them, u know it, i know it,

again I want you to ask yourself what was the purpose? how will the others feel if I post dirty, filthy, poor patients in US or Europe schools and make smart ass comments about them (first amendment!!!)

did the dude who posted the thread grant u admission? No!! did u really believe the person with that kind of attitude would have allowed u in a dental school!! if u believe that then god bless u bro!!

 

[BDS-DMD]

Let me put it this way.

The fact that there are street dentists in India is a fact and there is nothing you and I can do anything about it. More importantly we don't NEED to do anything about this.

If you did get hurt, ignore it. By raging and ranting you are giving undue importance to the person posting it.

Calm down brother!

 

[VineetEkta]

Anyone dentist from India ? Need Help

 

[mochafreak]

denzelbrown...

I'm the OP and my thoughts on posting this thread went along the lines of...this is a dental forum and the pictures were interesting and dental related. The little joke I made is the product of my emergency medical background (where humor is used to counteract the general crappiness of the world, i.e. someone dying in front of you or pictures that show unfortunate people receiving substandard and dangerous care). However, since this is the internet where context means everything, I've since realized (long before your post) that my EMS humor was inappropriate to the content of the thread and for that I apologize. I certainly didn't think that the "dentists" in the pictures had any type of formal training.

There was also no racist intent whatsoever...I'm really not sure how you could look at that post and pronounce me a racist. In any case, you're dead wrong and fairly ignorant for doing so IMO. You know nothing about me or my background.

Finally, this forum is not limited to concerns and dialogues about USA dentistry. Everyone living and training in the US should be aware of both the good and bad practices of dentistry elsewhere in the world. I'm sure there are areas within our dental practices that could be improved upon by studying other countries' practices. Likewise, if we turn a blind eye to topics like this, then how are we supposed to improve the state of health care elsewhere.

Deleting the topic would be ridiculous considering there have been many thoughtful and intelligent posts to it. Censorship will never improve anything. IMO, if you disagree with someone's post you should challenge their views with an educated argument based on your personal experiences. Then, we can all learn something from each other...

 

[MaheshG]

Interesting thread, (except for the inane mudslinging from Jayb). Here are some amazing links on street dentists from India, China and Pakistan. Amazingly enough, patients interviewed appear to have come there by choice, and are not poor.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=950DEEDE103DF93AA2575BC0A9649C8B63

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/07/h...d4bca4f8dc780c&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Another interesting link on the 7000 year old history or dentistry in India:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_Valley_Civilization