モロッコの歯医者さんに行きました
What is your “weakness”? For me, it’s definitely a “going to the dentist.” Back in the states, I had a dentist I entrusted everything to, and his name was <Dr. Moody>. Yes, it’s his real name. I’d always be very moody the day before my dentist appointment. He was a very good dentist, but my “Dental Phobia” never subsided, though I somehow managed to endure it.
みなさんは「弱点」ありますか？私は”歯医者さんへ行くこと”が最高の弱点です。アメリカ時代、歯のクリーニングから治療まで、全てをたくしていた歯医者さんがおりまして、彼の名はDr. Moody。歯医者さんの予約のある前の日からは、私の方がかなりムーディー。とても良い歯医者さんではありましたが、私の『歯科恐怖症』はおさまる事はなく、それでもなんとか耐えていました。
Now, we live in Rabat, been here for a year and a half. Surely, it’s about time to get my teeth cleaned. Just as I was thinking so, a piece of a previously treated tooth chipped – a very sad moment. Oh, well, it’s a sign that I really needed to see a dentist.
そして。モロッコに越してきて１年半。「そろそろ、歯のクリーニングが必要だよねぇ～」と思っていた矢先、以前治療してあった歯のかぶりものが欠けるという悲しい出来事。しょうがない、、、歯医者さんに行こう。
So, first thing first, “Dentist Shopping” started. We picked out well-reviewed dentists nearby, using the power of the internet and visited them in person. Duo Dentist, which is only an 8-minute walk from our house, seemed to be a very “comfortable” with a nice relaxed waiting room and a Rene Magritte-looking painting. I like Magritte. And, it’s close to my favorite Indian restaurant. “We could do a consultation now if you like!” and I was immediately taken to the treatment chair. Seriously??? I felt completely unprepared, both mentally and physically.
で、まずは＜歯医者さんショッピング＞。ネットやらで近場で良さそうな歯医者さんを抜粋し、実際に足を運ぶ事に。そんな中、我が家から歩いて８分というロケーションにあるDuo Dentalへ向かったところ、ブラウン調のリラックスできる待合室とマグリットっぽい絵に好感触高め。「なんなら初診、今やっちゃう？」となり、すぐさま診療台へ。おいおい！心と体の準備、全くできてないよ～と思いつつ、まぁ、とりあえずドキドキしながら初診が開始となりました。
I had X-rays taken with the latest 3D scanner, was throughouly examined, then had many photos with flash taken with a cellphone-like device. It was like <Teeth-Selfie>.“This is what those TikTok girls feel like, maybe,” I thought. I was then led straight to a beautiful office, where my teeth were projected onto a huge TV screen on a wall, the one you’d watch football playoff games. I was both amazed and embarrassed at the same time, seeing my gigantic set of teeth. A young handsome dentist, Dr. Krafess, who is not moody at all, explained everything in English. Mostly just fine, but he pointed out, “these can be put in laminate veneers, they will look nice!”
最新の3Dスキャナーでレントゲンを撮ったり、診察されたり、、、そして携帯のようなカメラでぱしゃぱしゃと何枚も写真を撮られたと思ったら、素敵なオフィスへ直行。おおおおおおおきい、フットボールの試合をみるようなテレビスクリーンにドカーン！と映し出された自分の歯に恥ずかしさと、あまりのハイテク度にびっくりになっていると、先生が流暢な英語で「こことここ、ラミネートベニアにしたら見た目も綺麗だし、いいよ」と。
And so, my dental visits began just like that. Smoothly and unexpectedly. I thought that veneers were for the rich ladies of “The Real Housewives” shows or for the Hollywood celebrities, but I guess a normal civilian like me could get one, too. Maybe, I could start a “The Real Housewife of Agdal” series. Anyway, after only four visits (the last one was just a 2-minute check of the veneers), the results were amazing! The doctor was always attentive, and the procedure was done so gently and carefully, with “All-I-Can-Ask-Anesthesia” — I almost felt guilty.
というわけで、まるで流作業のようにスイスイとはじまった歯医者さん通い。ベニアって、お金持ちの奥様達が審美歯科で行うホワイトニングの一環だと思っていたので、なんだか不思議。とはいえ、ほんの4回（そのうち最後の１回は、ベニアの状態をチェックするのみ、３分間だけ）で、綺麗な綺麗な出来栄え！たのめば好きなだけ（笑）麻酔もしてくれるし、とにかくいつも優しくチェックしてくれつつ、の施術なので、なんだかこっちが申し訳なくなるくらい。
I know I shouldn’t dwell too much on the cost differences, but the price of cleaning and these cosmetic dental treatments (veneers) here is probably 50%~80% less than what I would pay in the US, even without insurance (and let’s not start talking about the incredibly high insurance cost in the US…). No wonder that Morocco is one of the popular destinations for dental/medical tourism…
あまり金額のことは言うべきではありませんが、クリーニングや審美歯科治療（ラミネートベニア）をこちらで受けた場合の額とアメリカで支払っていた額、と信じられないくらい差があります。たぶん、50％～80％、モロッコの方が安いです。アメリカでは、すっごく高い保険を払っていても歯医者さんはお金がかかる、という感じでしたが、さすがモロッコは＜歯科医療ツーリズム＞の目的地となるくらいなんだなぁ、と実感。
I don’t think my “Dental Phobia” will ever go away. It’s in my DNA and can’t do anything about it. But, I am so grateful for: 1) finding a dentist in this new country, a new neighborhood where I can receive satisfactory service, 2) for being able to make appointments easily, 3) for its walking distance location and, that means, I can treat myself with a yummy fresh juice at Sahbi (my favorite juice stand) after the appointment, and 4) for being budget-friendly. I feel like I am a big girl now! I am proud of myself to have taken a big step forward, as a person with a dental phobia, to have received dental care in Rabat. Having healthy teeth really does make you feel more positive & grownup, isn’t it?
私の『歯科恐怖症』は一生無くならないと思います。はい。でも、新しい国、新しい土地で、1) 納得のいくサービスを受けられる歯医者さんを見つけられた事、2) 予約がしやすい事、3) 歩いていける距離という事（治療の帰りに、ご褒美のフレッシュジュースをお気に入りのカフェで飲める事）、そして4) お財布に優しい事、、、全てにおいて感謝です。なんだか「一歩先に進めた！気分」であり、「大人になれた（笑）気分」でございます。歯の調子がいいと、心が前向きになれますよねぇ。
I would like to send BIG CHUKRAN to my husband and my teddybear who always come to my appointments for emotional support. By the way, the “Duo” in Duo Dental seems to come from the fact that they have two dentists in the office. It has nothing to do with Duolingo.
歯医者さんの予約にいつも一緒にきてくれた旦那さんとテディベアのフーバーに感謝。ちなみに、Duo Dental のDuo は、先生が2人いらっしゃるからのようです。Duolingo とは関係ありません。
Tomo
The cats of the day :: Les chats du jour :: 今日の猫しゃん達
Please stop by at my salon again 💞🫖🍵 3afak & Chukran
またサロンに寄ってくださいね🇲🇦🇯🇵
