Today

"But Doctor Ylaf, what can I do - There are no patients. People are too afraid to come into the hospital for treatment. What can I do??"

"If you don't treat patients, you will have a failing mark. I cannot do anything either."

The students are trying to find a way around this terrible situation. Hospitals that people are too afraid to enter!

Dr. Ylaf was a kind hearted woman in spite of her strict words. "Listen ----------, last year the students had the same problem and we allowed them to bring in their own patients."

"How do you mean, Doctor??"

"Friends, relatives, anyone you can convince to come, on condition that they are in real need of treatment."

This is what I got from my daughter at 08:15 this morning. She spoke to me half crying telling me that she is going to fail after all - unless we can find people who are in need of dental care and convince them to go to that hospital where she can work on their teeth under the supervision of her teachers.

I pick up my phone and start dialing the numbers of uncles, aunts, friends and everyone I know who is still in Baghdad.

"I'm Sorry, Sahar. You understand. Our lives are more important than our teeth." is the average answer I got.

At last! "Of course we'll come! I'll bring her uncle and we'll both be there! We understand. Although we are all in need of dental care, none of the young ones will be with us. You understand."

Two people.

A start.

A deeeeeeeeeeeeep breath.

To cover the required number of teeth pulled, teeth repaired, partial and complete dentures and so many other things in dental surgery that I can't begin to imagine - we have made a start.

Her uncle and aunt, willing to risk their lives so that she may have teeth to work on today.

Comments

[LJM]

I've heard that violence in Baghdad is decreased, so maybe more people will go to get their dental problems fixed. I have a gold filling that was done by a friend who was in dental school and had to do a set number of things. I was her gold filling.