Dentist's dedication takes bite out of poverty

Congratulations Dr Paul Kotala. Well done!

"LOOKING for the dentist? He's just down past the fried cockroaches and before the pickled fish roe and papaya.

It is market day in a small village in Laos. In the stifling humidity, villagers are searching for Paul Kotala's old kitchen chair, nestled between the fruits and vegetables laid out on tarpaulins.

Some have travelled for up to five hours by tuk-tuk, boat or on foot, and many are in intense pain from impacted teeth and abscesses. One patient is running late for his appointment. Days late. When questioned, he explains his buffalo was sick.

It is a long way from Mosman, where Dr Kotala ran a private practice for 13 years, but this is where his heart, and conscience, found a home."

For the full story see Dentist's dedication takes bite out of poverty - World - smh.com.au

hey there,
paul kotala here. just firstly would like to compliment steve on all the work that he has done on this site.
the work i do in laos is truely rewarding. whilst i have partaken in most areas of dentistry in australia, nothing can prepare you for the first few days working on a verandah with no electricity or water. the people are so friendly and patient, often waiting for a few hours, mind you before i was there they had no dentist so any time would have been shorter.
i visit there 4 times a year and further information can be found on www.toothaid.org
cheers
pk

So Paul, I assume you would have mainly performed extractions (hoping they didn't become surgicals!) and sedative dressings after using hand instruments?

Steve