I Always Look Forward to My Visits With Jesus

There was a skip in my step as I walked home. Everything looked bright and fresh…all warm and sunshiney.

I had dreaded this day and its mid-morning appointment, but to my surprise, now that it was over, all was well with the world. No anxiety, no discomfort.

Of course, much of my euphoria had to do with comparisons to similar experiences back in Omaha. Time and again, the new life wins out over the old.

I’d just left my dentist’s office in Merida, you see. I’d been there for my regular check-up and teeth cleaning. I never looked forward to going to the dentist; if anyone does, I don’t know them.

And while I can’t say I actually look forward to it, a visit with Jesus is nothing to fear.

I’ve written about Dr. Jesus Sanchez before. His office, in the heart of Merida’s central historic district, is clean, modern and sterile. He has the latest in dentistry equipment. Most importantly to me, dental chicken that I am, his chair-side manner is unmatched. No dentist anywhere has ever made me as comfortable.

By the way, on this visit, no drugs were involved. I’ve always needed pain medication in the past…even for a cleaning. But no longer.

Dr. Jesus spent over an hour painstakingly cleaning my teeth. And he gave me some encouraging words about my dental condition. (In Omaha, my dentist would have given me a stern lecture about the terrible things that were certain to happen in my mouth due to my inept flossing methods. And probably sent me on to an expensive flossing specialist of some kind.)

Dr. Jesus, though, assured me that he will help me maintain my dental health, without surgery or other invasive specialized techniques. He did, though, ask me to have some new X-rays taken so he can compare my progress over time.

The cost for my time with Jesus: 500 pesos. That’s about $35. On the way home, I stopped in (no appointment necessary) and had a full-mouth dental X-ray done. Price: 150 pesos, or $10.50.

See why I was so happy?

If you’re in Merida, you can make an appointment with Dr. Sanchez by calling 999-924-9895. He’s on Calle 53, just east of Calle 66.

Suzan Haskins
Latin America Editorial Director, International Living