Red alert: dentists; holiday destinations; wellness weeks

There goes another Saturday, quietly and wetly. Although not without some small drama. A few days ago Max complained of a sore tooth, but I didn't think much of it as he seemed to be eating ok (nothing gets in the way of that boy's food) and generally well. Yesterday afternoon while playing at the sportplatz he looked noticeably ill and feverish, and said again that he had a sore tooth (back molar). We came home, dosed him up with paracetemol and tucked him up in front of the telly. He seemed ok when he went to bed, but he woke up this morning with a headache, sore tooth and fever. Cripes! A dental emergency is not the sort of thing you like to have on a Saturday morning in Switzerland. All the normal dentists are closed, and the emergency dentists are notorious for charging like wounded, outraged, vicious bulls (in fact, even the normal dentists do this: Bruno was charged 600 francs for a clean and polish and a quick filling fix).

After calling our paediatrician (not much help, referred us to the hospital) and then the hospital (even less help, referred us to the closed dentist) Bruno called the emergency dentist number I found in this very useful book. With some trepidation (especially after they announced that a credit card would have to be handed over BEFORE treatment) Bruno managed to get Max an appointment at 2pm. I felt a bit freaked out, envisioning bills with many zeroes tacked onto the end, and a kiddie trautmatised by the shonky commercially-motivated fraudster who must surely be behind such an operation. I think I also felt a bit upset that all our years of carefully avoiding sweets and militant tooth-brushing had been for naught (we thought he must have a hole in his tooth) - his picture perfect, lovely teeth were in fact decay-ridden, calcium deficient and just waiting to drop out of his head (flash-backs to my own frequent childhood trips to the dentist).

As soon as I heard the words 'tooth-ache' I was chastising myself for all the sneaky chocolates, biccies and sumptuous birthday cakes that have snuck their way into our lives (we've really been far more lenient with sweeties since Lola came along). But, now, no more! The kitschenette household will be a sweetie-free household from now on!!! At least, while the kiddies are looking. I'll have to wait for my chocolate and cake fix until after the kiddies are in bed now *sigh*. 

As it turned out, Max's teeth were neither decayed nor calcium deficient. And the dental practice was a completely respectable, fancy-pants outfit recommeded by all the hospitals. Phew. The diagnosis was some impatient big teeth that are pushing their way up under the baby teeth, and causing some pain and tenderness. A common occurrence, apparently. Nothing to be done about it except some numbing mouthwash and the usual remedies for keeping fever down. Happily, the bill was an entirely acceptable 45 francs. Admittedly, the dentist took about two minutes to make his diagnosis, but I suppose we have to trust his judgement.

I do suspect, however, that poor Max has picked up some sort of bug from the Chinderhuus, because he was feeling feverish and shivery cold again this evening (no tooth-ache though). Tucked him up in bed with many kisses after a warm bath and two Lola stories. Hope he sleeps well tonight.

After this morning's dental red-alert, I brushed my teeth especially well and flossed in between every gap I could find. And vowed that not another piece of chocolate nor grain of sugar shall pass my childrens' lips again. and Bruno, flipping through a magazine, happened across an advertisement extolling the virtues of Hungarian dental holidays - for 399 francs per person, you can go to Hungary and stay for 9 days, accomodation and breakfasts included, plus a basic dental check-up and prognosis. Wow, what a deal! Super-cheap! After Bruno's last exxy visit to the dentist, this doens't sound like too bad an option... All work is guaranteed by a Swiss dentist (ie. if anything goes wrong once you are back you see the dentist here in swissyland) and the work itself is of 'West European' standard (their words). Sounds crazy, but perhaps something to consider....

The price of Swiss dentists is so completely outrageous that this sort of thing is apparently booming. Although health insurance is compulsory here, it most often doesn't include cover for dental care, so you pay up-front. Ouch. Anywhere in the EU is cheaper than in Switzerland.

Hungary is particularly attractive to us because Bruno's company is just now setting up a manufacturing plant over there, and they have a permanent apartment set up. Hmmm....Bruno and I spent a few minutes laughingly envisaging fun whole family dental/optical holidays in Budapest. We could spend a week there and come back looking like entirely different people! Capped, bleached, filled and be-spectacled!

On the topic of holidays, I'm trying to pick a holiday destination for later in the year, sometime around Autumn. The front-runners are:

- Madrid

- Barcelona

- Prague

- Budapest (added advantage of possibly being a 'health' holiday : ) )

- Copenhagen

- Stockholm

- Lisbon

I haven't been anywhere, so I'm open to suggestions. Anyone?

Bruno and I have decided we must redress our recent gastronomic indulgences - too much bread, chocolate, wine, coffee, cheese etc etc. We have been naughty lately (read: the last few years). So as of tomorrow we are doing (or is that having) one of these. This 'wellness week' comes handily packaged in a big box with everything you need in it - juice, seeds and tea. I'm SO looking forward to a week of linseeds, herbal tea, and juice. NOT. But I do feel as though I need a detox. Actually, I'm not going to do the proper juice fast because, unlike the recommended instructions, I cannot 'lie on the sofa quietly thinking and reading' all week. I have two children! the words 'quiet', 'think', and 'read' do not enter my weekday vocabulary. So I'm just going to do the jice/seeds/tea thing with a non- dairy/wheat/meat diet. Thank god for rice and fruit and vegetables. 

But, tomorrow is well, tomorrow. So excuse me while I go and pour myself another glass of wine and cut myself another delicious wodge of the caramel flan than our cuban neighbour so kindly made us yesterday....

Comments

[Joana]

I recommend Lisbon, of course! ;) Even during autumn we have very good weather, lots of sun and sometimes even hot temperatures! A season that insists on being summer.
There's a lot to see, outside the city too. The countryside is quite nice, if you want some peace and quiet. (And then, of course, you have the rest of Portugal.)
Maybe you can be lucky and still enjoy the beach.
On the downside, it's messy, unclean, loaded with trafic and nothing runs on time (meaning public transports), but I think you'll find it picturesque.
I'm here if you need any information or help. :)

[Joana]

Forgot something: it's a very cheap city, especially considering you're living in switzerland. Did I win you yet? ;)

[Jan]

it's always such a worry when the little ones get sick - and then add on all that dentist money stress....phew! Glad it wasn't too bad for him. i guess we should be thankful for having the dental coverage we do have here. wow!

i'd go to stockholm - i've never been, but it's a place i'd like to see......all of them sound so exotic from a canadian's point of view! have fun choosing!

[Jan]

oh btw; (unrelated) i ordered that "mini" magazine you posted about a while back and it arrived here last week much to my delight. great mag! loved all of it and was cool to see a litte about zurich. thanks for the suggestion.

[Elli]

I paid 400 Francs last year for a filling and 150 for the cleaning. I absolutely hate going to the dentist here. Our old one, who retired the year before last, used to give us a "family discount" because we paid cash. I miss him.

And I'm so happy you posted a link to the Biotta Wellness Week. I was going to try a fruit fast this week, but had no plan. I'm going to check that out as soon as we can go shopping again. (Cursing holidays)

[David]

my vote is for lisbon. we had a lovely and romantic time (ohne kinder) in a cheap and cheerful hotel with the most stunning views over the city.
http://www.net4.com/lissabon-hotels/ninho-das-aguias.html

[Dr Alice]

I love Prague (have been there three times)though it's much more touristy than it used to be. Have been to Budapest twice. Love. It. Not as touristy as Prague. If you like Mittel European style food both these places are great, and the culture is to die for. (Budapest especially is like a cut rate Vienna.)

Hope this helps.

[shellyC]

There is a plus for Australia....having recently had some dentist dramas myself! I think the thought of the cost was what had me avoiding them in Switzerland. Wish I had known about the holidays to Hungary!

Lisbon...we never managed to get there...but I have always wanted too!!

[NA]

Just started the Biotta juice thingy. Have to plug my nose when I down the sauerkraut stuff. Blech.

[Dentist melbourne]

I most certainly enjoyed reading this post.It was a very informative.

[california cosmetic dentist]

Very interesting blog with lots of great information. :)

-heather-

[Rachael]

well aren't you glad his tooth problem was no where near as bad as mine! Although I do feel for you Max, sore teeth are not fun!! Love to you all, Rachael xo

[california cosmetic dentist]

This is exactly what i felt before i feel so upset that all our years or carefully avoiding sweets and militant tooth-brushing had been for naught (we thought he must have a hole in his tooth) - his picture perfect,i so disappointed,anyway thanks for sharing you have a nice blog.

by: florence

[cosmetic dentist hollywood]

I can relate with you guys, as far as I'm concern budapest was one of the best when it regards to health.

-heather-