24年首次看牙医 启智学生‘满口自信’迎向未来
【杨淑元（慈馡）/ 新加坡报导】
新加坡慈济义诊中心平日为本地低收入户、乐龄人士及外籍劳工免费看诊，9月26日这天，也迎来新加坡弱智人士福利促进会（The Movement for the intellectually Disabled of Singapore,简称MINDS）的13位学生，为他们补牙、洗牙、拔牙，并教导他们如何正确刷牙，照顾口腔健康。
在冗长的等候时间里，医生和志工们还精心安排魔术演出及游戏等，让学生们在欢乐声中忘却恐惧，轻松看牙，带着健康洁白的牙齿回家，也度过一个欢乐的星期天。
◎ 退去恐惧绽露笑容
知道要来看牙，学生们心中都有点害怕，不过当巴士一抵达义诊中心，慈济人热情的歌声、欢迎声萦绕，医护人员带上动物造型帽子和围巾吸引目光，不知不觉中，孩子们惶恐的神情逐渐退去，绽露出羞怯的笑容。
志工带来一连串精彩的节目，有魔术表演、卡片填色、团康带动、造型气球等，将义诊中心变成一个快乐园地。这群智力障碍的孩子们或许看不懂魔术的变幻及技巧；无法控制的手也一直将颜色画出格；唱跳的手脚也赶不上拍子，然而志工不间断的赞赏和鼓励，让他们感受到爱与支持，开心地敞开胸怀，在欢乐的气氛中也暂时忘却了看牙的恐惧。
大厅里的欢乐节目持续进行着，诊疗室里的医师和志工也非常忙碌。要让这些孩子愿意张开看牙也不是简单的事，医护人员边哄边安抚，必要时还得动用多位志工协助抓住手脚，或制作有趣的物品来转移注意力，洗牙仪器的吱吱声和哇哇的叫声此起彼落。
“真不容易呢，诊疗的时间要多一倍，所以今天下午只能安排13个学生。”负责召集此次义诊的牙科医师邓国荣笑着说。
◎ 有你的支持，真好
“带梓彬看牙是一件很费力、辛苦的事，上一次看牙，他没办法乖乖躺住，最后无计可施，只好注射麻醉药让他睡着，一口气拔掉七、八颗的乳牙。”黄梓彬的妈妈郑玲凤回忆着说。
果不其然，当志工推着梓彬进诊疗室时，还有说有笑，可当他一看到医师，就闷着嘴，似乎对大家都不信任。半哄半开玩笑，梓彬终于张开口，只是当仪器碰到牙齿，他就开始挣扎，最后动员了五、六位志工按住他，才在一片安抚声中完成洗牙工程。
露出洁白的牙齿，梓彬开心地走出诊疗室，能够顺利看牙，也让妈妈郑玲凤放下心中大石。
“距离上次看牙医差不多十年了，梓彬今天很开心，真的好谢谢你们，世界上还有这么好的人，有你们的爱心和支持，让我觉得很开心也很安慰。”郑玲凤眼眶泛红地说。
◎ 虽有障碍，不孤单
在母亲的陪伴下，这是曾云云有生以来第一次坐上牙科诊疗椅，心中忐忑不安。
今年24岁的曾云云是吴玉琴女士的老三，出生不久就被诊断智力不足，虽然无奈和不舍，吴玉琴还是勇敢地接受现实，也开始学习如何抚养智力障碍的孩子。
云云虽然天资不聪颖，可是乖巧贴心，和妈妈感情深厚。除了日常生活的训练，母亲也经常带她上各种才艺课程，她也是学校滚球队的好手，还曾代表新加坡参加上海举办的国际特殊奥运会，生活多姿多彩。
因为云云患有先天性心脏病，13个月大曾开刀手术，医生频嘱咐看牙医时要特别小心，让母亲对于云云看牙医这件事一直却步。
“医生说，看牙前要先吃抗生素才能做检查。就是觉得麻烦和害怕，二十多年来，我从来没有带她看过牙医，也不知道她的牙齿状况如何。”吴玉琴无奈的说。
医生细心检查后，发现云云的牙齿状况不理想，有颗大蛀牙需要拔除。经过洗牙、麻醉、拔牙，一个小时后，医生终于将蛀牙拔除，也约定他日再来复诊。24年来第一次看牙医，走出诊疗室，虽然麻醉药的效力还在，嘴里咬着棉花，云云还是可爱地向志工比着谢谢的手势。
感受慈济医护人员对女儿的照顾，吴玉琴充满了深深的感谢。“怎么会有这么有爱心的人啊？从一下车就有歌声和笑容热烈接待，不仅让孩子看牙，还准备丰富的节目，为他们带来欢乐，你们的爱心让我受宠若惊，有机会我也要做志工帮助别人。”志工的关怀和支持，让吴玉琴在陪伴云云的漫长路上，没有孤单。
◎ 自信迎向未来
感受到家长和孩子的欣喜，来自MINDS周末活动召集人李惠晶说：“今天的活动，我觉得不管是家长或孩子都受益良多。智力障碍的孩子比较没有照顾牙齿的意识和能力，有些连刷牙都有问题，经常是牙痛时才去见牙医。看牙时，也很难控制情绪和动作，有时连牙医和父母都没有办法。今天有这么多志工协助，对他们是个很大的帮助。况且，新加坡牙医费用很贵，低收入家庭很难负担，慈济义诊中心提供了他们很好的帮助。”
“平常人对看牙齿都有恐惧感，更别说这些智力有障碍的孩子。所以我们特别安排游戏、气球等，也请医生装扮像小动物，让他们开心。此外，为了要拉近距离，和他们交谈时，也要用小孩的语气，鼓励、称赞他们，融入他们的世界。未来希望我们能尽自己力量，继续照顾这些孩子的牙齿健康。”邓国荣医师说。
医师的专业看诊加上志工的情绪安抚，慈济团队用心和细心，为的就是希望所有的孩子们拥有健康的牙齿及强健的体魄。也祝福他们不要因为身心障碍而放弃自己，认真面对生命，怀抱自信，勇敢迎向未来。
克服犹豫踏出第一步 慈青活力感染启智学生
【许洈宾/ 新加坡报导】
当言语无法作为沟通的桥梁时，肢体语言就是最佳的表现关怀的方法。
每月固定一次在慈济义诊中心服务的慈青，于9月26日策划了一系列活动，希望陪伴前来义诊中心检查牙齿的启智学生度过愉快的周末。这次活动的慈青窗口施懿芸同学在活动的前两天亲自准备了许多静思语字条、卡通剪纸与图案，作为学生们作画时的材料。
这13位来自新加坡弱智人士福利促进会（MINDs）的学生在父母和义工的陪同下来到义诊中心。让大家印象深刻的，是在吹气球环节时，一名同学天真地亲了慈青张丽妃，以示感谢以及开心。除此之外，另一名新进慈青黄敬权还意外地收到了同学亲手以气球制作的花朵和亲手填色的卡片呢！
◎ 从陌生到熟悉
大部分慈青都是第一次接触启智学生，开始的时候难免会觉得尴尬和害怕，不知道该如何和他们沟通。当司仪呼吁慈青加入小圆桌就近陪伴时，大家还是有点踌躇不前，但是只要踏出了第一步，才发现困难原来只是“踏出第一步之前的感觉”而已。
慈青张丽妃表示刚开始时她也不知道该如何面对启智学生，只能在他们制作卡片时从旁协助他们。慈青们唯有细心观察学习师姑师伯们与同学们的互动，还有感受同学们的双亲对孩子长期关怀与包容。慢慢地，同学就能感受慈青的真诚，然后开始回应，甚至到后来吹气球环节时大家打成一片，最后连慈青摄影志工也忍不住参与其中。
摄影志工周祎超表示：“在互动的时候，虽然不知道同学的内心想法，只能竭尽所能帮助他们。”
另一位新进慈青黄敬权表示，其实他也是觉得和同学们沟通很困难。但是，随着后来培养出默契后，同学就会对志工和慈青产生亲切感。在场的志工鼓励慈青专注于陪伴一名同学，等到该名同学熟悉慈青后，自然地就不会对慈青表现抗拒。敬权也说虽然之前曾学过手语，但已忘记，所以手语环节是让他重新学习手语的机会。
◎ 手语带动打破沟通障碍
这次的手语表演展现了慈青随机应变的能力。由于慈青们在活动开始半个小时前才练习手语，因此还未能完全掌握每个姿势。当《快乐朋友》的音乐响起时，一些慈青拉着同学们的手唱舞，一些慈青和比较害羞的同学一起打节拍，让气氛变得融洽。
就像歌词所描述般“嘿，我们快乐的朋友，手拉着手，我们心连心，一起努力向前行，共创美好的人生……”
慈青张佑平说，同学们有着一颗单纯的心，只要真心对待，对方就能感受到其中诚意。一个握手、一个Hi 5、一个微笑就能拉近距离。他还期待下次有类似活动时，慈青可以在手语带动的时候把手语动作尽量简化，以便能让同学们一起参与。
回顾另一首手语带动歌曲《地球的孩子》，慈青们和启智同学们其实‘都是地球的孩子’，只是‘上天为我们写下不同的故事’。面对着同学们单纯的心，唤醒了慈青们的赤子之心，还有一个大家小时候共同的愿望——没有烦恼快乐成长。
Where Fears Subsides and Smiles Surfaces
Translated by Sim Lit Wee
Tzu Chi Free Clinic (Singapore) has been providing medical services to the poor, the elderly and foreign workers on a regular basis. On 26 September, the clinic welcomed 13 young beneficiaries from The Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) and provided them with dental checks and treatment.
In order to keep the beneficiaries entertained during the long wait, the doctors and volunteers have came prepared with a line-up of magic performances and games, injecting joy and laughter into the atmosphere.
Where fears subsides and smiles surfaces
Dental visits are usually conditioned with fear, an emotion which was also apparent on the beneficiaries’ faces on their bus journey to the Tzu Chi Free Clinic. However, upon arrival at the clinic, the warm welcoming cheers from the volunteers, as well as the adorable and attractive soft toys on the medical team’s hat and scarf gradually drew all their attention away.
The supposing “scary dental visit” was turned into a cheerful playground as the Tzu Chi volunteers occupied the beneficiaries with a line-up of magic shows, colouring activities, card-making, sign-language sign-along and balloon sculpturing. Although the beneficiaries may not have understood the magic tricks, their fidgeting hands may not have allowed them to colour within the lines, nor could they follow the rhythms during the “sign-along” session, they were still very much supported by the volunteers who were generous in giving encouragements.
As the joyful events carried on in the waiting area, efforts for doctors and volunteers in the dental room were also ongoing. It was not easy to get the beneficiaries to cooperate for oral checks. Despite numerous comforting and cajoling, there were times where the volunteers had to keep the beneficiaries still by holding their hands and legs tight or distract them with improvised playthings.
“It is quite a challenge for us. We needed twice as long of the usual time for each session. That’s why we could only schedule for 13 beneficiaries to come today”, said Dr Tang Kok Weng, the dentist coordinator, with a smile.
Great to have your support
“Getting Zi Bin to the dentist is really painstaking. The last time he went to a dentist, he couldn’t even lie still. In the end we had to give him an anesthesia jab to let him sleep throughout the procedure, and let him had seven to eight tooth extraction at one go,” said Zi Bin’s mum Mdm Zheng Ling Feng as she recalled the experience.
Zi Bin’s was still laughing away as the volunteers brought him into the dental room. But the minute he saw the dentist, the change in his facial expression was obvious; the boy started to look uneasy and a sense of distrust started to emerge. It was only after some jokes and persuasion that the teen finally opened his mouth, but he struggled each time when the dental equipments went near him. The scaling procedure was only able to be completed with the help from about six volunteers to hold him still and comfort him.
When she saw Zi Bin walking out of the dental room with smiling and showing off his clean, white teeth, Mdm Zheng was finally relieved.
“It has been almost 10 years since his last dental visit. I can see Zi Bin is very happy today. All thanks to all of you. It’s great to know that there are still such kind hearted people like all of you out there. I really feel very happy and comforted having to receive your love and support,” said Mdm Zheng with tear in her eyes.
Less than perfect, but not alone
With her mother by her side, this is the first in her lifetime Zeng Yun Yun had ever sat on a dental chair. Anxiety was unavoidable.
24-year-old Yun Yun is the third child of Mdm Wu Yu Qin. She was diagnosed with intellectual disability not long after birth. Though upset and disheartened, Mdm Wu soon brought herself to accept the reality and eventually learnt how to tend to Yun Yun.
Although Yun Yun was not born smart, she is a sweet and understanding child, and led an interesting life too. Yun Yun shares a close bond with her mother. Apart from the usual life skill training, her mum also enrolled her for various talent courses. Yun Yun is an expert in bowls. She had even represented the Singapore Bowls Team in the Shanghai Special Olympics Games in 2007.
Born with congenital heart disease, Yun Yun had her first major operation when she was only 13 months old. The doctors advised that Yun Yun has to be extra cautious if she were to see a dentist. The advice stalled Mdm Wu in bringing Yun Yun for a dental check up all these years.
“The doctor told me that she has to take antibiotics before having a dental check up. I just felt it was really troublesome and I was scared, that’s why I did not dare to bring her to a dentist, and I didn’t know what’s her oral condition is like,” Mdm Wu said helplessly.
After a thorough check up, the dentist found out that Yun Yun has two cavities that needs to be extracted. The dental team then spent an hour scaling, applying anesthesia and extracting the two decayed teeth. An appointment was also made for Yun Yun to return for dental visits. Although still drowsy due to the effects of the anesthesia, Yun Yun walked out from her first dental visit in 24 years with gratitude. With the cotton padding still in her mouth, the adorable Yun Yun used her free hands to sign “thank you” to the volunteers.
With her daughter in good hands, Mdm Wu was very grateful and appreciative towards the care given by the dental team. “You guys are unbelievably kind! From the minute we got off the bus, we were greeted welcoming smiles. You not only provided dental services for the kids, but also prepared interesting programmes to keep them occupied and happy! This is really unbelievable! I hope I’ll have the chance to join as a volunteer one day and help others!”
Looking ahead with confidence
The coordinator of MINDS weekend project, Li Huijing, observed the whole dental session and sensed the joy and relief amongst the parents and beneficiaries. “Today’s activity has benefited both our beneficiaries and their parents. The beneficiaries are mostly unable to take care of their oral health. Some of them even face difficulties brushing teeth on their own, and often, they only see the dentist in the event of a toothache.
“While coming to the dentist, it is usually hard to appease their fears. Sometimes even the dentist and their parents can’t do much either. But today, there’s so many volunteers helping around, which was really wonderful! Besides, dental care in Singapore is pretty expensive and most low income family find problems affording these expenses. Tzu Chi Free Clinic has really provided a great help to our beneficiaries.”
Dr Tang Kok Weng said, “Even normal people would fret going to the dentist, let alone these beneficiaries. That’s why we planned games and even asked the dentists to put on some animal toys so that they can be at ease. Also, when conversing with them, we tried to use a more child-like tone and gave them lots of encouragements and praises. Hopefully we could keep tending to the oral needs of these beneficiaries in the near future.”
With the professionalism and compassion of the dental team as well as the Tzu Chi volunteers, it is the hope of all that all of the beneficiaries will have an ideal oral health as well as a fit body. Let us bless them with that and hope that they would brave their future with courage and confidence.
【杨淑元（慈馡）/ 新加坡报导】
新加坡慈济义诊中心平日为本地低收入户、乐龄人士及外籍劳工免费看诊，9月26日这天，也迎来新加坡弱智人士福利促进会（The Movement for the intellectually Disabled of Singapore,简称MINDS）的13位学生，为他们补牙、洗牙、拔牙，并教导他们如何正确刷牙，照顾口腔健康。
在冗长的等候时间里，医生和志工们还精心安排魔术演出及游戏等，让学生们在欢乐声中忘却恐惧，轻松看牙，带着健康洁白的牙齿回家，也度过一个欢乐的星期天。
◎ 退去恐惧绽露笑容
知道要来看牙，学生们心中都有点害怕，不过当巴士一抵达义诊中心，慈济人热情的歌声、欢迎声萦绕，医护人员带上动物造型帽子和围巾吸引目光，不知不觉中，孩子们惶恐的神情逐渐退去，绽露出羞怯的笑容。
志工带来一连串精彩的节目，有魔术表演、卡片填色、团康带动、造型气球等，将义诊中心变成一个快乐园地。这群智力障碍的孩子们或许看不懂魔术的变幻及技巧；无法控制的手也一直将颜色画出格；唱跳的手脚也赶不上拍子，然而志工不间断的赞赏和鼓励，让他们感受到爱与支持，开心地敞开胸怀，在欢乐的气氛中也暂时忘却了看牙的恐惧。
大厅里的欢乐节目持续进行着，诊疗室里的医师和志工也非常忙碌。要让这些孩子愿意张开看牙也不是简单的事，医护人员边哄边安抚，必要时还得动用多位志工协助抓住手脚，或制作有趣的物品来转移注意力，洗牙仪器的吱吱声和哇哇的叫声此起彼落。
“真不容易呢，诊疗的时间要多一倍，所以今天下午只能安排13个学生。”负责召集此次义诊的牙科医师邓国荣笑着说。
◎ 有你的支持，真好
“带梓彬看牙是一件很费力、辛苦的事，上一次看牙，他没办法乖乖躺住，最后无计可施，只好注射麻醉药让他睡着，一口气拔掉七、八颗的乳牙。”黄梓彬的妈妈郑玲凤回忆着说。
果不其然，当志工推着梓彬进诊疗室时，还有说有笑，可当他一看到医师，就闷着嘴，似乎对大家都不信任。半哄半开玩笑，梓彬终于张开口，只是当仪器碰到牙齿，他就开始挣扎，最后动员了五、六位志工按住他，才在一片安抚声中完成洗牙工程。
露出洁白的牙齿，梓彬开心地走出诊疗室，能够顺利看牙，也让妈妈郑玲凤放下心中大石。
“距离上次看牙医差不多十年了，梓彬今天很开心，真的好谢谢你们，世界上还有这么好的人，有你们的爱心和支持，让我觉得很开心也很安慰。”郑玲凤眼眶泛红地说。
◎ 虽有障碍，不孤单
在母亲的陪伴下，这是曾云云有生以来第一次坐上牙科诊疗椅，心中忐忑不安。
今年24岁的曾云云是吴玉琴女士的老三，出生不久就被诊断智力不足，虽然无奈和不舍，吴玉琴还是勇敢地接受现实，也开始学习如何抚养智力障碍的孩子。
云云虽然天资不聪颖，可是乖巧贴心，和妈妈感情深厚。除了日常生活的训练，母亲也经常带她上各种才艺课程，她也是学校滚球队的好手，还曾代表新加坡参加上海举办的国际特殊奥运会，生活多姿多彩。
因为云云患有先天性心脏病，13个月大曾开刀手术，医生频嘱咐看牙医时要特别小心，让母亲对于云云看牙医这件事一直却步。
“医生说，看牙前要先吃抗生素才能做检查。就是觉得麻烦和害怕，二十多年来，我从来没有带她看过牙医，也不知道她的牙齿状况如何。”吴玉琴无奈的说。
医生细心检查后，发现云云的牙齿状况不理想，有颗大蛀牙需要拔除。经过洗牙、麻醉、拔牙，一个小时后，医生终于将蛀牙拔除，也约定他日再来复诊。24年来第一次看牙医，走出诊疗室，虽然麻醉药的效力还在，嘴里咬着棉花，云云还是可爱地向志工比着谢谢的手势。
感受慈济医护人员对女儿的照顾，吴玉琴充满了深深的感谢。“怎么会有这么有爱心的人啊？从一下车就有歌声和笑容热烈接待，不仅让孩子看牙，还准备丰富的节目，为他们带来欢乐，你们的爱心让我受宠若惊，有机会我也要做志工帮助别人。”志工的关怀和支持，让吴玉琴在陪伴云云的漫长路上，没有孤单。
◎ 自信迎向未来
感受到家长和孩子的欣喜，来自MINDS周末活动召集人李惠晶说：“今天的活动，我觉得不管是家长或孩子都受益良多。智力障碍的孩子比较没有照顾牙齿的意识和能力，有些连刷牙都有问题，经常是牙痛时才去见牙医。看牙时，也很难控制情绪和动作，有时连牙医和父母都没有办法。今天有这么多志工协助，对他们是个很大的帮助。况且，新加坡牙医费用很贵，低收入家庭很难负担，慈济义诊中心提供了他们很好的帮助。”
“平常人对看牙齿都有恐惧感，更别说这些智力有障碍的孩子。所以我们特别安排游戏、气球等，也请医生装扮像小动物，让他们开心。此外，为了要拉近距离，和他们交谈时，也要用小孩的语气，鼓励、称赞他们，融入他们的世界。未来希望我们能尽自己力量，继续照顾这些孩子的牙齿健康。”邓国荣医师说。
医师的专业看诊加上志工的情绪安抚，慈济团队用心和细心，为的就是希望所有的孩子们拥有健康的牙齿及强健的体魄。也祝福他们不要因为身心障碍而放弃自己，认真面对生命，怀抱自信，勇敢迎向未来。
克服犹豫踏出第一步 慈青活力感染启智学生
【许洈宾/ 新加坡报导】
当言语无法作为沟通的桥梁时，肢体语言就是最佳的表现关怀的方法。
每月固定一次在慈济义诊中心服务的慈青，于9月26日策划了一系列活动，希望陪伴前来义诊中心检查牙齿的启智学生度过愉快的周末。这次活动的慈青窗口施懿芸同学在活动的前两天亲自准备了许多静思语字条、卡通剪纸与图案，作为学生们作画时的材料。
这13位来自新加坡弱智人士福利促进会（MINDs）的学生在父母和义工的陪同下来到义诊中心。让大家印象深刻的，是在吹气球环节时，一名同学天真地亲了慈青张丽妃，以示感谢以及开心。除此之外，另一名新进慈青黄敬权还意外地收到了同学亲手以气球制作的花朵和亲手填色的卡片呢！
◎ 从陌生到熟悉
大部分慈青都是第一次接触启智学生，开始的时候难免会觉得尴尬和害怕，不知道该如何和他们沟通。当司仪呼吁慈青加入小圆桌就近陪伴时，大家还是有点踌躇不前，但是只要踏出了第一步，才发现困难原来只是“踏出第一步之前的感觉”而已。
慈青张丽妃表示刚开始时她也不知道该如何面对启智学生，只能在他们制作卡片时从旁协助他们。慈青们唯有细心观察学习师姑师伯们与同学们的互动，还有感受同学们的双亲对孩子长期关怀与包容。慢慢地，同学就能感受慈青的真诚，然后开始回应，甚至到后来吹气球环节时大家打成一片，最后连慈青摄影志工也忍不住参与其中。
摄影志工周祎超表示：“在互动的时候，虽然不知道同学的内心想法，只能竭尽所能帮助他们。”
另一位新进慈青黄敬权表示，其实他也是觉得和同学们沟通很困难。但是，随着后来培养出默契后，同学就会对志工和慈青产生亲切感。在场的志工鼓励慈青专注于陪伴一名同学，等到该名同学熟悉慈青后，自然地就不会对慈青表现抗拒。敬权也说虽然之前曾学过手语，但已忘记，所以手语环节是让他重新学习手语的机会。
◎ 手语带动打破沟通障碍
这次的手语表演展现了慈青随机应变的能力。由于慈青们在活动开始半个小时前才练习手语，因此还未能完全掌握每个姿势。当《快乐朋友》的音乐响起时，一些慈青拉着同学们的手唱舞，一些慈青和比较害羞的同学一起打节拍，让气氛变得融洽。
就像歌词所描述般“嘿，我们快乐的朋友，手拉着手，我们心连心，一起努力向前行，共创美好的人生……”
慈青张佑平说，同学们有着一颗单纯的心，只要真心对待，对方就能感受到其中诚意。一个握手、一个Hi 5、一个微笑就能拉近距离。他还期待下次有类似活动时，慈青可以在手语带动的时候把手语动作尽量简化，以便能让同学们一起参与。
回顾另一首手语带动歌曲《地球的孩子》，慈青们和启智同学们其实‘都是地球的孩子’，只是‘上天为我们写下不同的故事’。面对着同学们单纯的心，唤醒了慈青们的赤子之心，还有一个大家小时候共同的愿望——没有烦恼快乐成长。
Where Fears Subsides and Smiles Surfaces
Translated by Sim Lit Wee
Tzu Chi Free Clinic (Singapore) has been providing medical services to the poor, the elderly and foreign workers on a regular basis. On 26 September, the clinic welcomed 13 young beneficiaries from The Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) and provided them with dental checks and treatment.
In order to keep the beneficiaries entertained during the long wait, the doctors and volunteers have came prepared with a line-up of magic performances and games, injecting joy and laughter into the atmosphere.
Where fears subsides and smiles surfaces
Dental visits are usually conditioned with fear, an emotion which was also apparent on the beneficiaries’ faces on their bus journey to the Tzu Chi Free Clinic. However, upon arrival at the clinic, the warm welcoming cheers from the volunteers, as well as the adorable and attractive soft toys on the medical team’s hat and scarf gradually drew all their attention away.
The supposing “scary dental visit” was turned into a cheerful playground as the Tzu Chi volunteers occupied the beneficiaries with a line-up of magic shows, colouring activities, card-making, sign-language sign-along and balloon sculpturing. Although the beneficiaries may not have understood the magic tricks, their fidgeting hands may not have allowed them to colour within the lines, nor could they follow the rhythms during the “sign-along” session, they were still very much supported by the volunteers who were generous in giving encouragements.
As the joyful events carried on in the waiting area, efforts for doctors and volunteers in the dental room were also ongoing. It was not easy to get the beneficiaries to cooperate for oral checks. Despite numerous comforting and cajoling, there were times where the volunteers had to keep the beneficiaries still by holding their hands and legs tight or distract them with improvised playthings.
“It is quite a challenge for us. We needed twice as long of the usual time for each session. That’s why we could only schedule for 13 beneficiaries to come today”, said Dr Tang Kok Weng, the dentist coordinator, with a smile.
Great to have your support
“Getting Zi Bin to the dentist is really painstaking. The last time he went to a dentist, he couldn’t even lie still. In the end we had to give him an anesthesia jab to let him sleep throughout the procedure, and let him had seven to eight tooth extraction at one go,” said Zi Bin’s mum Mdm Zheng Ling Feng as she recalled the experience.
Zi Bin’s was still laughing away as the volunteers brought him into the dental room. But the minute he saw the dentist, the change in his facial expression was obvious; the boy started to look uneasy and a sense of distrust started to emerge. It was only after some jokes and persuasion that the teen finally opened his mouth, but he struggled each time when the dental equipments went near him. The scaling procedure was only able to be completed with the help from about six volunteers to hold him still and comfort him.
When she saw Zi Bin walking out of the dental room with smiling and showing off his clean, white teeth, Mdm Zheng was finally relieved.
“It has been almost 10 years since his last dental visit. I can see Zi Bin is very happy today. All thanks to all of you. It’s great to know that there are still such kind hearted people like all of you out there. I really feel very happy and comforted having to receive your love and support,” said Mdm Zheng with tear in her eyes.
Less than perfect, but not alone
With her mother by her side, this is the first in her lifetime Zeng Yun Yun had ever sat on a dental chair. Anxiety was unavoidable.
24-year-old Yun Yun is the third child of Mdm Wu Yu Qin. She was diagnosed with intellectual disability not long after birth. Though upset and disheartened, Mdm Wu soon brought herself to accept the reality and eventually learnt how to tend to Yun Yun.
Although Yun Yun was not born smart, she is a sweet and understanding child, and led an interesting life too. Yun Yun shares a close bond with her mother. Apart from the usual life skill training, her mum also enrolled her for various talent courses. Yun Yun is an expert in bowls. She had even represented the Singapore Bowls Team in the Shanghai Special Olympics Games in 2007.
Born with congenital heart disease, Yun Yun had her first major operation when she was only 13 months old. The doctors advised that Yun Yun has to be extra cautious if she were to see a dentist. The advice stalled Mdm Wu in bringing Yun Yun for a dental check up all these years.
“The doctor told me that she has to take antibiotics before having a dental check up. I just felt it was really troublesome and I was scared, that’s why I did not dare to bring her to a dentist, and I didn’t know what’s her oral condition is like,” Mdm Wu said helplessly.
After a thorough check up, the dentist found out that Yun Yun has two cavities that needs to be extracted. The dental team then spent an hour scaling, applying anesthesia and extracting the two decayed teeth. An appointment was also made for Yun Yun to return for dental visits. Although still drowsy due to the effects of the anesthesia, Yun Yun walked out from her first dental visit in 24 years with gratitude. With the cotton padding still in her mouth, the adorable Yun Yun used her free hands to sign “thank you” to the volunteers.
With her daughter in good hands, Mdm Wu was very grateful and appreciative towards the care given by the dental team. “You guys are unbelievably kind! From the minute we got off the bus, we were greeted welcoming smiles. You not only provided dental services for the kids, but also prepared interesting programmes to keep them occupied and happy! This is really unbelievable! I hope I’ll have the chance to join as a volunteer one day and help others!”
Looking ahead with confidence
The coordinator of MINDS weekend project, Li Huijing, observed the whole dental session and sensed the joy and relief amongst the parents and beneficiaries. “Today’s activity has benefited both our beneficiaries and their parents. The beneficiaries are mostly unable to take care of their oral health. Some of them even face difficulties brushing teeth on their own, and often, they only see the dentist in the event of a toothache.
“While coming to the dentist, it is usually hard to appease their fears. Sometimes even the dentist and their parents can’t do much either. But today, there’s so many volunteers helping around, which was really wonderful! Besides, dental care in Singapore is pretty expensive and most low income family find problems affording these expenses. Tzu Chi Free Clinic has really provided a great help to our beneficiaries.”
Dr Tang Kok Weng said, “Even normal people would fret going to the dentist, let alone these beneficiaries. That’s why we planned games and even asked the dentists to put on some animal toys so that they can be at ease. Also, when conversing with them, we tried to use a more child-like tone and gave them lots of encouragements and praises. Hopefully we could keep tending to the oral needs of these beneficiaries in the near future.”
With the professionalism and compassion of the dental team as well as the Tzu Chi volunteers, it is the hope of all that all of the beneficiaries will have an ideal oral health as well as a fit body. Let us bless them with that and hope that they would brave their future with courage and confidence.
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