You know that pleasure of seeing someone again after not having seen them for several years? That happens to me often…
A few days ago, I had a former patient return to my practice; she hadn't been to see me for 12 years. A strong woman, with enormous professional success. Beyond her fear of the dentist (who doesn't have one?...), her professional life took her to various countries over the years and she required dental treatment in places as diverse as Barcelona, Italy, Greece, Egypt, amongst others.
He remedied the situations.
Now that you feel you have a serious problem and need a trusted solution for dental implants, you've come “home”. To those with whom you feel can give you the help and support you need at this vulnerable moment.
And you will have it! Because that is the most important part of what we do in our day-to-day... Truly looking after people.
Over my 21 years of clinical practice, I have seen many such cases. People who “disappear” for years on end, for various reasons, whether because they moved house, sought cheaper alternatives, went to clinics with agreements with their health insurance, or simply neglected to attend or thought they had no problem and therefore didn't need to come for consultations, etc.
I don't judge anyone. Everyone knows their own life.
What's funny, and in reality gives me a certain “thrill”, is realising that when people genuinely feel they have a serious problem, they go back to Dr. Pedro...
Who solved their problems in the past. Who looked at them as people and not as cash in hand.
Who do they trust…
And it brings me joy to see that the best dental treatments you usually have (and the ones that still last...) are the ones I did 10, 15 or more years ago...
Because the best measure of the quality of my work is Time…
In the short term, anything works. Done well or done badly, everything works. But in the long term, it's another story...
That's why I enjoy seeing my long-term patients so much. Not only because we build a relationship and lives change over 20 years (how many patients remember the birth of Constança, my first daughter… and she's now 12 and I have another 2…) and it's nice to follow the evolution of people's lives.
But also for some selfish reasons…
To see the durability and quality of the work that I so enjoy doing daily.
To feel pleasure at realising that, even so many years ago, when I knew far less than I do today, I always endeavoured to do things well.
Receiving the recognition and trust of people, often entire families, for so many years.
It's the most beautiful part of what I do every day… and I will continue to do so with great pleasure!
See you soon!
