Is it just me or is everybody who takes the MRT feeling that the trains are getting more crowded since cab fares have gone through the roof? I really feel sorry for our taxi uncles. The media keeps reporting that they are earning more while all we see are the long taxi queues (no passengers) outside Lucky Plaza and Paragon. How do we deal with this problem? Hey, since means testing is the hot topic now, why not do means testing for people taking the MRT? Sorry, your income is too high. You cannot take bus or MRT. Go take a taxi. Blacklist their EZlink cards. Make them go toot toot when they try to board a bus. Let the gates at MRT stations refuse to open for them. That will certainly ease the crowd at MRT stations that we see now.
An interesting patient called up to ask about a bridge on his upper anterior. He told me over the phone that he had 2 missing teeth, was wearing a denture and suddenly decided to do a bridge – a week before he departs for an overseas assignment that will keep him away for 6 months. Seeing the urgency of this case, I got everything prepared for the patient when he arrived. I would cut the bridge, take the impressions and fit the temporaries in 1 hour, get the lab to collect the case immediately after that and have the case issued before the patient leaves for his overaseas assignment.
When he arrived, I felt obliged to offer him PFM and full ceramic. Once we’ve cemented the bridge, it would be a waste of time and money to replace it. He had to decide if aesthetics were paramount. If so, it would be better for him to do an emax bridge once and for all. But the cost frightened him. He wanted to “make a call” and disappeared without paying consultation.
Hmm … should I have just cut a PFM for him and not bother to give him a more attractive (expensive) option? What about testing the means for these patients too? After all, this patient claimed that this was going to be his first job and he had no money. Really? I’m sure Mr Khaw an provide us with more reliable info on the patient’s actual financial background (this guy lives on a piece of landed property). Your income too high, you cannot do dentures. Cannot even do PFM with non-precious metals … That will be the day.
Dewdrop Notes
Dr Chan's Kitchen