A dentist offering dental home visit and oral healthcare for underprivileged group in the countryside
As a dentist, Dr. Wang Jun-Kai locates his clinic in the countryside, offering dental home visit for those patient with special needs who cannot reach out the dental clinics. Where there is a patient, there is a doctor– which is the principle he abides by.
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Wang take the volunteer as his lifelong job
For the past 16 years, Dr. Wang has looked after lots of patients with his professions and this is something he enjoys a lot. Back to year 2011, his senior alumnus led him into the business of dental home visit. They offered the services together for those patients with special needs. Most people don’t appreciate how these two dentists chose hard-working dental home visit in the small town rather than making big money somewhere else.
Facing the skeptical voices aroused, Dr. Wang was confused at first but his seniors said something to comfort him - “this is the job no one wants it from you.” The words were somewhat ironic but implied meanings and values beyond expression. Both doctors kept a simple thought they are going to do the right and good thing unceasingly.
Unfortunately, Dr. Wang’s senior died 3 years after by accident and Dr. Wang had to take over all the work. Dr. Wang started to devote himself in the education and free medical services of Special Education Schools and Nursing Facilities. He recalled, “In the beginning, I was at a loss as to some of the new cases. I have no knowledge of their dwellings and transportations at all. I managed to reach the new patients and it really took me lots of time and efforts, let alone the difficulties I have been through. I finally realized some of the address are not in sequential numbers in Chiayi, Taiwan.”
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Wang is patiently doing his service during the diagnosis
Besides trying to blend in with the community, Dr. Wang learns a lot from his patients because they have showed him what “nothing lasts forever” is. There was one senior citizen with dementia confiding to bed by ill for a long time really made great impression to him. This senior was found by one of his family members that his cheek was bitten by a mouse. The family member suspected his poor oral hygiene causing the bad smell from the mouth and lured the mouse to come. Upon calling, Dr. Wang rushed to clean the patient’s teeth and do proper oral health care at once. Afterwards, he continued to heal this patient with 2 ~3 treatments. One week ago, the family member called to inform Dr. Wang the patient has died and she is greatly appreciated for his assistance and all the hard work he has made.
During his dental practice, Dr. Wang notices people in good condition reaching dental clinic is a piece of cake, but for those with special needs is quite troublesome. Therefore, a doctor who is willing to offer dental home visit and oral healthcare is no doubt a blessing for the patients. Besides taking care of patients’ teeth, Dr. Wang has also been a good listener of their pains and frustrations. Dr. Wang said, “When you devote your time to heal the people with special needs, you will know the mindset of the patients and caregivers, and realize the difficulties they are going through are way beyond our imagination.”
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He is willing to go further with his volunteer dental service
Every patient has his own family story. Dr. Wang thinks the doctor can only provide the help for a period of time, whereas the family caregivers devote their lifetime. He has been touched by the caregivers who have taken their duties seriously. Dr. Wang said with humble, “I am just a dentist and I only do what I need to do. I am nothing special.” However, it will benefit the underprivileged group if what Dr. Wang has done attracts more dentists to join him. After more than a decade of dental practice, Dr. Wang still walks on the path of free medical service and dental home visit to people with special needs, and everything happened along the road makes him more content and self-assured.
