Hiren Pandya
(Ex Vice Chancellor, South Gujarat University)
Dear Dr Soham Dholakia,
Now that my dental treatment is successfully completed, it is time to say a word of appreciation and gratitude to you.
I had lost all my teeth, saved 2 in the lower jaw. For several years I tried to manage with dentures, but since my tolerence for dentures was very low, I started toying with the idea of getting whole mouth reconstruction done. By way of due diligence, I consulted several eminent dental implantologists in Gujarat and outside in the country. However, perhaps because of my age (74 years) and also because of the seemingly invasive nature of the procedure involved in the treatment, I was finding it difficult to take a decision. Then, my younger brother Gopal Pandya, who knew you, suggested that I may meet you and fixed an appointment with you on my behalf. I met you, we discussed about the treatment for a considerable length of time, you answered all my queries and allayed all my fears. Thus I decided to go in for the treatment, which invoved putting 8 implants in the upper jaw, 8 implants in the lower jaw and the lifting of the Sinus.
When the treament was to begin, you offered me the options of getting the implants put in 1, 2 or even 4 sittings. I said it all depends on how comfortable or uncomfortable I feel on your chair during the procedure. So, we began at 10:00 AM and when the entire procedure was completed it was 02:30 PM. During this period of nearly 5 hours, I did not experience much pain or discomfort. Even during the rest of the day or the following night I did not have any pain or discomfort. This is a testimony to your hugely skillful but nimble hand.
You took care to ensure that I did not have trouble in food-intake during the period given to the implants to get integrated with the jaw-bones, by making suitable arrangement in my mouth.
During the last 1 sitting, you were worried that certain exposed abutments might hurt their surroundings in the mouth; I told you not to worry as I would be careful. And, your immediate response was - "I have to worry". This says a lot.
I was impressed by your professional commitment, care and concern for your patients.
And, the gracious and warmly pleasant presence of Dr Archana Dholakia, your partner in life and work, in the clinic, contributed in no mean measure in my being at ease during the procedure.
Thank you so much and all the best.
Regards,
Hiren Pandya