The time after World War II was difficult for Poles in many respects. Poles faced deficiencies in many fields. One of the more serious problems was the shortage of health centers and doctors in various fields, including dentists. It was then decided to create mobile offices equipped with basic equipment and sent to villages and small towns to give residents access to specialists.
The Polish countryside was in a deplorable condition after the war. Poverty, lack of knowledge and lack of minimal hygiene
In the interview conducted by Wirtualna Polska’s journalist with Aleksandra Kozłowska, author of the book “Ambulans goes to the countryside. In the footsteps of wandering teeth”, many interesting facts were mentioned that arouse the imagination and send shivers down the body. The author’s mother has experience, “as a young girl, just after college, for five years she drove a dental ambulance around Masurian villages and treated people’s teeth. And for a long time, for me these stories were a bit like fairy tales, distant, a bit mythical,” explains Aleksandra.
Many village residents had contact with any health service for the first time
If a family had a toothbrush, it was most often shared by the entire family. For toothache, use vodka, sage gargle or pray to Saint Apollonia. The local blacksmith was responsible for breaking teeth, and tooth decay wreaked havoc on most of Polish society. Doctors were usually young people, often women – often the inhabitants of villages and other towns were unable to trust them at first. They wondered whether such people could do anything at all and whether they would hurt someone. They had to show great empathy so as not to offend anyone and make people trust them. Many patients preferred tooth extraction rather than treatment. They were afraid of even greater pain and the healing process itself. Sometimes it was the only option anyway, the teeth were in such poor condition that no treatment would help them. History comes full circle, today more and more adults and children complain about dental problems. Doctors warn that more and more children suffer from dental caries every year, and parents do not necessarily want to visit their offices regularly.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
