My dentist is retiring!
Changing dentists, for first time...
In New Zealand—in my day at least—School Dental services looked after your dental health until you went to High School. From age 13 you went to private dentists paid for by the state until you turned 18, then it was up to you to manage and fund for your own care.
According to their records, then 13-year-old, Robin first visited Anthony (Tony) Wong at what is now Opal Dental, Te Atatu Peninsular in April 1979. Since then, apart from one out of schedule appointment, I have been seeing him, mostly annually, for all my dental care.
The same practice, the same person, for 47 years and 6 months.
The out of schedule appointment coincided with a short time when Tony was a sole practitioner and referring clients to another practice while he was away. I was not due for a regular check but needed a recent dental sign-off to activate travel insurance for a Himalayan Cycle Ride.
In additional to general health, it was to check for anything that might cause Barodontalgia, or "tooth squeeze", conditions. This occurs when trapped air inside dental fillings or cavities expands due to changes in pressure. This expansion can lead to discomfort or pain during flights or while ascending to higher elevations.
I was a bit nervous for that appointment, imagine if they'd found a no-go but my teeth, all Tony's work, were fine!
After decades of superb service, both in Te Atatu and far afield (see profile below) Tony is off to a much-deserved retirement and I wish him well. I'll still be going to the same practice but will have a new dentist.
Tony, thanks for all your care, for the travel stories mutually shared, and enjoy your retirement!
Profile from the Healthpoint site: Dr Anthony Wong is a New Zealand-born Chinese dentist who graduated from the University of Otago Dental School in 1975. He began his career in Te Atatū Peninsula and has been proudly serving the local community for over 40 years. Known for his wealth of experience and commitment to quality, Dr Wong undertakes regular professional development to stay current with the latest dental techniques. His high standards, attention to detail, and caring approach have earned him a loyal patient base. Dr Wong is also passionate about giving back. In the past decade, he has spent his Christmas breaks volunteering in rural communities across Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos—providing free dental care and mentoring local students. Between 2013 and 2016, he also lectured trainee dental nurses at Dili University in East Timor, supporting the “One-2-One Charitable Trust.” Dr Wong deep seated passion for providing dental is reflected his deep dedication to making a difference both locally and globally.
