A few of the many things that make biking in the Netherlands so enjoyable;

There are continuous paved cycle paths the entire distance to any destination (my friends and I even took a bike trip to Belgium and we had our own “cycle highway” the entire way).

Bike traffic flows like a beautiful river.

Bike road rage does not exist – even in my first week when I was just getting accustomed to it and probably breaking all the “rules”, people didn’t blink twice and just gracefully swerved around me. Cars were completely aware and respectful of cyclists.

It was easy (and cheap) to have a bike; I rented a beautiful red cruiser for 12 euro a month through Swapfiets; a business model I cant sing high enough praise for; free repairs within 12 hours, or a replacement bicycle if it is stolen. For only 12 euros a month!! You won’t go far in Holland without spotting the iconic blue tire of a Swapfiets bike.  

I reflect fondly on these safer days as I risk my life on Victoria streets riddled with construction this summer. However, props to our municipal governments for putting a strategy in place to get more people out on bikes. Building bike lanes is more difficult as an afterthought so we just need to weather these growing pains! We can only hope that maybe one day, Victoria will be as bike friendly as the Netherlands.

After visiting San Pancho I know now that this isn’t the case for most people, especially in developing countries, many of which have never had access to care, let alone any sort of education related to dental care. We are so privileged in Canada with the latest and greatest equipment, with reclining patient chairs, and sanitized clean, sharp instruments, and as silly as it sounds padded and comfortable operator chairs. Therefore, after having spent two weeks in San Pancho and having no available dental clinics to work in, our only means of providing care was in the local community center where we transformed the cement gymnasium into a makeshift clinic. We used foldable beach chairs as client chairs, and children’s beach stools as operator chairs, we had no lights and no proper equipment to work with, but regardless it was the most satisfying experience I have ever partaken in. 

Regardless of the challenging situation and far from perfect environment we were working in, what made the backbreaking work so worth it was the smiles we saw after each two hour appointment. Despite the pain and discomfort that each and every client experienced, not one ever complained, but rather each client we saw thanked us for what we were able to provide, and for the education they had ever been given before. The clients were significantly more difficult than the clients we practice upon here in Canada, and it was rewarding to see the changed that we could make for them in such a short duration of time. 

To be honest, I was nervous going into this.  I thought I was going to be exhausted and beat-up after the clinical days, but it was the exact opposite, I was ready to keep working after each session! Not only was it rewarding, this experience showed me what I am capable of and I feel more confident going into the senior year of dental hygiene.

Many of our clients were local natives of San Pancho, many of which were born and bread in the beautiful beach town. Each person we met was beyond welcoming, and they were all so appreciative and grateful of our presence within their beautiful town. We walked the streets and often heard the children holler “hola dentistas,” while running up next to us waving. It was beyond humbling to see just how happy they were when they saw us, and it is so special knowing that in a short two-week trip we were able to have such a positive impact on the community and the people within. 

We had the opportunity to partake in many of the local events such as the live music, live dance, and my personal favourite the circus. It was so riveting watching the local artists perform in the streets and entertain the visiting tourists. Let’s just say it was never a dull moment, and whether it was the local venders, or the local street dancers, San Pancho was always exuding fun and excitement.