A Chocolate Bar, a Tooth, and 18 Days of Fatherhood

A few weeks ago, on a Saturday evening, my wife Lena and I were returning from another trip exploring British estates. The day was beautiful, our mood was great, and we decided to have a snack. Luckily, I had a protein bar in my backpack – the one "just in case."

We happily shared it, and then suddenly Lena stopped:
"I think my tooth has cracked," she said.

No one expected this turn of events. Especially not me, since just a couple of months ago, I had canceled our dental insurance: "Why pay if we're not using it?" I thought at the time. As they say, classic.

Immediately, I remembered my dental trip to Serbia in 2023. Without hesitation, I contacted the same dentist – and, to our luck, Lena was able to get an appointment within a couple of days.

But then came the logistics. I couldn't take time off work, and Lena couldn't bring our daughter – someone needed to look after her during the appointments. This marked the beginning of my fatherhood challenge: over two weeks of working remotely, combined with 24/7 "dad time." Games, walks, stories, cartoons, dancing, tantrums, hugs, and endless "whys" – all of this became part of my workday.

Meanwhile, Lena was in Serbia undergoing an intensive smile restoration program. Over 18 days, she had around 20 visits to the doctor, treatment for eight teeth, saving the cracked tooth with a crown, and root canal treatment on another.

In England, I estimate that all of this would have taken 3 to 6 months and cost around £5000. Instead, it cost £1200 for everything: flights, treatment, and even a little bit of relaxation. A huge thank you to our friends in Serbia, who hosted Lena during the entire time.

But this story is not just about saving money. It's also about how a cracked tooth unexpectedly gave me 18 days of real, deep connection with my daughter. During that time, I came to understand her personality, her desires, and even her sense of humor much better.
Sometimes, all it takes to get closer is just one small chocolate bar... and the crack it leaves behind.

If you've ever considered a dental trip to Serbia and are looking for a reliable dentist, feel free to reach out – I'll gladly share the contact information.

#life #travel