My Dental Dreams Came True
To Tell The Whole Tooth
And Nothing but the Tooth
If you’re a long time reader, you’d notice I very rarely smile with my teeth showing. It’s because of a huge bike accident I got into during my vigorous childhood where I’d always be out about rollerblading, climbing up trees, chasing butterflies in the park and playing tumbang preso or patintero with my friends. I came home to my mom that day with blood still dripping from my mouth, busted gums and two fractured teeth.
The memory of going downhill as fast as I could, seeing the hump ahead and suddenly shifting left to avoid it ended with my face on a cemented flower garden – still replays in my head to this day. I can’t count how many times I wished I could’ve gone back to that day and slowed down instead.
What followed was a series of dentists my mom and I went to who tried to remedy the situation but ended up doing more damage than good. One dentist even put braces on me knowing I had this issue – and made matters worse. All in all, I saw a total of 10 dentists from when I was of age 8 to 22. Yes, ten dentists and to this day, I still have such insecurities because no one could really perfect this teeth problem. UNTIL THAT FATEFUL EMAIL.
My Dream Dentist
Let me share with you guys why this means so much to me and why it’s not just another partnership or endorsement. During my desperate days when I felt no dentist could ever solve my teeth issues back then – I’ve searched high and low for the best dentist in town who might be able to resolve all my oral dilemmas. I ended up with the name Dr. Steve Mark Gan. This was back in 2006/2007 when he was still an emerging “celebrity dentist” (he has been a dentist for way longer). I think I heard of him through Boy Abunda first (when they thank their doctors and other sponsors during their shows).
But I never had the chance to go for any consultation because I already knew he may be too costly given our depleted budget then (we’ve already spent so much on the past 7 dentists). I just remember drafting him a letter (in tears!) asking for help because I’ve been in too many embarrassing situations involving my porcelain tooth falling out while I was talking to someone (true story – never thought I’d be sharing this ever). I never had the guts to send it.
Fast forward 10 years, imagine the face of that distressed 17-year-old girl when that same clinic (which is now one of the most-renowned in the country, in Asia and even the world!) emails her and asks to partner up. YOU GUYS. I felt like I won the lottery. Those three words – GAOC Dental Partnership – sent me shriek calling my mom whom I shared half my oral burdens with.
Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center
Top Luxury Dental Clinic in the Philippines
So what makes this dental clinic so special? Founded by world–renowned Oral Surgeon and Dental Implantologist, Dr. Steve Mark Gan, GAOC is considered as one of Asia’s most advanced and world-class dental centers for Dental Implants, Cosmetic Dentistry and General Dentistry procedures. But every great dentist has an even greater story. Dr. Gan started out in his grandmother’s small clinic in Binondo where he used up all $3,266 of his life savings to buy second-hand dental equipment.
From one general cleaning – he was able to buy supplies to do pasta fillings. He continued to reinvest his income in more dental supplies and worked 24/7 to build up his clientele – most of which at that time were Chinese. He dreamed bigger and aimed higher throughout the years – wanting to elevate the Philippine dental implant game and take it to new heights. As his income grew, so did his equipment, his clinics, his services. He brought in state-of-the-art tools and equipment – way ahead of any dentist or dental clinic in the country then.
At the moment, he is pioneering dental tourism in the Philippines. This is because in other countries, the cost of getting just a filling is almost equivalent to getting braces here in the Philippines. GAOC dental tourism aims to offer top quality services, surgeries and other treatments with a keen adherence to global quality standards at a fraction of the cost offered by most modern clinics in the US, Europe, Australia and other nearby Asian countries.
First Session
During your first visit, they start off with a whole mouth X-ray so the dentist-in-charge would be able to properly assess what needs to be done. Turns out, I had more problems I didn’t even know of. I had to get three fillings because I’ve had past fillings already leaking. Yoikes. Also, the x-ray process was instantaneous. After everything, it was immediately transferred and shown on the TV in the room I was assigned for that session. Talk about high tech. In my “veteran” years of going to dentists, I’ve never experienced instant x-rays. I was briefed on my general oral health and what I needed done in what order. I also had my first filling during that day.
THE ROOMS ARE SO PRISTINE THAT YOU COULD INSTANTLY FEEL EVERYTHING IS STERILE.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS – YOU GET TO CHOOSE A MOVIE TO WATCH DURING YOUR SESSION! TALK ABOUT ULTIMATE DISTRACTION FROM THE DRILLING SOUNDS. THEY EVEN HAVE THE LATEST MOVIES ON THEIR SELECTION – BOTH ENGLISH AND TAGALOG.
GUESS WHICH MOVIE I WATCHED FOR THAT DAY!
THEY TAKE FULL PHOTOS OF YOUR TEETH BEFORE YOUR FIRST SESSION SO THEY CAN FURTHER STUDY YOUR TEETH AND SEE WHAT IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE MADE.
Luxury Dental Experience
I’ve gone to their Greenbelt and St. Luke’s Medical City Fort branches with different dentists attending to me depending on availability – and I’ve to say that I equally felt comfortable in each doctor’s hands. I used to dread going to the dentist but now, I actually look forward to each visit because it doesn’t feel like going to the dentist at all. It feels more like going to a spa, to be honest.
GAOC makes you feel so much at home from the receptionists to the nurses to the dentists. Add to that the topnotch quality of services, highly-trained dentists and state-of-the-art equipment that you get for the price you pay. I certainly say that they are well worth the extra bucks. Had we known this was the case 10 years ago, we would never have gone to any other dentist at all. Money-wise, it would have cost us the same if we went to GAOC in the first place than hopping from one dentist to another because we were never fully satisfied.
At the moment, I’m doing a restoration job with the GAOC team so stay tuned for my next entry – it’ll show quite a massive difference to how my teeth is now to how it will be after. I can’t wait to show everyone the final results. Disclaimer: I’m a digital brand influencer for the clinic. I am not paid nor compensated but I do get my services free of charge. Rest assured all thoughts and experiences are as raw and accurate as they are.
You may find/contact GAOC in the following branches:
Medical Plaza, Makati (02) 843 4262
The Residences, Greenbelt Building (02) 940-9920
St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City (02) 789-7700
Robinsons Magnolia (02) 625-4262
Trinoma Mall (02) 901-0720
