The article was published in the Health section of the Szabad Föld newspaper...

I was born to be a dentist

Shamim Nikkhah came from Iran to Hungary 11 years ago in order to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a dentist. He was born in Tehran, the multicultural capital of Iran, whose population is larger than the whole of Hungary. His father, in addition to studying international economics and chemistry in the USA, also became a soccer star. He met his future wife, who was accepted to dental school but went on to become a computer engineer, when he returned home to visit his family.

My parents raised me very strictly, as I was the first child, my sister was born seven years later, says Shamim, while carefully examining my teeth from salt in the clinic. I started my studies early, when I was three years old, I attended private English lessons, learned to play the piano, play tennis, and paint. My family is warm-hearted, we are very close to each other, as shown by the fact that they once surprised me with a birthday party in a video call to say hello.

Shamim has always wanted to be independent and live in another country, just like his father did when he was young. He had been preparing to become a dentist since he was a small child, but when he thought about further education, he always thought of an English-speaking country. Hungary was her mother's idea, she looked into European universities. That's how he found Semmelweis, as one of the highest-ranking higher education institutions, where education is also conducted in English, and moreover, here you can get a degree sooner than in America or Canada.

Although it was a family decision to come to Hungary, it is my own choice to stay here. The country has grown close to my heart, I really feel at home. Of course, there are differences compared to Iran, for example, there is much more freedom here, especially when it comes to the status of women. In Iran, we still have to wear the hijab, and even though women are fighting for their basic human rights, change is still difficult. But let me mention another cultural difference: blowing your nose is not allowed in public places here, but it is accepted here. I really like Hungarian cuisine, my friends, my colleagues, the culture and the landscapes, and Budapest is a lively, vibrant place. No matter what kind of day I have, a walk along the Danube or on the bridges always makes me happy.

In the beginning, Shamim's everyday life was made difficult by the language difference, and even though the training at the university was conducted in English and he passed the exams that way, after obtaining his diploma, he realized that it would be impossible to work as a dentist in Hungary without Hungarian language skills. I had a Hungarian teacher who taught me to speak in three months. And in recent years, I always learn something new.

Shamim strengthens the Smile Desig team in Budapest, but he also works a day and a half at the Nyiregyháza clinic. He really likes the team and the work in both places.

I was born a dentist, I can't imagine pursuing any other profession. Of course, besides work, I like to try and learn new things. I train four times a week. I play tennis, play the piano, and I also enjoy reading. It is very important to always be up-to-date in my profession, because technology is constantly changing, new materials are always coming. Of course, I take time for myself, I also talk to my family every night. I miss all of them very much, and also my grandmother's cooking. Shamim wants to keep up with developments so that he can always provide the best for his patients and that no one is afraid to visit the dentist. He plans to volunteer in the future to help those who live in developing countries where they do not receive adequate dental care.

And how do you see the oral hygiene of Hungarians? Many of his patients have never had tartar removal before, which is the most basic dental treatment. And more than one learns in the doctor's office that there is life beyond the toothbrush, so it is there that he learns about dental floss or the correct use of an electric toothbrush and interdental cleaner.

Examining the adult population of Hungary, according to statistical data, only one-third of them regularly go for dental check-ups, the rest visit the clinic only in case of complaints. That is why they often come under the care of the dentist too late, who in certain cases does not have the opportunity to fill or treat the root, but only to remove the tooth.

According to experts, it is worth going to a screening test every year or every six months, but there are diseases that require more frequent or even lifelong care.

Boglár Boglárka