The famous story of a tooth fairy is always mythical. They are living in the world of folklore where they would roam around at night to gather teeth of children. But just like how distinct the fairies are, not all fairies wing away to send magic, some are in an office to cast spell and do that magic in one’s teeth- like the job of a dentist.
Envisioning an effective, efficient, and economical dental service to school populace, the university dental officer of Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), Dr. Joel A. Torres toils like a tooth fairy, as he does his duty in grinding for a good grin of his clients every day.
Dr. Torres has been a dentist for 43 years and practiced his profession in the university for over 9 years. It has been that long of quality dental health service for the students and faculty, but he remained unpopular of his duty due to a circumstance he called “unseen” management.
According to Dr. Torres, EVSU community seems to give less attention of their oral health, so to speak, unaware of the presence of dental clinic in the university. Anent to this, his office has not been recognized in the university for a long time.
“Wala pa jud narecognize, amo balitaw gipakuan nako sa Industrial Wheel para marecognize ang among services, for the students to know gihapon (Still unrecognized, that is why I seek the attention from the Industrial Wheel to have the chance of our services to get recognized and for the students to know as well.),” Dr. Torres asserted.
Subsequently, a student from Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA), Jessrael Abaño commented that he is not aware that there are dental services offered in the university until his recent discovery on this academic year. He also stated that he was delighted of the news.
“I was not aware that there are free dental services in EVSU, I just know it recently as I started my OJT and heard it from my fellow interns, but I’m really happy about what I have learned, it’s a big help once availed,” Abaño said.
But just like a tooth fairy who secretly serves the children in their dreams while mystically taking their aching tooth away, the university dental officer continuously prioritizes his duty amongst other events and activities in the university.
“I can hardly go with the EVSU activities other than dental services because every day I have to attend to scheduled services,” Dr. Torres added.
While upholding with his oath in the practice of his profession, Dr. Torres remained true to the mission and vision of their office, regardless of anonymity in the community. He continued giving off the brightness in smiles of his clients, and blistering pixie dust in the lives of the students and faculty as their smiles shine confidently after receiving dental services for free.
“Okay ra. Basta mutrabaho lang ko as a dentist, makabulig ko’s mga estudyante ug faculty (It’s okay. I will just continue working as a dentist, to help the students and the faculty.),” Dr. Torres appended.
Whether fairies existed in dreams or reality, there always comes a magical story of someone who passionately serves for the benefit of others. They come with varied forms and identities, but for the dental officer of the university, he is more than just a tooth fairy for his commitment deserves to be recognized as a striking employee of Eastern Visayas State University.
Article by Meraflor Pecore