The coastal city of Cochin, India, is known for its fishing industry—and, as it turns out, at least one excellent dentist.
By Moses H., 9-time traveler from Astoria, NY
Back in October or November, I finally booked the O.A.T. Soul of India adventure, having wanting to do that for some years—and I was looking forward to it in April as a self-indulgent 65th birthday present.
In February, my tooth broke off in a random act of chewing. Evidently it had weakened during a prolonged disintegrating process from the inside, according to a local dentist who wanted 3 G’s to replace it. I was resigned to just having a gap and leaving it at that.
Then it occurred to me that I would be going to India in April and should check with dentists there.
First I contacted O.A.T. and asked about viability of changing flight plans, etc. if I made a dental appointment at the end of my tour, once it was determined how long the work would take. I was told there was still time to change the flight plan but I would have to do it soon before the deadline elapsed in a week or so.
The last stop of the tour was Cochin (Kochi), so I sent an X-ray with explanation to a local dentist who came up when I Googled "dentists, Cochin." He responded that the work could be done in a few days but that I should have the useless remaining portion of the sheared tooth extracted immediately and also should go ahead and book a room to extend my stay and change my flight plan—and so I did all that.
A few days later I was contacted by Anuja, my O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader, with a welcoming introductory email as part of the standard upcoming trip orientation.
I wrote back to inform her of my change in plans at the end of the tour. She wrote back to mention that she had lived in Cochin with her family and attended school there, and was specifically familiar with everything I had mentioned—and that, get this, her dentist, Dr. Abraham, had been the one I had chosen.
The subsequent dental work went very well and I now have a three-part zirconium bridge (where there would have been a gap) for an estimated 1/4-1/3 of what it would have cost me here where I live. Dr. Abraham was well spoken with an accommodating staff and I would gladly recommend his services to anyone in need of dental work for good value.
Cochin was a relaxing place to spend an extra week, mainly passing time sitting in the park on the Malabar coast watching the fishermen, and working on my pictures from the past two weeks of the trip. I even relaxed my fairly rigid apostasy and attended services on Sunday morning at nearby historic St. Francis Church. There were several restaurants and cafes in the area for inexpensive meals and dining. I am pleased to report that during the entire trip I did not get sick once.
It should be noted that the distance from Cochin to the airport is about an hour. I scheduled a ride with a tourist taxi service a few days ahead of departure and my flight home to JFK proceeded without a hitch.
Explore Cochin—with or without the pleasure of dental work—when you join O.A.T. for Soul of India: The Colorful South.
