An Economic Option
Raymund Mortel Gedang, DMD and his wife Katherine N. Gedang, DMD first met in dental school. They have been partners in their dental practice in downtown Antipolo, since the early 1990s. Antipolo is a 1st Class city adjoining Manila, capital of the province of Rizal, Philippines.
[1] Facts about Antipolo
Today in semi-retirement Drs. Gedang practice in a modest modern clinic in their home.
Dr. Raymund Gedang greeted me at the gate of his home and business to interview for this story, which he approved before posting.
Dr. Gedang saved a tooth from this writer’s mouth–which other dentists might have extracted–for the very reasonable price of about $40 USD, including x-rays.
When you came to me, I think you expected to have that tooth extracted but extraction is the last resort in modern dentistry, chided Gedang. Before, in old school dentistry they just pull–dental extraction- -then prosthesis. We are considered the new generation of dentists, my generation, where we try to save every tooth possible.
When I was young It’s so hard to find an old person with their teeth all good. I saw so many people missing so many teeth. That is one of the reasons why I took up dentistry–to practice modern dentistry. During that time, the 60s, 70s, so much was changing but even today some of the old dentists here in the Philippines still do the old way. I am proud to say that the new generation of dentists here are well-versed in modern dental practices.
Over 60 years in Alaska I have known the high cost of in-state medical care, particularly dental care, which usually requires separate insurance coverage. I have also heard of Alaskans traveling out of country and paying for a nice vacation for the price of certain Alaska health care procedures. In fact, many medical professionals including nurses and doctors around the world were trained in quality Philippines training centers. Some of these newly trained doctors migrate to USA to practice, as has happened with relatives of Dr. Gedang, whose family has deep ties here in Antipolo.
Antipolo is a city East of Manila with a population of 887,399 (2020 census).
I had an uncle who graduated from a dental school here in the Philippines, continued Gedang, but he practiced his entire career in Simi Valley, California, beginning around 1974. He was my idol–the youngest brother, of my father. My father was a lawyer. He died in 1994. My uncle died in 2016.
[2] Postcard #30 National Museum Video
I took up dentistry after preparatory courses at Centro Escolar University, located adjacent to Malacañang Palace, where the President of the Philippines resides, said Gedang. The Supreme Court is also in Manila while the legislative branch is located in two separate locations: the House of Representatives in Quezon City and the Senate in Pasay.
For orientation: Manila is the capital city of the Philippines and is located in Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The City of Manila is the central local government unit of Metro Manila, occupying less than 10% of the Metro’s land area and contains only 14% of the Metro’s population (Metro=1,846,513 people, 2020 census). The major airport for Philippines is located here with connecting flights available from Anchorage, AK.
City of Manila
Metro Manila was designated as the seat of government on June 24, 1976, by Presidential Decree no. 940 of President Ferdinand Marcos. As the National Capital Region of the Philippines, Manila is rich in history and culture, comprising the central city and sixteen local government units surrounding it: Caloocan, , Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig and Valenzuela.
I had to ask: So you were really in the thick of the Philippine culture and everything going on there at Malacañang Palace during the Marcos dictatorship? You were here during EDSA?
Yes, oh, yeah, the transition time between the Marcos regime and Cory Aquino regime was very exciting! I was there and saw it all, said Gedang. We have been hoping that what started with People Power! would be continued even today by Marcos Jr. but it doesn’t look like it has. It’s very sad to see what’s going on right now–there’s a lot of conflict between Bongbong (Marcos Jr.) and his vice-president Sara Duterte, who is the reason why he was elected!
Last October Pres. Marcos determined EDSA would not this year be commemorated as in the past, recognizing removal of his father as dictator of Philippines through a People Power! Uprising..
We know now EDSA was born out of a failed military coup d’état attempt at a time when Philippines was a political tinderbox. As poorly as the military had treated the people during the time of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., when The People suddenly galvanized and rose up, the scheming generals had to get onto the People Power train or cause a massacre of innocent Filipino people in the impending wreck.
[3] Philippine People Power! DONN LISTON, February 21, 2023
Our clinic was in front of Antipolo Cathedral next to the City Hall. Our family owns a property there, which we remodeled into commercial spaces. I took one of those spaces and built the business there with my wife as a team since 1992, explained Gedang. My great grandfather was a previous Antipolo mayor; his name was Francisco Dimanlig. His youngest daughter was my paternal grandmother.
Gedang is licensed in General dentistry with preceptorship in orthodontics: I can install braces in limited cases, not in severe cases. We do not treat child patients; I refer them to a pediatric specialist so the children may have a pleasant dental experience. I refer to other qualified dentists for treatments requiring specialty training. For example, if a patient comes to me and their tooth is due for root canal treatment, I will refer to my colleague that specializes in endodontics.
Gedang has long been active in promoting professionalism in Philippine dentistry through the Antipolo City Chapter of the Philippine Dental Association, of which he is a co-founder. Prices for dental procedures are published. Readers may use a php-to-usd utility to easily discover cost in dollars for dental procedures in Philippines.
[4] Price List for various Dental Procedures (in References).
A Favorite Place in Antipolo: Pinto Museum
[5] Pinto Museum website
The Covid Pandemic caused Gedang to quit practicing in downtown Antipolo. He is a diabetic and his daughter insisted that he should not continue the exposure there. Once his equipment was moved into storage at his home, Gedang was able to have his contractor son-in law set up his business in the present professional setting. He is very conscious of health issues and required me to wear protective clothing in his sanitized clinic for this interview.
Gedang explained It took a couple of years after closing his clinic to be back in business, but he and Katherine are happy to have made the transition.
Magnificent view from our Antipolo subdivision toward Laguna.
[6] Good Living in Philippines! DONN LISTON November 4, 2023
I chided him back:
And now you have a mission in life! You’re still doing dentistry. You’re healthy and you’re staying fit, and you have a network of friends. I see you riding your bike with other people from around the neighborhood, keeping in shape with other senior neighbors.
June 12, 2024 CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City–President Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his solidarity with the Filipino people in commemorating the historic event, highlighting the enduring legacy of the proclamation of Philippine independence in Kawit, Cavite, 126 years ago. He commended the unwavering nationalism of Filipinos and urged dedication to building a progressive and independent nation.
[7] Happy Bonifacio Day! DONN LISTON December 1, 2023
Yes, I have a lot of patients here in this subdivision, too. They don’t have to drive to town anymore to seek dental services because they have a dental clinic next door. My old patients from my old clinic in down town Antipolo find me through my facebook page!
Check out Facebook photos of IBNG Dental Before-and-After proof of success!
https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=ibng%20dental%20clinic
I am personally thankful for this neighbor.
References:
[1] Facts about Antipolo
[2] National Museum Video
[3] Philippine People Power! DONN LISTON February 21, 2023
https://open.substack.com/pub/donnliston907/p/philippine-people-power-24f?r=q57oe&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Tagalog: https://donnliston907.substack.com/p/philippine-people-power-24f
[4] Price List for various Dental Procedures.
[5] Pinto Museum website
[6] Good Living in Philippines! DONN LISTON November 4, 2023
https://open.substack.com/pub/donnliston907/p/good-living-in-philippines?r=q57oe&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
[5] Happy Bonifacio Day! DONN LISTON December 1, 2023
https://donnliston907.substack.com/p/happy-bonifacio-day
Tagalog: Maligayang Araw ng Bonifacio!
If you liked this story, or know someone who might benefit from the information here, please send them this link: https://listondonn.ph/dentistry-in-philippines/
Contact for appointment here: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=ibng%20dental%20clinic
