Dr Friedman retires at 87
"I have been in practice for 63 years and I am the oldest when it comes to practising dentistry in South Africa,” he said.
The dentist he used to see when he was growing up inspired him to specialise in teeth and dentures – something he has done for the past 63 years.
Dr Arnold Mervyn Friedman’s name is synonymous with the South, where he has assisted many with dentures and implants.
At the age of 87, he has decided that it is time to retire.
“I studied at the University of the Witwatersrand and qualified to become a dentist at the age of 23. I have been in practice for 63 years and I am the oldest when it comes to practising dentistry in South Africa,” he said.
He has been based in Glenanda for the past six years. Before moving there, his practice started in Rosettenville and then moved to La Rochelle.
His son, who is a cardiologist in America, forced him to retire because of his age.
“He said I am vulnerable to the pandemic and the fact that I am working closely with people makes me even more vulnerable. He insisted that I retire. “I hated the fact that it was time for me to put my tools down. I am still fit to do the job. I have never felt any weakness and always woke up in the mornings passionately, knowing that I am going to spend the day doing what I love to do.”
One of the saddest things he is facing with his retirement is the fact that he will lose interaction with people.
“I have a lot of people who still helped and my interaction with people was very important. Having to give up was one of the toughest decisions I have ever made in my life,” said Friedman.
He told the RECORD that he has seen a tremendous change in dentistry and the world over the past 63 years.
Back in the days when he started to practise, the rand was equivalent to one dollar and one pound.
“I used to charge one rand to take out a tooth, which is far removed from what we charge today. “One of the greatest inventions I am proud of was the implants for teeth. When a tooth was removed, we can place an implant into the bone and the procedure will take five to 10 minutes. After three to four months, when the bone had integrated with the implant, we would be able to do a crown or a bridge,” he said.
“Dentistry is at the peak of its development. I cannot see much of the change in the industry in the future and I also cannot see at this stage that dentistry will ever be the same after this pandemic. “My hopes and dreams right now are to see this virus perish because it has affected a lot of things. Not only in our industry, but all over,” said Friedman.
He wishes everyone the best, especially his patients.
Even though he has stopped practising, he said he is still available to give some advice when it comes to teeth.
