ABSTRACT
High on Everest during 1994 a UK doctor, thoroughly prepared in all other respects for his summit bid, decided enough was enough – his continual toothache was overwhelming his chance of a lifetime. He descended through base camp, ran 26 miles to Namche Bazaar where he was able to be treated by one of the Sherpa dental therapists in the only effective remote dental facility in Nepal. Subsequently he was fortunate to progress through all the camps and stand on the summit of Everest. Pre-monsoon in 1999, Russian, Slovenian, American, Korean and Nepalese climbers with summit chances on Lhotse Shar, Everest, Nuptse and Pumori all presented for difficult emergency dental treatment at Namche Bazaar. All these climbers had dental conditions that could have been prevented had they considered treatment before leaving their home country.
Prevention is better than cure, and much better than a ruined trip A dental exam, if possible including panoramic X-rays, should be carried out 3 months prior to departure. Treatment waiting lists and complex therapies may take a surprisingly long time to achieve
