Still going strong after 61 years
Born and raised in the South of Johannesburg, we take a look at the life of Linmeyer resident, Dr Arnold Mervyn Friedman as a dentist.
DOCTOR Mervyn Friedman (83) is no stranger to the South and after 61 years in the dental industry, his practice is still a success.
Born in Kenilworth on November 7, Arnold Mervyn Friedman attended Rosettenville Central Primary School and Forest High. He proceeded to complete his Bachelor of Dentist Science degree at the University of Witwatersrand.
It was in 1978 that he went back to start his masters in this field. In the interim, Friedman opened his own practice in La Rochelle where he worked.
After completion of his masters, he began lecturing and tutoring at the university. After three years of teaching his trade, he went back to his practice.
Friedman vividly recalled opening his practice on March 1, 1956. “I am passionate about denture work and have done over 17 000 dentures throughout my career,” he said. In 1956, just before opening his practice, Friedman tied the knot to his wife Maureen and they have been living in Linmeyer for about 20 years.
Friedman spoke of how he relocated his practice four years ago from La Rochelle because the area was becoming dangerous. Now situated on 105 Vorster Avenue in Glenanda, his practice does all dentistry work.
“My main focus now is dentures. Being a denture wearer I know the problems people who wear dentures face. People who wear dentures have only 20 per cent of the force to chew their food as opposed to the natural teeth. This can be enhanced to 80 per cent if the denture is supported by implants.
“New technology now allows the loose lower denture to become stabilised. This new technology also allows the upper denture to have no palate and thus expose the taste buds which allows one to taste their food again,” he explained.
The implants are available for lower dentures as well which is any dentist’s nightmare because it is difficult to keep it in place. Now, with the implication of four implants which takes 20 minutes, a patient will have fixed dentures which can be removed to clean. It is a painless procedure and is done in the chair.
Friedman told the COURIER how he enjoys mosaic work and some of this is displayed in his offices. He is also a keen gardener and specialises in succulents. Friedman is assisted by Sonia da Silva, who has been with him for 19 years now and has been nursing for 23 years.
For more information or to keep in touch with Friedman contact their offices on 011 432 43 23 or email denture@tiscali.co.za
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