The Denture Craftsman Part II

Dr. Liu’s family has been dentists for generations in this small city — his great-grandfather, grandfather, father, uncles, himself, his daughter, even his cousins — all in the same trade. He says that every Chinese New Year, when the family gathers, there are twelve dentists at the table! Some work in large hospitals, some in small ones, and some, like him, run their own clinics.

Unbelievably, this highly skilled craftsman only finished middle school. When he was fourteen, his father — who also ran a small dental clinic — told him at the dinner table to quit school and learn the trade. Dr. Liu didn’t argue; he wasn’t interested in studying anyway. Teachers kept pushing him to turn in homework, and on 100-point exams, he barely scored 20 or 30. He knew perfectly well that books weren’t his path.

But here’s the amazing part: after following his father to learn dentistry — back then, in small Chinese cities, being a “dentist” was just a craft, no need for medical school, just hard work and practice — he mastered the skill. A few years of apprenticeship, and he could make and repair dentures, fill teeth, and take plaster molds.

Dr. Liu says that most of his generation never went to college. They became skilled dentists through family influence and constant practice. But the next generation all studied in formal dental programs and now work in hospitals.

As he works, Dr. Liu chats and smokes, constantly adjusting and polishing dentures until each patient feels no discomfort. Then they pay, leave, and the next person — who’s usually been waiting a while — takes the chair.

Dr. Liu is discussing the patient’s needs.

Because his process skips all the bureaucratic hospital steps, and because his skill is excellent and prices fair, he has plenty of customers. Still, Dr. Liu only works in the mornings. Afternoons are strictly off-limits — no matter how many patients are waiting. That’s his mahjong time, his only leisure.

He says, “A person shouldn’t be too greedy. You can’t finish earning all the money in the world. Life is long yet short. You have to earn enough to live and feed your family, yes, but chasing big money isn’t worth it. If fate gives it to you, you’ll get it; if not, don’t force it. Save time to relax — otherwise you’ll waste your life. If you’re not greedy, your body and mind stay calm and comfortable.”

He goes to bed at ten, wakes up at six, never worries about the future. “Living in the present,” he says, “is the truest goal.”

When asked why he chose this profession in the first place, Dr. Liu answers with one word: “Inheritance.”

In his family, whether boy or girl, the parents always encourage their children to become dentists. “This job will never go out of demand,” he says. “Everyone grows old, and dental health is always important. If you master the skill, you’ll never go hungry.”

Dr. Liu’s workbench.

He even advises his daughter, who works as a dentist in a big hospital, to quit and open her own clinic: “Hospitals are too stressful, no freedom. Working for yourself gives you time.” But his daughter wants to stay — for promotions, maybe to become the director one day.

Dr. Liu laughs and says, “Even if you become the director, can you eat six meals a day? What’s the point of all that money and power? Living freely and easily is worth far more.”

Looking at the cigarette in his hand and his bright, lively face, I realized — his life truly belongs to him.