Doctor Stories: Behind the Scenes with BJU Dentist Dr. Pelletan
Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) is proud to be able to offer international-standard, personalized, and patient-focused care to our patients. We get to know you so that we can treat you that much better. But how well do you guys know us?
To help you learn more about the dedicated and talented doctors who take care of you, we've put together this Doctor Stories series. Now, you can get to know your health practitioners as well as they know you.
Hi, Dr. Pelletan! How long have you been in Beijing and what brought you here?
I first arrived back in 2014 with my husband, a journalist, after he took a job here. We actually knew very little about China at the time, but when the opportunity came up, we felt like we had to take it!
Sounds like a brave decision!
I guess, though we love these kinds of experiences – having the opportunity to explore a new place and learn more about the world and other cultures. We’d previously lived in Venezuela and New Caledonia, as well as in France, so it seemed like the right thing to do.
New Caledonia! Sunshine, beaches, clean air – do you ever miss that here in smoggy Beijing?
It was a really great experience there, but it’s a very small place, and you feel like you know everybody within two weeks. It was enjoyable, but it’s not the kind of life I like – I prefer to live in a big, bustling city like Beijing!
Did you find it tough adjusting to life here?
At first, for sure. We came straight from Paris, so it was difficult of course, particularly because of the language – I couldn’t read or understand anything. I had no friends, I missed my job back home, and I wasn’t working for the first year as I had to pass exams before I could start.
As for the smog, to be honest, the move all happened so fast, and I wasn’t even aware of the pollution problems! I can’t say it’s not annoying when it does get bad, but you just have to get on with it and try to enjoy yourself!
And how is everything now?
Excellent! I’ve now been with BJU for 18 months, my husband and I have made great friends and we feel very happy and settled – the day we have to leave will be a very sad one.
How did you find settling into life at here at BJU?
There’s such a strong community among the staff, so I was made to feel super welcome and comfortable from the beginning. I actually started with United Family Healthcare down in Guangzhou, and everyone was so friendly, it was almost surprising! Back in France, I was working in a private practice with only three dentists, and while we got on well, it was nothing like here.
As the only foreign dentist, other staff were super welcoming and out to help me. We’d go for dinner together and even went to KTV!
Ah yes, karaoke, the traditional China initiation!
Apparently so! It was an experience that I never thought I’d have. I had to sing French songs, and was a bit shy at first but I had fun!
What’s a day in the life of a dentist like?
No two days are ever the same, obviously because I meet so many different patients. I split my time between the main hospital and BJU’s Jianguomen Clinic, and will usually start at 8:30 or 9 every morning.
Most days begin with a half-hour doctor meeting, though we might have more meetings and discussions over the course of the day, even over lunch, depending on how busy we are with appointments. I see my patients in the morning and in the afternoon before I finish at 7 pm, if all goes well.
Do you find there’s anything different about being a dentist here in Beijing?
Not particularly, I’m still dealing with teeth! There aren’t really dental issues that are specific to Beijing or China, so the service I give to patients is the same, and the advice too – mainly, reminding them to see their dentist every six months and remember to floss!
Of course, the job can still be stressful, and there are sometimes difficult cases that I need to think about, but I’m fortunate that when I leave the clinic, I can usually switch off. This is why I have such huge respect for surgeons, for example, who must find it impossible to do so if they’re on call or have a patient in a life-threatening condition.
How do you like to spend your weekends and evenings?
When I clock off, I might head straight home, to the gym, or go out to a bar or restaurant – whether it’s food, drink, or activities, Beijing has so many different options, so I try to make the most and enjoy it all.
Most of the doctors live around the hospital here in Lido, but I live in a hutong down in Dongcheng. It’s such a unique experience to live in old Beijing and also great to be in a place so completely different to Lido, as it means I can really separate work and home. I really love the way of life around there – we’ve got a little courtyard and can close ourselves off from the noisy streets outside, the chaos of Nanluoguxiang!
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