Dt. Songül Özdemir Eğilmez

As a 72-year-old with a lifelong fear of dentists, I arrived at Acibadem Atakent Hospital trembling. Years of neglect had left me needing multiple extractions and implants—a daunting prospect. Dr. Songül didn't just see broken teeth; she saw my anxiety. She designed a phased treatment plan, explaining each step in Turkish with grandmotherly patience. During the first implant surgery, her assistant played soft Anadolu music at my request. When I panicked mid-procedure, Dr. Songül stopped immediately, held my hand, and said, 'We go at your rhythm, amca.' Six months later, I'm eating simit painlessly for the first time in a decade. She restored more than teeth; she gave me back the joy of eating with my family.

Our 8-year-old daughter, Elif, fell during a school play and shattered her front tooth. We rushed to Acibadem Atakent in panic. Dr. Songül met us in the emergency dental unit with remarkable calm. While I was nearly in tears, she knelt to Elif's eye level and said, 'Let me see the warrior tooth!' She turned the trauma into an adventure, letting Elif choose the temporary crown color (she picked glittery pink). The reconstruction was so seamless that her school photos show no evidence. But what truly amazed us was the follow-up: Dr. Songül sent Elif a 'brave patient' certificate and a children's book about dental health. She transformed a scary memory into a story of resilience.

I'm a professional wind instrument musician from Izmir—my teeth are my livelihood. A complex root fracture in my molar threatened my career. Multiple dentists told me extraction was inevitable. Dr. Songül studied my case for three days, consulting with maxillofacial specialists. She proposed an unconventional apicoectomy with ultrasonic techniques to preserve the tooth structure critical for embouchure. The 2.5-hour surgery felt like precision watchmaking. She constantly checked, 'Can you feel tension here? We must protect your nerve sensitivity.' Six weeks later, not only was the tooth saved, but my range and control had actually improved. She understands that dental surgery isn't just about health—it's about preserving people's identities and passions.

What began as a routine checkup revealed a hidden odontogenic keratocyst in my jaw—a rare, aggressive condition. Dr. Songül's demeanor shifted from routine care to focused concern. She didn't alarm me but thoroughly explained the need for immediate surgical enucleation. Her preparation was military-precise: 3D imaging, coordination with a pathology lab, and even a nutritional plan for post-op. During surgery, she discovered the cyst was more extensive than scans showed. Instead of closing and referring me out, she spent two extra hours performing meticulous bone curettage. 'We do this once, we do it completely,' she told my family. Her follow-up protocol involves quarterly imaging for five years—a commitment to long-term vigilance that gives me profound confidence.