I was always sceptical, although I used to ask God to heal my teeth. At one point, I required substantial dental treatment, but had a needle phobia. Once, when I accompanied a friend for treatment, I started to panic in the waiting room at the sound of the water suction. I broke into a sweat and escaped.

Interestingly, I finally made it into the dentist's church, endured three lots of root canal and nine fillings, and now go regularly. I also have blood tests, which show my cholesterol and tryglycerides as normal.

I prefer fighting the fear to some vague notion of gold teeth.