Dentistry = Highway robbery

Teerah

I agree Tom, it is a matter of priorities at the end of the day. I think the cost sounds reasonable also.

No_Future

I think dental costs SEEM expensive because we all feel that healthcare is/should be 'free'. We go to the GP and don't pay (at the point of use), use hospitals etc etc. The problem is that we don't know how much healthcare actually costs, so we don't value it. Of course dental fees will seem expensive if we are used to having other healthcare for free. Any kind of healthcare is expensive! We just don't have any clue as to how much it actually costs.

People need to decide which is more important - spending money on their dental health or spending money on sky TV, holidays etc. Not that many people in the UK are REALLY REALLY poor and in any case those that are can get help with health costs.

Toothsmith raises some good points and is not looking down on other professions, he is pointing out that there is a great deal involved in training and practicing as a dentist, and that costs reflect this and the expense of running a surgery.

bjo_2

why do dentists train here and get their credentials for a good living?
and then decide to opt of nhs and go private.
doctors must train longer and they are still providing a good service
for public
regards
bjo

lostbuckaroos

Perhaps we should get a rebate on our national insurance contributions if we can't get nhs dental treatment? Or a contribution towards the cost of private treatment? £80 is a lot of money for those on low incomes no matter whether we think that we should see this as value for money or not. I'm sure there are those out there who can't afford private treatment or insurance to cover them, yet who get no help from the government towards their healthcare. And if the economy does take a downturn, dentists who have left the NHS may find they don't have enough paying customers to go round.

Teerah

lostbuckaroos wrote: »

Perhaps we should get a rebate on our national insurance contributions if we can't get nhs dental treatment? Or a contribution towards the cost of private treatment? £80 is a lot of money for those on low incomes no matter whether we think that we should see this as value for money or not. I'm sure there are those out there who can't afford private treatment or insurance to cover them, yet who get no help from the government towards their healthcare. And if the economy does take a downturn, dentists who have left the NHS may find they don't have enough paying customers to go round.

Are you aware that the amount of money from NI that goes towards NHS dentistry is a few pence?

sparrer

At the age of 60, last November I went from sheer necessity to a dentist for the first time in n years :eek: …poor treatment as a child/abject fear etc, etc had caused me to stay away except in the most dire of emergencies. I was fortunate enough to get an appt as an NHS patient within four days, and even more fortunate to see the ‘girl’ I did. After several visits to put me at ease I eventually let her begin treatment, which meant removing all my teeth – or what I had left of them - prior to having dentures. It was done over two consecutive days. I did wonder if I’d go back on day 2 but not having felt a thing at the first appt, and having a lovely dental nurse to hold my hand throughout, I didn’t hesitate. The dentist knew I was going away for Christmas and made sure my new dentures were made and fitted in good time so I’d be used to them. I had seven appointments in total, from the first where I shook (and I admit it, cried ) with fear, to the last when I walked out of that surgery with the biggest smile on my face! I was told I may have to go back as often the dentures will rub and cause sore spots at first but I haven’t even had to do that :T

That poor girl was another who had look into a disgusting gob but she didn’t bat an eyelid, she and her nurse just did their jobs with kindness and professionalism :A . Prior to this I was ashamed of my mouth and always spoke with my hand covering it. Now I even seem to have people who were once passing acquaintances wanting to spend time in my company. Whether or not this is just coincidence I’m not sure but I don’t think so….

The total financial cost for all this was under £200 but to me it’s priceless. I’m more confident, more outgoing and not ashamed of my looks any more but most important of all, after 50 plus years, I’ll never be afraid of a dentist again .

Just my 2 (?) penn’orth :rolleyes:

lostbuckaroos

Teerah wrote: »

Are you aware that the amount of money from NI that goes towards NHS dentistry is a few pence?

That doesn't mean that you shouldn't benefit from the amount you pay. I can make a profit of 3.5k if I claim back all the healthcare covered under my healthcare plan, would it be wrong of me to do so? So why should those on lower incomes not have a little benefit from their NI contributions?
Healthcare in this country is not healthcare, for the most part it is sick care, whether we're talking about doctors or dentists and that is the problem. It's hard enough to get some people to go to their GP, which is free, never mind the dentist, which is not. The drill & fill culture shouldn't really be a surprise and has it's equivalent in general medical care too - we only go to the doctors when we are sick. Would it not be better to have free health check ups for all which could include dental care. We could then pay for fillings etc on top of this in the same way we pay for our prescriptions if we need them.
But hey, it's better for the haves to criticise the ungrateful have nots instead of looking for a solution isn't it?

Toothsmith

Teerah wrote: »

Are you aware that the amount of money from NI that goes towards NHS dentistry is a few pence?

Actually T, and the rest of you - NI doesn't, and has never paid for any of the NHS.

NHS is and always has been funded out of general taxation.

NI was there for pensions and the benefits system.

But still, you don't get a rebate if you never claim benefits and die before you reach pension age!

I appreciate that these days Tax and NI are pretty much all going into the same pot, but NI doesn't pay for health.

Toothsmith

bjo wrote: »

why do dentists train here and get their credentials for a good living?
and then decide to opt of nhs and go private.
doctors must train longer and they are still providing a good service
for public
regards
bjo

I'm sorry, is there a stipulation that everybody educated by the taxpayer must do some sort of 'National Service'? Not seen that one.

Thank goodness I did 10 years NHS before I went private.

I had a couple of friends train to be accountants at Uni - hmm - they went straight into high paid city jobs, no mucking about with Public audit office for them. Or that friend of mine who did a law degree - Citizens Advice Bureau and Legal Aid work? - No - Private law firm and earning megabucks.
That Civil Engineer in the room above me? The taxpayer even helped him out with a PhD after his first degree. Now building roads and buildings for the public good? No - he moved straight out to the States after his PhD and is being paid a kings ransom out in Florida. Not even paid a penny in UK tax since graduating!!!

If you hold onto this idea that private dentists earn more than NHS ones, then surely the private dentist will be repaying his training costs far quicker than the one staying in the NHS through the taxes they pay?

Providing low-cost sub standard dentistry to the general public who can't afford/don't want anything more 21st century is hardly the way to 'repay' anything.

Toothsmith

rjh090384 wrote: »

dentists work hard for the money they get! expecially nhs ones - there is not a lot of profit in providing nhs once lab fees and overheads etc come off. feel bad for them. pvt is where the real money is. but compared to what dentists earn the measley 11500 a dental nurse earns is nasty!! i woudl like to see a dentist attempt to work a full day without a nurse!! lmao

We're not allowed to!!

But how long would a dental practice full of nurses be financially viable with no dentist!?