What the hell is going on in this country regarding dentistry?

Slam62 · 14 Jul 2023 at 12:46

Government is not fit for purpose, electoral system the same, we are stuck in the past and it’s too late to sort it all out.

Mind you I have an nhs dentist at the moment I think the previous one turned private, the nice lady left and a young bloke replaced her, he seemed to have targets shall we say.

tom_nieto · 14 Jul 2023 at 12:57

jon86 said:
What do you mean by that?

Dentistry in the UK is becoming increasingly privatised as funding from the NHS has been squeezed. This includes wage bills. Why work for less money in a public system when there is no obligation to do so?

jon86 · 14 Jul 2023 at 12:59

philjayj said:
Not knowing much about USA healthcare, would you still get billed for this?

You'd get a bill, but it you can't pay, the hospital will eventually send the bill to collections, and/or write it off. Healthcare bills get dismissed in bankruptcy.

Uther · 14 Jul 2023 at 13:00

We still have an nhs dentist, but if you start missing appointments, you're gone. They dumped loads of people during covid because of this.
It'll all be private before too long, both dentist services and nhs. If you can't afford it, tough. The fun times are over.

jon86 · 14 Jul 2023 at 13:01

Tony Edwards said:
That £35 is not the final pay out for the dentist. The amount they get from the NHS patient is subsidised.

The total amount of money received is still less than it would be if the patient was private.

throwaway4372 · 14 Jul 2023 at 13:05

I'm looking forward to cheaper national insurance now that I'm not paying for dentistry anymore.

henry hoov3r · 14 Jul 2023 at 13:07

Theres going to be a lot of people with teeth like a tarmacers rake in a few years time.

Ayahuasca · 14 Jul 2023 at 13:08

jon86 said:
You'd get a bill, but it you can't pay, the hospital will eventually send the bill to collections, and/or write it off. Healthcare bills get dismissed in bankruptcy.

Are there any other problems that can arise from having such a large bill hanging over you? I mean, most people don't want to go bankrupt to clear it.

Uther · 14 Jul 2023 at 13:16

Ayahuasca said:
Are there any other problems that can arise from having such a large bill hanging over you? I mean, most people don't want to go bankrupt to clear it.

'66.5% of bankruptcies are caused directly by medical expenses, making it the leading cause for bankruptcy.'

49+ U.S. Medical Bankruptcy Statistics for 2023 - RetireGuide

These medical bankruptcy statistics will help you learn about healthcare debt in the US, its causes and how to pay off your existing debt.

www.retireguide.com

Tony Edwards · 14 Jul 2023 at 13:17

jon86 said:
The total amount of money received is still less than it would be if the patient was private.

Well yes and there are also the strict rules and paper work they have to fill out for NHS work.

I mean we are all accepting this is a government issue and not the publics issue.

Ayahuasca · 14 Jul 2023 at 13:21

Uther said:
'66.5% of bankruptcies are caused directly by medical expenses, making it the leading cause for bankruptcy.'

49+ U.S. Medical Bankruptcy Statistics for 2023 - RetireGuide

These medical bankruptcy statistics will help you learn about healthcare debt in the US, its causes and how to pay off your existing debt.

www.retireguide.com

Ah, so bankruptcy essentially becomes a neccessity if you get burdened with one of these bills. Land of the free.

Blackjack Davy · 14 Jul 2023 at 13:22

After years of not being able to find an NHS dentist I have one but they're not taking on any more patients and have to almost badger them for an appointment and its a quick check then out the door if I missed the 6 month or whatever appointment schedule I've no doubt I'd be booted off the register they were starting from scratch as a new practice and were happy to sign up anyone now they've gotten settled they're more selective. But they are or were the only NHS dentist anywhere

Kelt · 14 Jul 2023 at 13:22

sigma said:
You will be poor, toothless, homeless AND happy about it.

Don't forget the insects, the future food of the poor, at least fly soup won't need chewing.

Puzzled · 14 Jul 2023 at 13:38

sigma said:
Teeth are overrated anyway.

Perhaps we'll go back to people voluntarily having all their teeth pulled and opting for dentures rather than paying for future dental work.

KompuKare · 14 Jul 2023 at 13:55

Puzzled said:
Perhaps we'll go back to people voluntarily having all their teeth pulled and opting for dentures rather than paying for future dental work.

So the return of indenture servants then?

Uther · 14 Jul 2023 at 15:07

Puzzled said:
Perhaps we'll go back to people voluntarily having all their teeth pulled and opting for dentures rather than paying for future dental work.

Have you see the price of dentures lately...
Soft food will become popular.

sither · 14 Jul 2023 at 15:13

this is getting long in the tooth now

Ayahuasca · 14 Jul 2023 at 15:15

Uther said:
Have you see the price of dentures lately...
Soft food will become popular.

They'll just have to put their money where their mouth is!

siclilmonkey · 14 Jul 2023 at 15:19

My NHS Dentist recently changed my 6 monthly checkups to every 12 months but told me i would benefit if i had a checkup every 3 months .......

MooMoo444 · 14 Jul 2023 at 15:21

Leaves a bad taste in your mouth to be honest, but then do you blame them - must be chomping at the bit for extra cash in this climate.