Why the government must save the NHS dental system (btw it is sad story)

[ComeOVeneer]

This is in America but if the nhs system collapses as it well may do, stories like this could appear in the british news

OK I know I may be more interested in this than the rest of you

I lost my dentist 2 years ago as he retired. I haven't been to a dentist since, as there are no NHS ones, and apparently none of the private ones in the area are taking on patients either. luckily the boys have been getting seen by a fantastic school dentist.

The American private system offers far superior care to the average person in my opinion. $80 for a tooth extraction. You would never get a private tooth extraction for that price here -- not even on the NHS.

Ok, people on benefits perhaps don't fare so well.

But, you know what, I think this boy's mother has a responsibility to see that her son is cared for.

PS COV, we have an NHS dentist that I like in Hampton. Let me know if you are looking to register your kids with one.

that is really scary, poor child.

our dentist only seems to just scan teeth really quickly too.

what was so wrong with free nhs care for children. it makes me

Oh yes please Eleusis. Could you email me the details please.

after reading that story, my £600 dentist bill looks quite attractive

This is so not a typical dentist story in the states. After all, the problem is that the boy didn't go to the dentist.

Besides, I can tell an equally horrific story about 2 year old boy who died in Epsom at the hand of the NHS about a year ago.

But the reason he didn't go to the dentist was because he didn't have access to one.

Oh I wasn't suggesting it was a typical story. It is very rare for this to happen. I was just highlighting the fact that had they had access to afordable dental care it could have been avoided. The way the government are ruining the nhs dental system means in 5-10 years it may no longer be here, and will result in a significant increase in children being denied treatment because of cost.

I know COV. And I know this is a subject that is near and dear to you.

I just think that people will quick to jump on the anti-American bandwagon and say see private is crap look what happens. And since I grew up in the states (and I have some damned fine dental work in my mouth if I do say so myself). And we all know that you can always tell an American by his/her straight healthy teeth.

Anyway, I'm no fan of socialised medicine. When it is controlled by government beaurocracy I'm afraid I feel it detracts from the efficiency and hence quality of the service. And this goes for the whole of the medical community -- not just dental.

My bankrupcy in the US was the result of being uninsured and struck by a drunken, uninsured motorist.

I was lucky.

It's not extremely difficult to get a bankrupcy for medical debt, which is very, very common there.

Even if you have 'good insurance' your co-pays or the percentage you're required to pay can amount to THOUSANDS, for routine stuff like heart disease.

There are about 45m uninsured people in hte US, and the numbers continue to grow, as employers are not required to offer it if there are under 50 employees, and even if they do, the cost can be so high employees cannot afford it.

Sorry, but that 'system's a joke.

I'll take the NHS ANYDAY.

Healthcare should NEVER be a for-profit business.

I agree with you re socialised medicine. However I think everyone has the right to the basics of dental/medical care regardless of wealth.

I feel so proud of my mum who is a (mainly) NHS dentist and I will be so very sad if the system continues to go down the pan.

I should also add that we have an NHS dentist whom I really like.

I'm not panning the dentists themselves -- especially not the lovely COV. Just the system.