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Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

theatlantic.com

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Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#11

Post by _nalply »

grabcocque wrote: post #2

Despite the article's pretence this is some universal historical wart, I take it this is an American foible, another artefact of the arcane clusterfuck that is US healthcare? In the U.K., dental care is available on treated on the NHS just like other forms of care.

In Switzerland mandatory health care doesn't cover dentistry except for tooth accidents and serious illnesses.

As one can imagine some grey areas can make it difficult to determine whether a dentist treatment is covered or not.

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#12

Post by peteretep »

grabcocque wrote: post #2

Despite the article's pretence this is some universal historical wart, I take it this is an American foible, another artefact of the arcane clusterfuck that is US healthcare? In the U.K., dental care is available on treated on the NHS just like other forms of care.

This is deeply misleading.

All non-emergency health in the UK is mediated via your GP. Except dentistry. All expert medical procedures in the UK will be carried out by an MD, no matter what part of your body they're on. Except for your teeth. For any serious medical treatment in the UK that requires anaesthesia, or surgery, you are likely to be treated at a general hospital which happens to have an appropriate unit. Except ... dentistry, where they have specialist dental hospitals.

Finally, treatment on the NHS for all medical conditions is free at point of use, except for prescriptions. Except dentistry, which is merely subsidised, and generally provided by dentists who work privately, and offer to provide slightly different treatments on the NHS than they do privately.

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#13

Post by kalleboo »

grabcocque wrote: post #2

Despite the article's pretence this is some universal historical wart, I take it this is an American foible, another artefact of the arcane clusterfuck that is US healthcare? In the U.K., dental care is available on treated on the NHS just like other forms of care.

In Sweden, dental is treated separately. There are public dentists, but they're only free of charge up to age 19, and after that there are only a couple rebates available (IIRC the government will pay 30% of procedures over a certain cost, and every other year you get a check that covers one checkup)

In Japan, basic dentistry is covered the same under national health insurance, but for instance if you want a ceramic crown instead of metal, you have to pay for that yourself. Dentists and general medicine are completely separate institutions though.

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#14

Post by toyg »

rollthehard6 wrote: post #10
dazc wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is technically available but it isn't universally free and most people who have a choice elect for private treatment anyway. NHS dentistry in the UK has a very bad reputation, mostly deserved.

I'm not sure how true that is? Would like to see some statistics on how many people elect for private vs NHS. Myself I've never had private dental healthcare and have no complaints, especially since I am paying probably an average of around 150 USD a year for my dental care and can pay as little as 30 USD a year typically.

I think the key is "most people who have a choice". That translates as "most people who can afford to spend a few grand per year on dentistry without really noticing".

I guess parent is a bit more upper-middle class than you.

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#15

Post by [deleted] »

grabcocque wrote: post #2

Despite the article's pretence this is some universal historical wart, I take it this is an American foible, another artefact of the arcane clusterfuck that is US healthcare? In the U.K., dental care is available on treated on the NHS just like other forms of care.

[deleted]

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#16

Post by vacri »

grabcocque wrote: post #2

Despite the article's pretence this is some universal historical wart, I take it this is an American foible, another artefact of the arcane clusterfuck that is US healthcare? In the U.K., dental care is available on treated on the NHS just like other forms of care.

Let me add an Australian voice to the "Yup, there's a dental divide" cacophony.

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#17

Post by rollthehard6 »

toyg wrote: post #14
rollthehard6 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure how true that is? Would like to see some statistics on how many people elect for private vs NHS. Myself I've never had private dental healthcare and have no complaints, especially since I am paying probably an average of around 150 USD a year for my dental care and can pay as little as 30 USD a year typically.

I think the key is "most people who have a choice" . That translates as "most people who can afford to spend a few grand per year on dentistry without really noticing". I guess parent is a bit more upper-middle class than you.

Must be as I'd certainly notice a few grand per year being spent on dentistry ; )

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#19

Post by tirant »

Aaargh20318 wrote: post #5
grabcocque wrote: post #2

Despite the article's pretence this is some universal historical wart, I take it this is an American foible, another artefact of the arcane clusterfuck that is US healthcare? In the U.K., dental care is available on treated on the NHS just like other forms of care.

In the Netherlands it's completely separate too, including in insurance.

Except for children. And I've seen that in other European countries as well. Children dental care is always included in public health care, and even the dentists share clinic with other doctors.

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#20

Post by barking »

Dentists in the UK receive a bachelor degree, as do doctors. However it was a sanctionable offence in the eyes of the General Dental Council for a dentist to title themselves Dr.

This was purely a Dental Council regulation, anyone at the time could call themselves doctor, it wasn't a criminal offence.

With the arrival of dentists from EU countries who were allowed to do so, UK dentists felt they were being put at a disadvantage in the eyes of the general public.

The GDC eventually relented with an announcement to the effect that dentists doing this would not be taken action against any longer.

But they clearly didn't approve!

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