Dental/oral health is crucial. You can die from dental problems. I will never understand why the entire dental industry is treated as if it is cosmetic or non-essential. Stress to your immune system and failure of major organs is not taken seriously, but it is a very real risk.
Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine
21–30 of 153 posts
Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine
#22Earlier 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.
Only a few years ago most "NHS Dentists" were full.
Just like that. No new patients. Tough.
It's only relatively recently that you'll find yourself driving past one with "Now accepting NHS patients" on big banners outside.
Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine
#23Even further on the fringe of medicine: opticians.
That's a bit different, as an opthalmogist is a real doctor who treats eyes. Dental equivalent would by a dental hygienist, I guess.
Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine
#24Earlier 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.
Private dental insurance in the UK is most definitely not "a few grand per year".
Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine
#25Even further on the fringe of medicine: opticians.
That's a bit different, as an opthalmogist is a real doctor who treats eyes. Dental equivalent would by a dental hygienist, I guess.
Ophthalmologists are specialists just like any other medical specialist, e.g. a dermatologist.
Does the fact that general practitioners refer people on to dermatologists mean that family doctors are not 'real doctors'?
Sorry if that sounds aggressive, I am unfairly taking the inference from what you said that opticians are somehow 'fake'.
Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine
#26Despite 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.…
> All expert medical procedures in the UK will be carried out by an MD, no matter what part of your body they're on
Point of pedantry, which doesn't really affect your argument: the professional medical degree in the UK is the MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery -- abbreviation can vary by institution). The MD is either a research degree (similar to a PhD) or, at certain older universities, a higher doctorate similar to a DSc. In either case, most British doctors don't have one.
Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
That's a bit different, as an opthalmogist is a real doctor who treats eyes. Dental equivalent would by a dental hygienist, I guess.
Ophthalmologists are specialists just like any other medical specialist, e.g. a dermatologist. Does the fact that general practitioners refer people on to dermatologists mean that family doctors are not 'real doctors'? Sorry if that sounds aggressive, I am unfairly taking the inference from what you said that opticians are somehow 'fake'.
Opticians and ophthalmologists are different things.
And optician had some training but it's not a medical degree which is equivalent to say a dental hygienist in dentistry.
Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine
#28Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
Private dental insurance in the UK is most definitely not "a few grand per year".
Private dental insurance in the U.K. doesn't cover as much as you think.
Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
Private dental insurance in the UK is most definitely not "a few grand per year".
Private dental insurance in the U.K. doesn't cover as much as you think.
Well, I get regular checkups and when I need work they do it - I haven't encountered any areas where stuff wasn't covered.
Edit: Pretty sure I pay £30 odd a month and I've had root canal treatment, new crowns, etc.
Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine
#30Earlier 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.
Only a few years ago most "NHS Dentists" were full. Just like that. No new patients. Tough. It's only relatively recently that you'll find yourself driving past one with "Now accepting NHS patients" on big banners outside.
It's still a big challenge to find one in many areas (like mine). You call, get on the list, and if it's not urgent it will take weeks or months, you might have to drive quite a bit to get where they send you, and don't expect to find people happy to see you when you get there.