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Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

theatlantic.com

1–10 of 153 posts

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#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.

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#3

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.

Well... most people I know go to a private dentist, even if they go to their NHS-covered GP. Isn't coverage different for dentists?

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#4

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.

Not in Portugal. There's almost no dentists working on the public sector, as opposed to pretty much all other medical specialities.

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#5

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.

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#6

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 France and in Italy they are formally treated as a whole, but in practice they are two separate worlds. In particular, financial coverage in France and availability in public structures in Italy are very different between "dentists" and "doctors".

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#7

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.

I don't see the article claiming universality outside the US. But in many European countries, dentistry is indeed largely or completely separate from the rest of medicine.

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#8

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.

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.

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#9

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.

There is still a divide in the UK - unlike general medical care, dental care is not 100% free at the point of use (Similar for optical care).

Dentists can take a mix of private and (public) NHS patients or specialise purely in private or NHS. If you move to a new area it can sometimes be hard to get into a practice as an NHS patient.

NHS dental care is heavily subsidised but not entirely free (See here for prices where I am in Scotland - https://www.scottishdental.org/public/treatment-charges/)

Typically, if I get a check up and need nothing done other than scale and polish the cost is around 15 USD (The exam part being free)

As a consequence, having some dental insurance plan is not uncommon here - my partner needs more dental work than I do so has such a plan called Denplan.

Re: Why Dentistry Is Separate from Medicine

#10
post #8

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.

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.
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