Open Wide

11 Jun 2010 06:25a.m.

Kim wrote:

Once I turned 18 I stopped seeing the dentist because as a student and then with my first job since graduating I couldn't afford it. Now I'm living in France my dentistry is reimbursed by the govt. I pay medical insurance straight out of my pay (its compulsary) and then I have a basic complementary insurance (~$100 per yr) - this is for all medical expenses. I get one free teeth clean per year and all my dental costs are 90-100% reimbursed for basic procedures (fillings etc.) and then there is a cap for larger procedures but its quite high. Next week I will get free fillings and my black fillings (which the dentist was appalled with) filled with white fillings - 100% reimbursed. NZ should have a subsidised dental care system like the UK or similar to France - I'll definitely be taking advantage of French health/dental care before I come home.

26 May 2010 11:12a.m.

Margaruite wrote:

Once I accidently overdosed on codeine the pain was so excruciating and spent 3 days spraying blood from my bowl and vomiting mercilessly. Iam a low income worker, and recieve no supplemantary support from WINZ. To qualify for subsidised dental care Canterbury DHB requires that I be on a benifit before accessing waiting list. late last year i had a root canal cost-$800. The same tooth again requires another root canal-cost $800. I was born with some congenital abnormailties (cleft palate..)and most of my roots are fused to jaw bone-extraction involves drilling roots off jaw and believe me extremely painfull! Would rather have it fixed. Where does someone like me go to get dental work that I can afford??? Havn't kissed anyone for years because accutely aware that my breath is unlikely to be pleasant.

20 May 2010 10:35a.m.

nathan stratford wrote:

Hi i am very disappionted with the dental service in this country they charge far too much for service's e.g $160 through too $250 for one tooth to be pulled but if you have a community card it cost about $45 at the hospital,I am quailfied in my industy and have over heads I cant get away with this over charging, maybe the industy needs too be looked at for price fixing?

19 May 2010 09:45p.m.

allen wrote:

Regarding costs at the Dentist.Yes they are a medical instute and yes the average person has been brainwashed into putting these people up on a pedistal, where cost are not questioned as these people are beyond reproach.It does cost a lot to qualify as a dentist (there choice) but then spend the next 30 years charging unchallenged costs.Lets compare with a drainage contractor who would have up to a million dollars of equipment and in constant debt.The thought that they are challenged would certainly get old boy network putting up the smoke screens.As to the Bangkok dentists compare them with F&Paykel, product is same or better where they produce now, but cost a fraction to produce,because of labour charges.In other words the greed factor is not there hidden behind a unquestionable attitude as in most western cultures.

19 May 2010 09:14p.m.

sriamorn reavill wrote:

I'm from Thailand small town next to Bangkok call Chachoengsao. have been living here nz for 7 years now. I'm find it very expensive to have my teeth done here. firstly my friend told me it will cost $300 per teeth to fix the hold(decay). I useually go back to Thailand every 2 years and me and my husband will go to see dentist in my home town which is the very best dentist in town with all profestional dentists and tools. I have 6 teeths to fill amalgam and my husband has one tooths to take off 2 teeths to fix and clean plax, which cost both of us arount $150.But here I have to fix my tooth while i was 6 months pregnent only one tooth cost me $210. If it wosn't because I was pregnent and we was saving up to go back to Thailand I will not never go to see dentist here and all they have in the room was them chair and a few tool and the light and tv. It's just can't compair at all.

Then my father in law was have a quote to have his teeths done for total cost of $33,000 (estimate cost not include time fee of doctor that he have to pay every visit $150) and it's could cost him more for oporation time, I have organize him to go to thailand to have it done,4 implants,1 bridge,6 crowns(cost about$10,000), while having a holiday for two months (mother&father) 4 star hotel and return airfair for two. total cost was under the quote from nz dentist.

And my home town is only $20 for fix one tooths decay. $20 for clean plux a whole lot. free for check up. etc. Why would I pay for nz dentist?

15 May 2010 03:56p.m.

Parik wrote:

This was an interesting story covered on 60 minutes. I quite liked the way it was presented.But I also feel that it was very very one sided.The lady who went to the dentist and was quoted a fee of $21000 ofcourse had the option of going to another dentist or wait her turn at the mediacal centre. There are options avaialble always.she could have worked out a payment scheme with so any financial companies around the place.
the option of Going to Thailand and other such countries is definitely open but then not everyone can afford it and as it has been rightly pointed out by Tom prevention is better than cure. Dental diseases are totally preventable and it is the responsibility of the individual as well to co operate.

It is not good enough to blame all the dentists for charging exorbitant prices. It should also be noted that dentists are highly skilled professionals and take a lot of rik in their hands while delivering treatment with utmost care.

It is foolhardy to think of them as plain business people. If the general consensus is that the dental treatments are expensive then the government should intervene and take care of the public.

15 May 2010 10:50a.m.

Tom wrote:

Why is it in a first world country people are still having teeth rotting out of their heads? The point is for the next generation at least dental care does not need to cost a lot because disease should be prevented before it requires treatment. I treat many children under the free health scheme who do not care for their teeth because if they do get holes they just get them filled. This is why a free scheme does not work as there is a lack of personal investment. Subsidy however would increase accesibility which I fully support. The emphasis would need to be on mainly subsidising preventative services as opposed to funding being used up treating people who do not look after their teeth.

Education needs to be key i.e. diet, oral hygiene and even how dental disease works. If this was taught in schools and families made aware on a public level then a lot of the work required now would be prevented in the future. It is sad to see patients who "cannot afford" dental treatment who will continue to worsen there gum disease with a packet of smokes a day (at $15 a packet). It is even sadder to see children with holes in every tooth from drinking fizzy every day.

We have a long way to go but it is definitely do-able if we place emphasis on good oral health as a commumnity and take responsibilty for our own health as individuals.

Tom

PS Floss your teeth every night (it's called saving for your retirement)

15 May 2010 12:55a.m.

Debbie N wrote:

I have had many conversations with Roy about the option's overseas. If I had the money I would jump at the chance to save my teeth. As it is, after neglecting to go to a dentist for many years, due to mainly the fact with a family, I couldnt afford it. I now have 24 teeth that need different work done to them. If not fixed, the dentist has said they will fall out within 6 months.(also gum problems and decay)Winz has refused to help with cost,(for repair or removal,other than the $300.00 which isnt enough) therefore I am on a waiting list through the hospital which they have also said they wont fix them,(due to the state of them) a 6 month wait list to be seen for removal, expected time for removal will be a year's time. Chances are,I to will end up in hospital with other problems while I wait. Thank you 60 minutes for screening this show, people need to know about other options.

14 May 2010 08:10p.m.

JD wrote:

Dental decay is an entirely preventable disease, if people just had decent oral hygiene then they wouldnt even need to go to the dentist.
So we need to stop complaining about the costs of dentists and go home and brush our teeth!!!
RE overseas dentistry...just be aware, they have no regulations for practising dentists in these countries, and while it may look flashy, the material they use and techniques they employ can open leave a lot to be desired. Maybe it would be a good idea for a post op xray after RCT tx or crown and bridge work. Just be a little cautious and make sure you understand what the tx is and what it involves, and especially you are sure of what the overseas surgeon is actually doing...otherwise when you come home and it flares up where can you go...back to your local dentist where they have to tidy up a mess left from overseas!!!

13 May 2010 08:52p.m.

Jo Hueston wrote:

I could never afford dental work in NZ - my children came first - $1200 - $1500 for a root canal was not an option so it was left until the tooth was rotten and broke off. As a consequence, tooth infections were rife and my body suffered as a result of these continuous infections. 2 years ago,my dental work in NZ was estimated at over $45,000. Last June I travelled to Bangkok where it has been $13,000 so far , with another $2,500 of work to be done when I can afford it.
Our company, Restored Beauty Getaways, facilitates Dental Work,Cosmetic/Elective surgery & Eyesight Surgery to Thailand.
The main reasons :COST - treatment and a holiday is considerably less than just the treatment in NZ ;QUALITY - these surgeons and clinics are highy specialised with equipment only dreamed of in NZ ; CONVENIENCE - imagine being away for 1-3 weeks and having your dental work, cosmetic surgery and eyesight surgery completed - while being in holiday mode with delicious inexpensive food, relaxing at the beach, sightseeing, shopping until you drop and returning home with it all completed ! PRIVACY - away from prying eyes we can return refreshed. It is our choice to tell friends and relatives what we have had 'ímproved'
I love my work and the happiness it brings my clients.
Jo