[Brenda]

DanSC DanSC:

Bart's got a point. If the government had to foot the bill for every tooth knocked out while playing hockey, Canada would go into a depression.

Basic care (a 15 minute check up, check for cavities) is not THAT expensive. The kids don't even get that now.

[bootlegga]

Brenda Brenda:

DanSC DanSC:

Bart's got a point. If the government had to foot the bill for every tooth knocked out while playing hockey, Canada would go into a depression.

Basic care (a 15 minute check up, check for cavities) is not THAT expensive. The kids don't even get that now.

Maybe where you live - my dentist here in Edmonton charges me almost as much for his 10 minute 'check-up' ($150) as his hygenist charges me for a one hour cleaning and flouride treatment ($175).

Fortunately, my benefits cover 100%, but I do know that I didn't go as often in the past when that wasn't the case. More often than not, I went every second year instead - still, I never had a cavity until I hit 40.

[Brenda]

bootlegga bootlegga:

Brenda Brenda:

DanSC DanSC:

Bart's got a point. If the government had to foot the bill for every tooth knocked out while playing hockey, Canada would go into a depression.

Basic care (a 15 minute check up, check for cavities) is not THAT expensive. The kids don't even get that now.

Maybe where you live - my dentist here in Edmonton charges me almost as much for his 10 minute 'check-up' ($150) as his hygenist charges me for a one hour cleaning and flouride treatment ($175).

That's ridiculous. The Province (who would pay for it) could just set a standard price for a quick check up. My dentist here doesn't even offer quick check ups. Only cleanings, during which the dentist comes in to do a check. I don't have time to spend 3 hours at a dentist office with (bored) teenagers.

$1:

Fortunately, my benefits cover 100%, but I do know that I didn't go as often in the past when that wasn't the case. More often than not, I went every second year instead - still, I never had a cavity until I hit 40.

No benefits here. Also, ALL the white fillings we have gotten here, have fallen out (usually right after a year, so no free re-do. Pay up!), and now they are pushing me to have my silver fillings taken out because they are 'old'. Yeah, you bet, they have been there for 25 years!

[BartSimpson]

Be careful about asking for free dental care or else you end up like the Soviet Union where people got stainless steel fillings and they usually waited so long for them that their teeth fell out anyway.

[Brenda]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

Be careful about asking for free dental care or else you end up like the Soviet Union where people got stainless steel fillings and they usually waited so long for them that their teeth fell out anyway.

Or like the kids in the Netherlands, whose dental check-ups are covered by their (mandatory) health care insurance.

[Prof_Chomsky]

The stupid thing is it would be cheaper for everyone if dental and drug care were provided for all. Consider that every Canadian either pays out of pocket for dental/drugs, or has an employer plan. Now consider how much dental work costs because it is “private” compared to other medical costs. WE are ALREADY paying for dental care for all, just at an inflated rate. Same goes for drugs. Costs my company around 1500$ for a platinum package covering drugs and dental. To get that same coverage as an individual it would be 4000$ and not even cover the same amount. Buy in as a nation and the costs go even lower. Same idea as why Canada can provide the same health insurance for everyone at ½ to 1/3rd what it costs the USA through private plans.

Again, key point here is WE already pay all these costs, the only difference is not everyone is covered.

[andyt]

Also, basic dental care would reduce a lot of costs to the medical system later on.