Posted on 10/15/2007 4:34:04 AM PDT by TruthFactor
Falling numbers of state dentists in England has led to some people taking extreme measures, including extracting their own teeth, according to a new study released Monday.
Others have used superglue to stick crowns back on, rather than stumping up for private treatment, said the study. One person spoke of carrying out 14 separate extractions on himself with pliers.
More typically, a lack of publicly-funded dentists means that growing numbers go private: 78 percent of private patients said they were there because they could not find a National Health Service (NHS) dentist, and only 15 percent because of better treatment.
"This is an uncomfortable read for all of us, and poses serious questions to politicians from patients," said Sharon Grant of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health.
Overall, six percent of patients had resorted to self-treatment, according to the survey of 5,000 patients in England, which found that one in five had decided against dental work because of the cost.
One researcher involved in compiling the study -- carried out by members of England's Patient and Public Involvement Forums -- came across three people in one morning who had pulled out teeth themselves.
Fifty-eight percent said new dentists' contracts introduced last year had made the quality of care worse, while 84 percent thought they had failed to make it easier for patients to find care.
Almost half of all dentists -- 45 percent -- said they no longer take NHS patients, while 41 percent said they had an "excessive" workload. Twenty-nine percent said their clinic had problems recruiting or retaining dentists.
"These findings indicate that the NHS dental system is letting many patients down very badly," said Grant.
"It appears many are being forced to go private because they don't want to lose their current trusted and respected dentist or because they just can't find a local NHS dentist."
Notice that they don’t mention why the dentists are going private. My guess is because they’re tired of dealing with the socialist medicine bureaycracy.
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M-O-N-E-Y.
But the rest of the UK medical establishment will follow. In twenty years, the UK will have universal substandard care, but anybody with two nickels to rub together is going to pay whatever it takes to get into expensive private-run programs.
It will be the worst of all possible worlds, with productive Britains having both a crushing tax burden and a crushing insurance burden. But what else can you do? Stand in line to wait for the Defibrillator?
Another glimpse of Socialized Medicine.
HG ping
No wonder the British have such bad looking teeth.
American voters; please take note of the failure of socialized medicine.
Coming soon to the USA courtesy of Hillarycare.
Yay for nationalized healthcare!!
The majority of American voters want a Socialist government - the 2006 election proves it.
This is what they want, therefore this is what they shall get. But, their intentions are good.
Notice that they don’t mention why the dentists are going private. My guess is because they’re tired of dealing with the socialist medicine bureaycracy.
Hiltlery has a better plan, dontcha know. We will be removing our own organs by the time it’s over. Ah, Hillary cares.
“English ‘pull own teeth’ as Dental Service Decays”
Wrong headline. It should read:
“English ‘pull own teeth’ as Great Nation Decays”
Another one to squirrel away for future use against Dims I know.
Sounds like a great opportunity to sell a ‘Do It Yourself’ dental kit!
Why is it that we never hear the Republicans pointing out the flaws of socialized medicine? Where are the commercials supporting our side? The Republican party is the most politically incompetant group I know.
Doesn’t matter.
The politicians have no reason to listen to them. The English are unarmed.
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