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"Patients should be omitted from NHS dentistry if they have poor dental hygiene"
In light of the new Governmental proposals on the way the NHS is run (expected in 2011), Dentist Professor Jimmy Steele has claimed that the Governmental should change NHS Dentistry to deny patients from having dental treatment on the NHS if they follow poor dental hygiene.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12042614
So, what do you think? Is this going back on the universality of the NHS? or is this an intelligent way to cut costs of the NHS and a good tool of persuasion for patients?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12042614
So, what do you think? Is this going back on the universality of the NHS? or is this an intelligent way to cut costs of the NHS and a good tool of persuasion for patients?
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If you then boot out those with poor hygiene then the cost to the NHS will probably go up as they will have higher levels of other diseases like heart disease
I think it too complicated and full of so many "unknowns" (known-, and unknown-unknowns) to be of any use. But I agree with the sentiment behind it.
Bugger me, you're telling me that there ISN'T expensive dental treatment on the NHS out there somewhere?
There are three in Ipswich, which have always been willing to take on new patients since I've lived in/near the town. Thats about twelve years. Some areas do not have a problem.
Many of the tabloids tell us it's hard enough to find an NHS dentist anyway. Apparently a postcode lottery, where people are pulling out their own teeth with pliers, if that is to be believed.
Most of the rest is just cosmetic.
Great joined up thinking there.
:rolleyes:
A bonus award should given for those who manage to actually get treated before dying of old age.
I fear the dentist like nothing else on, or off, earth and freely admit that I had not maintained contact with my dentist.
Finally had enough of it and went to try and get it sorted. He took out out two other teeth, that he assured me were going to cause me problems, but which had not so far and referred me to a different dental surgery, one that does in-house minor surgery to have the retained root removed.
I live right next to several county borders and the differing health group jurisdiction oftem make getting treatment for some things quite difficult. The surgery he referred me to is 35 miles away, with no direct transport links and I have no car. By public transport it will take me around 4 hours to make that journey, and cost around £45. Money I simply don't have as I am on JSA.
So I asked if the minor surgery could be done somewhere more accessible - the answer is no. And until I have the retained root out at their designated partner surgery I can't get any more routine preventative treatment.
Yes, took me 18 months to get one though.
Is there a dental teaching hospital near you?
So I don't think this is a good idea
Yeah, looks that way :rolleyes:
I think they were talking about the more expensive work - presumably the bog standard treatment would still be offered - if you could find a dentist willing to do it.
Labour already tried to do it with smokers and people who are obese, didn't they?
I can usually get an appointment. The basic procedure is: phone up, say 'can I have an appointment next week' and they say 'what day'. I can't imagine Ipswich is the only town in Britain where there is no shortage of NHS dentists so I can only assume a lot of people are just unlucky.
Not as reliable as one might think - I spent a year going to Guys with a gum problem - umpteen diagnosticians, supervisors and students plus a Professor missed somthing nasty going on under a tooth that a new dentist spotted in one look. Thing blew up again 13 years after root canal surgery fixed that and it turned out the tooth was cracked too.....
Which is why its nonsense for Dentists to not allow treatment on a claim of poor oral hygiene - often its something else they have missed causing the same effect.............
Its similar too banning overweight people. A lot of overweight people are overweight because their endocrinal systems or digestive monitoring systems are misfunctioning - they often need to find the underlying causes not assume a simple cause.
Sorry to hear about the trouble you have had, toothache is one of the worst pains ever. An x-ray should have shown up any problems.
I see the dentist once or twice a year which officially counts as "taking care of my teeth" and a preventive measure. So if I ever have bigger problems (like getting a dental bridge or crown) my health insurance will cover most of the expenses instead of letting me pay for it on my own.
This reward-system also works for people who take courses (swimming, yoga, aerobic, etc.) to stay physically fit. They pay less into the health pot if they have a written confirmation of doing such a course. I'm not sure if it's the same in the UK though.
I think that's a better way to persuade patients to take care of themselves.
OMG! A good idea!! On digital spy forums!! I never thought I'd see it, and on baby Jesus birthday!!!:D
Unless you mean those with poor dental hygiene who don't pay should be omitted from NHS dentistry.