YOUR VIEW My Pain Was Rich Dentist's Gain

Oct 16, 12:12 PM

Current Headlines: WHEN will this farce ever end?

My NHS dentist was on holiday recently and left a telephone number for his patients to call in an emergency.

I broke a tooth that required urgent attention, so I called the other dentist's number. They arranged for a bonded crown to be fitted at a cost of GBP363. WOW!

When my own dentist returned he said his price would have been GBP193 - almost half!

By what right can so-called private dentists get away with these appalling charges? Whatever happened to our glorious National Health Service?

Please don't anyone tell me such charges can be justified under any circumstances.

Ronnie Cee, Glasgow

We're at their mercy

A PRIVATE dentist is a private business and can set fees as they see fit on a 'take it or leave it' basis.

Unfortunately, they know that when we have to turn to them they have us at their mercy, especially if we are not regular customers (I don't believe we are treated as patients in cases like these). Health care in general in this country is rapidly becoming just like the US - and look at the mess they are in with their healthcare system!

West Ender, Glasgow

It isn't a charity

UNFORTUNATELY, dentistry is now a very expensive business.

The costs of materials, premises and staffing have all increased by much more than NHS payment increases, which is why many dentists are now private.

Running a dental practice isn't a charity and costs have to be met somehow.

I'm not saying it's right, but that's how things are.

We all know the NHS is rubbish and we will all just continue to pay more for everything.

Hightower, Glasgow

Putting cash before care

EVERYONE would like to be paid more for doing a lot less, which is why so many dentists have opted increasingly to work only in the private sector.

The truth of the matter is there never really was such a thing as a skint dentist, even if they were working exclusively for the NHS. Is there any end in sight to the current system, which seems to put financial gain before patient care?

What NHS dental services would be available to everyone if the money currently paid in premiums to insurance companies was instead given solely to the NHS for the provision of universal care?

Louis Donald, Portsmouth

Originally published by Newsquest Media Group.

(c) 2007 Evening Times; Glasgow (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.