Health & Fitness

Why are Dentists so Expensive?

Health & Fitness

Posted by: Jen

18th Mar 2009 11:47pm

I just took my disabled husband to the dentist. He has to have a few fillings and we are on a pension. (We have been unable to access the free dental service supposedly provided by the government for pensioners because we live outside the metro area.) The dentist made such a hash of our first visit that his gum was bleeding so badly from her vain attempts to secure a metal band around his tooth that she couldn't fill it. She told me that she would have to wait for it to heal and she would put a temporary filling in it for now. I was charged over $90.00. A couple of weeks later we arrived for the next visit, (today) All that was needed was to drill out the temporary filling and put in the new one. Again she tried to secure this metal band, unsuccessfully. After 10 minutes she resorted to a copper one and took a further 15 minutes trying to find the right size. Finally the filling was accomplished! A 10 minute job took 45 minutes! When I went out to the reception desk to pay the bill she told me it would be $235! On top of the $90 I had already paid. When I complained about the size of the bill I was told it was because it took so long!!! Good grief! Since when is the patient responsible for the incompetence of the dentist? I am fuming! Who can I complain to?


Comments 20

senorita
  • 12th Dec 2012 03:39pm

Even with using Health insurance cover, it still cannot cover the costs of repairing a cracked teeth. Can anyone tells me which is better: invisalign or porcelain crown teeth?

arejzo
  • 26th Nov 2011 08:09pm

Dentists overseas may be cheaper, providing everything goes well. However, if something goes wrong, it may work out to be a more expensive option. My dad got some dental work done whilst in Europe nd when he came back, he ended up with an infection and swelling. In the end it cost him more to get t fix here. Another concer that I would have with the overseas dentist is that you may not know who you are dealing with as you may not know their reputation. Good luck to those who are gain enough to try overseas dentists.

GretaZ
  • 24th Nov 2011 05:33pm

I know how you feel, but couldn't the dentist's office request the government pay for the dental work? I lived in the bush and filled out an application for work to be done. The dentist sent them an estimate and it got done for nothing except the petrol we paid to get there. Surely they could have been a bit more considerate. If you want to complain, I can only think the ACCC would be the right place or the Health Ombudsman in your state. Sometimes people living in the bush get taken for a ride by these so called private dentists. It's disgraceful and I'm sorry it happened to you.

anie
  • 6th Oct 2011 05:36pm

Its amazing that it is not known but cranbourne has a dental service with little waiting time. frankston 4 years I earn a little over the cut off rate for a health care card I get nothing, Centrelink refuse to even let me apply for sickness benifits I supported myself for 12 weeks in 2009, and then 18 weeks off work in 2011 no one cared, its a long road back when you are forced to pay or live on credit

littlechap37
  • 18th Apr 2011 08:24pm

Are you in Australia? You should check out the Community Health Services which a re available for health and/concession/pension card holders. rates are extremely low and the dental standards are very high. Same also applies to The Dental Hospital in Melbourne. I just completed a course of treatment including a number of fillings and the total cost was $84 AUD. My treatment for 2 fillings today was free.

nick_5977
  • 2nd Dec 2010 01:43pm

Do those Dentist Licences come in a Weet bix box?

nick_5977
  • 2nd Dec 2010 01:41pm

My son at the age of 8 was taken to a dentist to check his front incissors growing out the side and the old milk teeth not coming out. Dentist said not to worry that they will come out all by them selfs. Well got him checked again by the same dentist 2 years ago and he said the same thing. Now he is 15 years old and we have taken him to two other dentist. Total cost now: Visiting fees at $650.00. Had to get two incissiors pulled $490.00. Now he needs braces $5500.00. Well as you can see i am very happy with the first dentist for not pulling those teeth out before they stuffed all the other teeth.

BigD
  • 27th Nov 2010 04:03pm

There are a few rarely mentioned programs for dentistry
There is a care plan that some larger doctors clinics are up with
If you are diabetic get your doctor to arrange a care plan, that includes dental
I am not sure of how many dentists are available though
Talk to your normal doctors about any other care plans available.
If your doctor cant helpit never hurts to try another doctor in another clinic, they may have different info sources

KennethS
  • 19th Nov 2010 01:43pm

Dentristry is one of the costlier professions to qualify to practice.

The costs of equipment and overheads are higher for this profession than any other providing a personal individualised service.

Doctors, while undergoing a long and expensive trainng process do not have the set-up costs or overheads that a dentist has. Specialist equipment is either state funded or else in specialised clinics, that charge accordingly ie Cardiograph Ultra sound $265 for a pensioner, a lot more for non pensioners.

Compared to Lawyers, dentist give excellent value for money.

terribrown
  • 16th Jul 2010 04:57pm

I agree with all of you. Even though I have full private health insurance, the cover for dental work is extremely low. It seems that it is actually cheaper to have a tooth pulled out than a filling.
Our government sends millions overseas for free medical treatment in disadvantaged countries but people in Australia have to fork out mega-bucks for their own medical/dental treatment.
We really all should be protesting vehemently -especially now with an Election about to pop up.

seranita
  • 16th Jul 2010 11:15am

I am on full age pension.I tried to pay for dental work trying to "save" the last remaining 6 teeth in my mouth.I was told if the two remaining bottom teeth went I would not be able to hold in a denture, as the back teeth had been removed 40 years ago and the gum was flattened, leaving only the front ridge where the teeth remained.I spent thousands on my credit card which I had retained(from times betteroff ).I had to have a new bottom plate which was a further$1,300 onto the card.I had tried to go to a community dental clinic but was quite a distance with a huge waiting list Then with an unexpected move from my rental property forcing me to borrow against my card sending the interest shooting mile high I realsied I could not spend any more on private dentists.I had previously been told it was at least 6 weeks before I could be assesed by the public free dental service. When the pain drove me up the wall and having moved close to where a community dental clinic was located, I called in at 8a.m. I was asked to "register" and told it would be a year before my name would come up for further treatrment but I would be assessed this day as an EMERGENCY patient. I was seen and had 2 fillings for $23.Then back onto the "waiting list" I said I was in pain with the top teeth and told to leave it a week or 2 and if really bad to present again, or now I was "registered" my name would come up in due time.I was forced to go back because the area around the base of the new fillings was so sharp, but now the top teeth looked lioke an abscess was forming. I was assigned a new dentist once again as an emergency.They called in the head senior man to look. They exrayedand looked at the previous work I had received there. It seems the teeth needed a deeper filling but were not strong enough so the first dentist only filled the top area. However the top dentist aid I would need a full denture unless they could "save" the top ones a while longer. while they extracted the lower two. This they did on the spot. and made a further appointment a month later for one hour and sent me for a full large Xray.The cost of the one hour and 4 extractions now owing to the problems with these teeth, was $46.I had a problem with the pain of stitches not dissolving and a dry socket but was seen on calling in early again as an emergency and NIL cost.I have another appointment 6 weeks time for inspection and start of denture proceedure which will cost $90.

sue000
  • 1st Jul 2010 02:14pm

I cant believe that, I know of young pensioners who live way out in the country, still in our state ( south Australia) and they come into town pay $20 and have a tooth out, then go back and pay somethingI think another $20 and have fillings done.
and it does'nt matter how long it takes.
Iam on the disability pension, I went to my doctor and he gave me a care letter
(im not exactly sure what it is called) and I got 5 visits,which I chose 1 with a physio and 4 treatments with the dentist and I did not pay anything, and I think the doctor can give me the care thing every couple of years if not yearly... Im not sure where you live but maybe your doctor can help .
Its totally not fair that you had to pay such high costs.. I hope you report their behaviour, as some not many dentists and their staff do treat people terrible, it did happen and the doctor was spoken to and given a warning by the high department.. anyway look into the 5 care treatments and see if they have it, where you live ok.
also in Australia we have a once off electricity payment. I had an electricity payment of $700 of which we knew we could not pay. I went to comminity service its called (family sa here in south aust) and they told me that every Australian person having trouble paying their electricity would have it paid by the government.. 1 only so we had that payment paid which was a real relief, not many people know of this, Idid'nt before and i have told others and they had theirs paid which helped them as they stuggle too......
best wishes n luck for the future......

nippa102000
  • 11th May 2010 12:16pm

There is a health service commissioner in every state,go to complaintline.com.au and click on your state for further information.It sounds like you have been rorted of money you shouldnt have had to pay.I am sure your dad should not have had to pay so much being on a pension,surely he has a right to cheaper dental as pensioners should have more discounts than your basic Health care card.I do know that there are waiting lists everywhere but you may find it hard where you live to have more options of what dentists you go to?.So sad to hear this as I dont like being ripped off and it may be worth the hassle looking into this as you never know,you may get a rebate(crossing my fingers for you)Please let us know how you got on.I went to a dentist and they had a uni student who put me off dentists,I know they have to learn but......I`m no guinea pig.Good luck Jen!

Lynsha
  • 6th May 2010 12:26am

I find what happend to you husband not only disgusting but inept on the part of the dentist. You did not say whether you husband had a physical or mental disability which may have had a bearing on how the dentist had to approach the situation. I for one would be writing a letter to the Australian Dental Association about the treatment also my local member of parliament outling your concerns e.g. not being able to access free dental, the dentist's lack of ability to perform what seems to be a fairly routine procedure and finally the exhorbitant cost involved and send her a copy of your letter letting her know that you have sent a letter to the A.D.A and your local member, maybe this give her something to think about.

mermaid
  • 29th Apr 2010 10:45am

Dentistry is expensive due to non regulatory standards in Australia. This means charges vary from dentist to dentist state to state. Infact, The Australian Dental Association (ADA) has long held the view that a universal dental scheme is not in the interests of Australians.

The ADA has suggested that rather than introduce universal dental schemes such as “Denticare”, schemes that provide government funding to the financially disadvantaged should be the priority of Government. Visitors to the site are referred to the ADA’s DentalAccess proposal submitted to Government (see adjacent feature).

A recent article points to some of the issues that will be created with the introduction of such a scheme. It suggests, as does the ADA, that such schemes are not in the long term interests of Australians.

The reality is dentists should the government take control and regulate the industry, dentists become financially disadvantaged. The benefits to all Australians will be an great ADVANTAGE!!

From a personal view......dentists should fall into the same category of healthcare as other medical specialists and until consumers lobby such the only option is to shop around or like many Australians travel overseas where reputable dentists exists, don't be put off by the media hype suggesting otherwise, the real benefits are to be gained for less than a consultation fee.

When you consider the costs involved, airfares and accomodastion are at their lowest, then an overseas holiday and dentistry is affordable!

di
  • 20th Apr 2010 03:48pm

yes its expensive,you need to shop around by phone to find a dentist with some compassion.Some will over charge or over service to pay for thier cars/home etc...but thats the case accross most industries.

It is very hard to get into dentristy in australia,as hard as getting into medicine in many cases,I doubt many realise the sacrifice made by families and candidates to get in.Hsc marks have to be fantastic,then another test called umat(insanely hard and random) and then an interview.No guarantee you will get in if you are an aussie.International students must pay full fees.Even local students pay 8000 a year for 6-5 years(no income for that period and thats not including texts,accomodation etc...then there is set up costs,insurance etc etc.Some get into uni and are bonded to stay in remote country areas for years...

So thats why dentistry is expensive

Sure you can get work done OS...but its cheaper because there is no infrastructure,and life in general is less expensive.If you can find a local good ethical dentist it will be less expensive or travel OS for treatment but check out their credentials/sterile techniques, reputation etc.

Anonymous
  • 17th Mar 2010 05:02pm

It is insane what is going on with our health system especially the Public Dental Scheme. My husband and I are quite elderly, our only income is the Aged Pension. We live outside the metro area, it is almost impossible to get dental treatment when needed, in rural areas the public dental scheme is run by trainee dentists usually from Asia. Our last experience was so bad that we had no choice but to join a private health fund. In order to do that we had to lower our living standards by $5,000 per year. Life will be extremely hard from now on but at least we can get the proper medical and dental service when needed. mvh

shachah7
  • 14th May 2010 01:51pm

just because they look asian doesnt mean they're asian. most are trained in oz.

jud
  • 9th Feb 2010 01:43pm

yes I agree dentists over here are very expensive with rip off prices for some of the procedures they do
I was over in Thailand at xmas and I had a scale and polish ( a thorough clean) in which I find dentists are not so thorough here, it cost me only $AU20
last year I had a crown done to a back tooth quite a big tooth and it cost me around $AU200, my husband had a few crowns over there a few year ago and the dentist quoted here $AU10,000 in Thailand he only paid $AU2000

solstice
  • 12th Jun 2009 03:02pm

Have you seen the type of cars they drive and their partners drive and not to mention where they live and holiday? That all costs big $'s and seeing we need them they have us where they want us over the barrell:( I work in the health idustry so i have a good idea however, i have scruples and refuse to rip people off and i am always busy for that reason.

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