Just had an email from our lovely dentist, been seeing him for the last 17 years, to say he is retiring at the end of the summer. Totally p****d off. I hope the new person will be as good.
International c*t day. As if c*ats need a special day to raise awareness given how obsessed with the bloody things the internet seems to be. Of all the things that need to be sorted out in the world right now I think increasing the popularity of cats has to be pretty low. It's also (among others):
Scottish Wildcat Day
National catfish month
and Odie day (the dog from the Garfield cat comic)
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
Had an early appointment for a check up with the hygienist and dentist - so now thoroughly depressed.
The dentist (private) reckons I grind my front teeth and so I have been wearing a gum shield type thing at night for years - but despite that my teeth are wearing and need remedial work - 'Anterior composite restoration' - which involves making articulated study models at the local dental labs. The total cost - to you sir (if you buy today) - at today's special, never to be beaten, price - £3430.
Right..... I don't mind paying BUT I hate that feeling of being ripped off when I'm not sure of how it's costed out. Two sets of treatment at 4 hours overall, plus materials. Two people involved on salaries of what £90k and £30k? Running a surgery costs of £500 per day? Profit margin on top of salaries ar 20%? Is £1800 per day to be charged reasonable (£400 Dentist, £150 nurse, £850 upkeep, +20%)- I haven't a clue..so half day £900? The lab costs they quoted at £600 and models at £90 - so still circa £1600 - materials £1800 for white composite filler? How on earth do you ever know what is the right price? It's hardly the same as going out and getting three quotes from a plumber is it?
It looks like the problem is in how they cost - the price is fixed per 'action' so if the price for one 'Anterior...blah' is £220, if I need 12 it's £2640. Hmmmmm.
Just lost 15% of my pension pot (since Covid/Ukraine/Energy), when inflation in the same period was 10% - so effectively down 25% - and just upped my energy payment by £2000 per annum and the dentist wants £3k+. Anyone want a spare kidney? You'll have to extract it yourself.
steveTu said:. Anyone want a spare kidney? You'll have to extract it yourself.
Sorry @steveTu - your current predicament is not at all funny but your last comment did make me smile. You may be losing your teeth but at least you have retained your sense of humour. Be careful tho. Someone will see it and you'll get some strange emails/texts or WHY. Just make sure you get a good price
@steveTu I know some of your comments were tongue-in-cheek, but if the dentist actually said the offer is only available if you take it up on the spot, I would tell them to Foxtrot Oscar and find another dentist. It sounds like the tactics employed by double glazing salesmen.
SteveTu, I would expect a clear breakdown of the cost, what each tooth being treated is actually going to have done to it, what alternatives there are, and what happens if you don’t have it done.
Seen such horror stories of people going abroad for cheap treatment, and having masses of unnecessary and dodgy work done. Teeth cut down into points, no way a crown is going to stay on that for long.
Haven’t worked in general practice for many years, but half the earnings used to go on the upkeep, staff salaries, materials etc. For years, NHS dentists were basically treated as tax collectors for the NHS, often no top up from the patient charges, and for some treatments, actually working at a loss. Swings and roundabouts, it was called!
At least then, a dentist could accept as many NHS patients as they wanted. Now there are restrictions on how much NHS work they can do, and when they have fulfilled their agreed contract, they can’t provide any more and get paid by the NHS for it. I’m surprised how many carried on taking NHS patients as have done. Very stressful and demoralising.
No Suffolk dentists taking adult NHS new patients, only 7 taking kids. I've had 2 teeth fall out since COVID with no chance of ever being able to afford private. With the cost of food it's probably just as well the teeth are going.... Who will be able to afford to eat by the time the Tory's have finished
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Regent's Park C****
Newington ****s
****** Bank
In Belgium, all domestic cats have to be chipped and netered now. Not sure how that's working out tho and in The Netherlands they have taken measures that have removed all stray dogs from the streets. It was done with intelligence and care - https://pvhsociety.ca/what-the-floof/holland-officially-becomes-first-country-without-stray-dogs#:~:text=The Netherlands has officially become,a leading cause of death. and I don't se why the sameapporach can't be made in other civilised countries and with cats too.
Be careful tho. Someone will see it and you'll get some strange emails/texts or WHY. Just make sure you get a good price
Seen such horror stories of people going abroad for cheap treatment, and having masses of unnecessary and dodgy work done. Teeth cut down into points, no way a crown is going to stay on that for long.
Haven’t worked in general practice for many years, but half the earnings used to go on the upkeep, staff salaries, materials etc. For years, NHS dentists were basically treated as tax collectors for the NHS, often no top up from the patient charges, and for some treatments, actually working at a loss. Swings and roundabouts, it was called!
At least then, a dentist could accept as many NHS patients as they wanted. Now there are restrictions on how much NHS work they can do, and when they have fulfilled their agreed contract, they can’t provide any more and get paid by the NHS for it. I’m surprised how many carried on taking NHS patients as have done. Very stressful and demoralising.