Dental Fee Madness

Is dental care a basic health right? How can treatment plan fees be so astronomical?

I talked to two clients this week who were completely astounded with their pricing estimate on their dental treatment plan. Both were highly educated executives with international exposure and had excellent dental care throughout their life. Each client was healthy, maintained a good diet and exercise. One individiual was a UK ex-pat who had grown up in the National Health System in Great Britain and wondered what do people in the US do without a safety net. Medicaid has supported millions but those cuts loom on the horizon however even that benefit was primarily for the indigent. The middle class which is barely hanging on to that title generally has to pay cash and it is anyone's guess how dental care was prioritized during the recession. Patient #2 had premier dental insurance throughout his life, which proves even great dental care cannot deny genetics if your teeth are predisposed to failure, stress, accident or peridontal disease. Unfortunately, the needs each expressed included treatment of implants,crowns, dentures and / or bridges that regardless of dental insurance is barely covered - if at all. The fee estimates were astronomical and many poor families could finance their retirement on one alone. I know firsthand the overhead in medicine and dentistry in the US but there are complementary services such as in prosthetics where extreme profit margins are made. Economies of scale exist in dentistry just as they were discussed during the recent health care imbroglio. And yes, the insurance industry drastically needs reform.

The feeling and frustration each patient expressed going through this process was the total lack of empathy and understanding that was delivered along with the plan. The arrogance and ease of the dentists who felt more than comfortable their clients could pay and payment plans were not an option. Medicine cannot be an incentive based business.

The United States has made significant strides in oral and dental health over the last 50 years. Dental care, fluoride and the general fiscal improvement in society regardless of class has led to these advances. But, they are going to rapidly deteriorate until dental and medical health are seen as basic rights and made more affordable regardless of socioeconomic status.

Know that you have an alternative and it can be found in dental tourism. See kdana.com and the FAQ to help guide you. I have guided you in the past with your rights as a consumer. Know them. Practice them and negotiate. Your dentist needs you as much as you need them. And speak up - your dental health is paramount to those with chronic disease, longevity, and overall well being.