The differences between what dentists in Australia tell me compared to what I am told in SE Asia are shocking! Recently I had to have some dental work done in Asia. As it was going to be quite invasive I looked for advice and pricing. Here as it is much cheaper than anywhere in the west!
During my consultations in Asia I asked the dentist to tell me if there was any other work to be done. I informed the dentist that the last dental checkup I had in Australia I was informed that I had two little fillings. I even pointed out where they should be and the Asian dentist confirmed that there was no need for any fillings.
There was nothing there!
Is Dentistry Just Another Scandal?
When people need medical work in the west there are a plethora of doctors, optometrists, dentists, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and surgeons ready to supply these needs at prices that seem to rise and rise. All people will need some form of treatment in their life but it should be done at reasonable prices!
During my last Australian checkup the dentist jovially informed me that I had two small fillings to do and she could do them then and there for roughly AUD $130 each. That's AUD $260 I had to pay there and then for her to quickly perform the two fillings. My mouth was full of things but she understood my loud gurgling protests.
*We did not do the fillings that day! *
Now I have had it confirmed that there were no cavities to fill. I am sure that there are honest dentists in Australia but this lady clearly was just after the money. Dentistry is strange... we don't tend to go to another dentist for a second opinion like we might a mechanic. I think that would be an excellent idea but the amount of paperwork to be undertaken is prohibitive.
If they are not honest an optician is there to sell you glasses, a dentist is there to sell you dental procedures ad nauseam!
Controlling Dentistry
Like medicine the length and cost of dental degrees has increased all around. It takes years to brainwash people into a thought process. I have met dentists in Australia:
- Who have screamed at me because I believe we shouldn't force fluoridate public water - give the people the choice!
- Who have asked me why my teeth are so white and when I tell them it's because of oil pulling they say that perhaps they have heard of it but it's too old. They're not interested because selling pure oils is far less profitable than pharmaceuticals!
- Who have told me I need fillings when I don't!
Something smells bad here. The fish rots from the top. Who is at the top of this system in Australia? The answer is: The Dental Association Of Australia - another major government body run from the apex!
We've seen all this before and it's growing! Boring!
I'm Sure I'm Right!
I am sorry if this information offends Australian dentists. I'm sure they are great ones out there. Perhaps you will say that my Asian dentist was not skilled enough to spot the fillings that needed to happen.
To explain my conviction I must explain I have spent many years breeding and caring for horses and watched a lot of dentistry. With my recent Asian dentist I got him to give me a mirror so I could inspect the teeth myself. This dentist had been practicing for 15 years and neither him or I could spot anything.
Medical tourism is rising in Asia especially dentistry. I suggest you look into your Asian options before you spend astronomical amounts in the west. You also get a holiday in the tropics and bring money to developing economies.
Who knows, perhaps they won't lie to you! For oral health I also suggest researching oil pulling and colloidal silver which I will do some more posts of at some point.
Jockey votes 4: @teamsteem, @ausbitbank, @aggroed, @timcliff, @drakos.
To be honest I have had the same thing happen in the US. I am an australian living over here. I think the opinion about needing fillings can vary from dentist to dentist. Like lots of things in medicine things aren't all black and white.
Funny you post this. I spoke to my optometrist not long ago and he told me he had gone to the dentist and asked how the new guy was going. He replied the new guy was going great and is making a lot of sales. My optometrist was dumbfounded, how can you make sales as a dentist? Of course he didn't say that to his dentist because he didn't want to offend him. But he said to me, it is either you need something done or you don't, it is such a scam. lol
The police force in Australia is almost the same... They have quotas. I have been told by people I know in the police forces in Oz about this and must write some more in the future. Followed and UPvoted! 😉
What the!!??! That's crazy!
I've also heard ticket inspectors have quotas too!!
You are correct my Steem sista! This is why I live in Asia these days. I'm fed up with the bureaucracy. Hmmm! 😶
Pretty much guessed that. I'm hearing stories which are telling me that when a police officer hasn't filled his quota by the end of the shift he'll start pulling people who weren't speeding (usually in older cars) and threatening them with defecting the car if they don't accept the fine.
This has been going on for years in the UK too. My husband had a mouth full of fillings from his childhood and his teeth are brilliant. The only reason he needed work doing recently in his 40s, was because of those old fillings breaking down.
Yes, yes, and yes! Well some of them anyway. I have had the same experience as you a few times. My mother was a dental nurse so I make her come with me now (and I'm 39yrs old lol) whenever I get some work done. We have a silent language that we use. I look at her when the dentist tells me what I apparently need done and my mother will either communicate "no" by frowning her eyebrows, or wink for a "yes".