Dentistry - a license to print money!

[Number One]

Just had a tooth removed - Feels much better now it's completely numb but crikey my bank balance is still reeling!

Normally I'd have baulked at the concept of removing a secondary tooth but $$$ doesn't grow on trees and all the other options were going to cost at least 4 times the cost of the extraction AND I would still need to spend another 2.5K no later than 6 months after.

I don't think so! So now I have a very unattractive gap where once I had a gorgeous looking but pain ridden white tooth.....

Won't be belly laughing for a good while - tooth didn't look that big when it was in my mouth the hole looks fricken HUGE :blink:

Sad day but one I have brought on myself.

[Taz]

It is far too expensive to look after your teeth properly in NZ. I'm gonna be a gummy bear I think.

[007XX]

I hear ya sister...:(

I know now of a few people who have had to resort to the same extremes to be able to stop the pain.

Is it just me or is it that everything just seem to grow too expensive for comfort?:argh:

*touching wood* I haven't got problems with my teeth, but my son is going to need braces in a couple of years, and I've been saving a bit every week for that over the last 4 years.

[MisterD]

What's worse is that you know the dentist is a med-school drop out who didn't make the cut to be a doctor...

[Sofa]

What's worse is that you know the dentist is a med-school drop out who didn't make the cut to be a doctor...

I'm sorry to say, but its much harder to be a dentist than a doctor... There's only one institution in NZ that does dentistry (Otago) and I think only like 50 students a year get in from the how many hundreds applying... Maybe even thousands... Whereas don't they take about 200 or so med students a year?

[sunhuntin]

just come and see my mother!
she broke one of hers on a bit of toast a few months back. no money, plus having granddaughter for the day meant no dentist. she asked my assistance, i flat refused and hid on here.
she comes in not long after holding a pair of pliers wrapped in tissue and one bloody half tooth. got rid of the pain for free.

[Number One]

Dreading the examination when I go back!

Bin 12 years since I last went.

And before you all get on the bandwagon and say serves ya right - bite me!

I used to work in dentistry assisting oral surgeons. Let's just say that a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing!

Any other mums out there also found that since having kids their teeth and gums have gone to pack?!

Kids - crikey! If I knew then what I now know they do to your body and mind I might not have been half so keen! :lol:

[MisterD]

I'm sorry to say, but its much harder to be a dentist than a doctor... There's only one institution in NZ that does dentistry (Otago) and I think only like 50 students a year get in from the how many hundreds applying... Maybe even thousands... Whereas don't they take about 200 or so med students a year?

Dunno. What I do know, though is that two of my mates dropped from med to dentistry when I was at Newcastle Uni...one wasn't intelligent enough, the other was on the piss too much...

[Number One]

got rid of the pain for free.

hmmm judging by the size of the roots I couldn't have done that myself.....

Oh and isn't the number of med students taken on each year a reflection of the realistic and expected attrition rate?

Dentistry actually ain't as hard as being a doctor either...teeth are actually pretty simple things

[sunhuntin]

desperation does strange things to an old lady, lol.

[Goblin]

Ooohhh I feel your pain! A couple of days before Xmas I broke a front tooth while chewing on a pork bone. It knocked my confidence as I could see even close friends and family stare at the gap with a look of disgust on their faces. Had 12 top teeth out in Feb at a cost of $1290. Denture was $1125 and I just had it modified this morning but that was included in the original price. In six months time it will need re-lining again which will cost $250...plenty of time to save for it.
All my dental problems were caused by one dentist. Every tooth he touched became infected and I had to pay for root canals. One tooth started to ache on a Good Friday so I couldn't wait for the long weekend to be over so had to pay through the teeth for treatment. After the front tooth broke I decided a denture would be the way to go and it's bloody marvelous! I can smile again but cant quite bite properly yet. It was a long and painful process but worth it in the end because I dont have to pay the rip off prices of dentists anymore. :D

[Number One]

Yup - the pain was starting to get the better of me but then I discovered that Diclofenac and nuerofen actually did provide relief! Codiene is still my fav though :innocent:

[Mikkel]

Yep tooth mechanics are bloodsuckers alright. In Denmark quite a few people find out that they can save money by taking a weeks holiday in Poland and having it done there. Crazy eh?

Dentists and plastic surgeons need assistants - just to help shoveling the money in :crazy:

[Goblin]

Any other mums out there also found that since having kids their teeth and gums have gone to pack?!

Kids - crikey! If I knew then what I now know they do to your body and mind I might not have been half so keen! :lol:Yes! My third pregnancy was when my fillings started to fall out. I got them seen to straight away but within months the teeth got infected.

Lol...would have been better off swallowing eh! :rolleyes:

[Number One]

Lol...would have been better off swallowing eh! :rolleyes:

too true! Thank gosh it not just me - I did try to be really anal when preggers but I also spent the 10 months vomitting constantly and found it difficult to even get my toothbrush into my mouth (let alone moving it around in there) as for your comment above...I take it you don't mean swallowing the teeth.... :sunny::shutup: and yes I now prefer to swallow :lol:

[Lias]

FWIW goblin and sunhuntins mum might have been able to have it done on ACC.

A few months ago I just KNOCKED a tooth whilst drunken, didnt even chip it but within two days my entire face was swollen because the knock made it get infected. Ended up on IV antibiotics which wasnt fun, but ACC paid for the root canal.

[Number One]

ACC paid for the root canal.

pity I couldn't attribute it to the several knocks on the head I took playing goalie in club soccer...very clearly nothing to do with an accident unfortunately.

problem started when I let my anxiety about it all get away from me

[007XX]

Any other mums out there also found that since having kids their teeth and gums have gone to pack?!

Kids - crikey! If I knew then what I now know they do to your body and mind I might not have been half so keen! :lol:

I read once that the first things to be depleted in your body during pregnancy are your levels of Calcium. Your needs are way higher, even after you've expulsed the lovely sprog.

Are you taking supplements? I would advise looking closely at your diet for Calcium intakes, Vitamin D and also how acidic your diet may be...Go to your healthshop and ask to do an "acidity check". The idea being that an imbalance in alkalinity can cause an overly acidic environment (expecially concentrated in your mouth), which can deplete your body's natural defences against attacks.

Look it up, it is worth it, even if some people will poo it...

[Goblin]

too true! Thank gosh it not just me - I did try to be really anal when preggers but I also spent the 10 months vomitting constantly and found it difficult to even get my toothbrush into my mouth (let alone moving it around in there) as for your comment above...I take it you don't mean swallowing the teeth.... :sunny::shutup: and yes I now prefer to swallow :lol:Well when you put it that way, anal might be ok for some but there's only one use for that hole and it aint putting anything in there!:shit:
I'll stick to swallowing.:yawn::innocent:

[scracha]

Hmm...never thought of the soccer accident thing to get em fixed. Was considering going on a wee "holiday" back to $hitey old blighty and getting my teeth and body WOF'd over there.

[sunhuntin]

FWIW goblin and sunhuntins mum might have been able to have it done on ACC.

A few months ago I just KNOCKED a tooth whilst drunken, didnt even chip it but within two days my entire face was swollen because the knock made it get infected. Ended up on IV antibiotics which wasnt fun, but ACC paid for the root canal.

she still wouldnt have been able to get in there for a few days. we were landed with the brothers kid at the time. a few minutes with the pliers was much easier. still vomit worthy though.:wacko:

[Number One]

I would advise looking closely at your diet for Calcium intakes, Vitamin D and also how acidic your diet may be...Go to your healthshop and ask to do an "acidity check". The idea being that an imbalance in alkalinity can cause an overly acidic environment (expecially concentrated in your mouth), which can deplete your body's natural defences against attacks.

Have been told by a naturopath that I am very acidic :shutup: surprise surprise! :lol: But seriously though I also know that I've been drinking FAR too much V too and I just know that can't have helped either :nono:

[Number One]

OMG that really is a large and unattractive hole.

Must develop party tricks for it! Gotta get something outta this :rolleyes:

[fireball]

know how you feel bloody rip off merchants!

had braces as a kid $5000 thank you.....then

i had two of my wisdom teeth removed before xmas (had no choice LilSel was pissed off cos i was grumpy and in pain)
$900 later and still thinking was it worth how much i paid?

15mins work = $900
(at least i squirted blood on him :devil2:)
i am in the wrong job

[007XX]

Have been told by a naturopath that I am very acidic :shutup: surprise surprise! :lol: But seriously though I also know that I've been drinking FAR too much V too and I just know that can't have helped either :nono:

heheheh...yes, that stuff is bad for you...although strangely addictive I am told :innocent:

Any soft drinks drunk in too high a consumption will do damage at some point or another. Why do you think they use CocaCola to clean engines and rust stains (not kidding)...it will also dissolve a tooth's enamel if left soaking it it.

I mean, I'm no expert but I thought it might be useful to look into that. :o

[Number One]

YUP Fireball - I definitely feel your pain.

$200 for 15mins is what my dentist just got from me....hope she still has a student loan - is all I can say about that!

007 - V is addictive! It is shocking stuff and apparently the caramel extract in it is baned in several countries due to it's being a well known carcinogen (sp).

I thought I'd kicked the habit when I got back from Outward Bound...stayed off it for a couple months but have well and truely fallen off the wagon!

Damn it's tasty badness

[RantyDave]

Codiene is still my fav though :innocent:
Go the Codeine! Remember to take some at least half an hour before opening your Visa statement.

Dave

[terbang]

Must be something in the water or the moon phase or sumfing. I recently had a tooth, way down the back there thank god, disintegrate. Dentist reckoned it hadn't been filled properly and was hideously ulcerated, bla bla bla and its got to come out. Didn't seem to be hurting, was just coming apart. Anyway, after a condescending lecture on regular visits and flossing, he ripped the remainder of it out and charged me $375.00 for the privilege of being his patient. A bloody rort if you ask me as the lecture was the longest part.

[Forest]

just come and see my mother!
she broke one of hers on a bit of toast a few months back. no money, plus having granddaughter for the day meant no dentist. she asked my assistance, i flat refused and hid on here.
she comes in not long after holding a pair of pliers wrapped in tissue and one bloody half tooth. got rid of the pain for free.

Sounds like she has more balls than you do :)

[Forest]

My ex got quoted $28,000 NZD to get her teeth sorted.

So we both went to Hungary for a holiday and visited one of the top dentists in Budapest. The entire trip (including the dentist's bill, accommodation, and return airfares) was about $8,000 NZD.

[Mikkel]

Have been told by a naturopath that I am very acidic :shutup: surprise surprise! :lol: But seriously though I also know that I've been drinking FAR too much V too and I just know that can't have helped either :nono:

Dunno if V is particularly bad - but all carbonated drinks are bad for your teeth. Too much sugar of any kind as well... Orange juice is pretty bad as well. It is to be recommended flushing stuff like that down with a good swig of water :yes:

An important part of dental health is that you salivate properly - if you feel yourself starting to have a dry mouth go feast your eyes on some good food, porn or whatever might make you drool ;)
Methamphetamine teeth (search for it if you haven't seen the pictures - be warned though, it's disgusting) is what happens when your mouth dry out and you've stopped caring.


OMG that really is a large and unattractive hole.

Must develop party tricks for it! Gotta get something outta this :rolleyes:

Just HOW big is that hole :blip:

It'll go well with a pirate get-up :yes: Otherwise it's a practical place to place the straw for your daquiri.


know how you feel bloody rip off merchants!

had braces as a kid $5000 thank you.....then

i had two of my wisdom teeth removed before xmas (had no choice LilSel was pissed off cos i was grumpy and in pain)
$900 later and still thinking was it worth how much i paid?

15mins work = $900
(at least i squirted blood on him :devil2:)
i am in the wrong job

On the other hand - you don't really want some ham-fisted incompetent screwing up the job... As for all other trades competence has its price - although yes, these prices are ridiculous! Especially considering the average NZ wage...

[Number One]

after a condescending lecture on regular visits and flossing, he ripped the remainder of it out and charged me $375.00 for the privilege of being his patient. A bloody rort if you ask me as the lecture was the longest part.

That's what really gets on my tits!

I'm like - listen PRICK actually it was a BITCH in this instance (and I only thought all the below btw)

Don't you think I know that I should've HTFU a long time ago when this tooth was probably only in need of a small filling?! Don't you think with my 5 years in detistry chairside and and in surgeries + my training studying Dental Technology (crowns, bridges, dentures and ears/noses) I would know that I only get two sets in this life and that I best take bloody good care of set number two by flossing and brushing every day and visiting you bastards regularly to check out for nasty stuff!

So what is my problem then and what might help me?!

Here's two ideas, personally speaking only of course!

The biggie: MULA. Yes regular event free visits might not cost a lot but when there seems to be nothing going wrong in there and you do look after them and you parent and everything else...there is always something more important to spend it on.

A colleague at work told me about when she was broke and supporting two kids on her own she was able to afford to 'save' her teeth but only because of the interest free loan WINZ gave her for it...ironically her case manager was busy at the time making appointments to have a tooth ripped out herself because she couldn't afford to 'save' it...I'm considered rich by WINZ so I won't be getting nout from them me self and well it's now too late for lotto to save the day for that tooth :buggerd:

The other reason that kept me away for so long is that I know too much and I didn't manage my anxiety levels around it so just gave in to being freaked out by it all.

Thankfully nothing quite as dramatic as one woman I can remember us treating who used to have to be literally carried into the place and delivered to the chair where she would sit shaking and crying and would hit out at us at times and OMG poor woman she was a real sad state of affairs.

I did however sweat and have palpitations and I was aware that I had to concentrate on my breathing to stop from hyper ventilating! Crikey...and I used to be sooo hard?! Kids I tells ya they really do change things! This woulda been a cake walk for me when I was younger. Hell I had my upper wisdom teeth removed over the course of a day in between patients!!!! AND kept on working sweet as...am I going mad....or is it too late ROFL

Anyway the point of above rant is I don't need the lecture, I don't need your open disapproval, I don't need you to assume that I can and should shell out over $1800 over the next 12 or so weeks (and then another $2.5K "ish") for this one iddy biddy little tooth! I'll just slice my damn steak a little thinner and hate myself a little more ok! MUCH CHEAPER :spanking:

ANyway - I am in efffing agony now that the blardy pain meds worn off but fark that is a large hole

[Number One]

mouth dry

out of it! I didn't know that :sunny:

Come to think of it I ain't much of a drooler!

[Mikkel]

out of it! I didn't know that :sunny:

Come to think of it I ain't much of a drooler!

Well, start practicing today ;)

I'm sure your hubby won't mind... :blip:

[hdus001]

My ex got quoted $28,000 NZD to get her teeth sorted.

So we both went to Hungary for a holiday and visited one of the top dentists in Budapest. The entire trip (including the dentist's bill, accommodation, and return airfares) was about $8,000 NZD.

I had a ACL surgery done in India for about $5000 all up (incl airfare, a room for myself in a hospital that resembles a 5* hotel for 2 weeks, 3 meals a day for 2 weeks, follow up doctor visits everyday for 2 weeks). Loved the daily sponge bath as well.. I was quoted $13000 in Christchurch.

[tri boy]

just come and see my mother!
she broke one of hers on a bit of toast a few months back. no money, plus having granddaughter for the day meant no dentist. she asked my assistance, i flat refused and hid on here.
she comes in not long after holding a pair of pliers wrapped in tissue and one bloody half tooth. got rid of the pain for free.

Holy hell. Ya mum is one tough bird. Respect.

[Pedrostt500]

A large Dyna Drill and a pair of Vice Grips for DIY dentistry.

[martybabe]

:mad: I need quite a lot of dentistry but I'm needle phobic and I have serious isues with the charges.

My teeth started to crumble when I lived in Jersey, gallons of diet coke when younger maybe but I just wouldn't pay the price. wait for it. £1000 for a filling and polish. Thats circa $2500 for one filling a bit of mister muscle and a scouring pad.

Kids marry a dentist.

[megageoff76]

Last time i went to the dentist, with a straight face I just told him to pull it out because it would just grow back anyway. The look on his face was priceless.

[imdying]

Linterman, AMP building, The Square, Christchurch.

Not the cheapest, but very good. Prides himself (in my experience) on causing the least discomfort possible. Does give light lectures on the benefits of flossing, certainly not overbearing though, and has tiny brushes and odds n sods as an alternative to flossing if you prefer.

Has TV googles you can wear during surgery (although hopefully you won't be there that long!).

He has looked after me well (for the last 16+ years), sends me a bill instead of demanding I pay up as soon as I'm out of the chair, and rings me every 6 months to remind me to schedule a visit when convenient. As it's a relatively pleasant experience, I generally do... he scrapes, cleans, polishes, xrays, scolds me on my lack of flossing, and sends me on my way. No idea what it costs per check up, but really, is dental hygiene really a place where one should worry about just trivialities?

Generally it appears that people who complain about the cost of dentistry, have bad personal hygiene habits, and as thus, have brought it upon themselves. Plenty of 'never even a filling' people out there...

[terbang]

Generally it appears that people who complain about the cost of dentistry, have bad personal hygiene habits, and as thus, have brought it upon themselves. Plenty of 'never even a filling' people out there...
Get off the grass, what a dumb and ignorant generalisation . There are lots of reasons that people need dentistry and feel the need to complain about the price, other than hygiene. As previously stated, the girls have difficulties after pregnancy, some of it could be diet. Personally I had a lot of dental work done due sporting injuries (kick boxing ) that eventually cost me a small fortune. So time to get down off yer high horse there Mr flossy perfect, use that organ (if you have one) that's between your ears and realize that others can have expensive dental issues along with good hygiene.

[imdying]

Get off the grass, what a dumb and ignorant generalisation . There are lots of reasons that people need dentistry and feel the need to complain about the price, other than hygiene. As previously stated, the girls have difficulties after pregnancy, some of it could diet. Personally I had a lot of dental work done due sporting injuries (kick boxing ) that eventually cost me a small fortune. So time to get down off yer high horse there Mr flossy perfect, use that organ (if you have one) that's between your ears and realize that others can have expensive dental issues along with good hygiene.
Sounds like a few too many knocks to the head did a bit more than dental damage... If you take a blatant generalisation to be an all encompassing statement, then you're a freakin moron.

[terbang]

Sounds like a few too many knocks to the head did a bit more than dental damage... If you take a blatant generalisation to be an all encompassing statement, then you're a freakin moron.
That was clever. I used the word generalisation, not all encompassing. Its called language and its english. Yup taken a few knocks to the head, but kept just enough brain cells, to be able to stay above calling someone a 'freakin moron' in lieu of any sort of normal intelligent response.

[Goblin]

No idea what it costs per check up, but really, is dental hygiene really a place where one should worry about just trivialities?

Generally it appears that people who complain about the cost of dentistry, have bad personal hygiene habits, and as thus, have brought it upon themselves. Plenty of 'never even a filling' people out there...Seems someone has more money than sense if he doesn't even know how much he pays. I hardly think that a few thousand dollars for a few fillings or whatever treatment is needed is trivial.

As for your generalization of people who complain about the rip off prices dentists charge, you'll find the ones with poor hygiene NEVER visit a dentist.

[Mikkel]

Nice baiting... :clap:

Anyway, just had a small thought. Try googling smoking and teeth (http://images.google.co.nz/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&q=smoking+teeth&btnG=Search+Images)... Apparently it's not just bad for your lungs.

And it costs a small fortune too - every year. So if you smoke and find that visiting the dentist is a bit expensive there might be cause for considerations on that point as well.


As for your generalization of people who complain about the rip off prices dentists charge, you'll find the ones with poor hygiene NEVER visit a dentist.
You mean something like this?
http://hotlard.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/bad-teeth.jpg

[imdying]

Seems someone has more money than sense if he doesn't even know how much he pays. I hardly think that a few thousand dollars for a few fillings or whatever treatment is needed is trivial.I worked it out, it's about $3 a week, or less than a tank of gas every 6 months... trivial. It's a bit like gas... I need it, I never bother checking the price.


As for your generalization of people who complain about the rip off prices dentists charge, you'll find the ones with poor hygiene NEVER visit a dentist.Until it's too late, and thus costs the aforementioned fortune... My dentist lets me know of potential problem areas if required, or anything in my brushing technique that he feels needs attention... at no extra charge. Bit like having my bike services, cost a little on a regular basis, but hopefully will reduce the chances of having to have the bike towed into a shop for major surgery.

He was not impressed with the way V (presumably, only diet change at the time) raped my teeth though :lol:

[Number One]

+ 1 Terbang AND Goblin

You saved me some breath with your last responses.

2 imdying...reference to saying it's only a small amount each day - bully for you if you can afford that small amount each day. My rent, power, food, phone, work travel costs, daycare, medicines, clothes and specialist health support for child and self ALL only cost a little every day too. That all adds up it ain't like Dentistry is all people have to try to take care of for themselves. I also have medical insurances, life, home, contents, car and other such necessities... Can't say I take too kindly to what I perceive as your "holier than though attitude" about going or not going but we are each entitled to our own stance on life.

Generalisation or not it's a bit arrogant to assume that those that complain about the cost are also just those that have poor oral hygiene and to say that the cost of dentistry is just trivial is a huge joke to me! Life is full of seemingly trivial expenses - and I prioritise all of them depending on the situation and available funds at the time.

I have a son who requires new glasses almost every 6 months...at over $400 a pop + he also has to wear contact lenses - which are made specialyl for him and cost over $100 each lense (NOT SET) PS: 4 year olds don't tolerate contacts too well and he is always losing them..meaning we need to regularly replace them.

SO yes you are right - the cost of my dentistry is trivial. I floss and brush and use savacol and until recently had had no troubles with my mouth what so ever...now the bad tooth is out I have one small filling to get done and all that after 12 years of not going in for my 6 monthly xray and lecture...I think that's pretty good going and frankly I think I made a much wiser financial choice by prioritising my sons vision above lining my dentists pockets for unnecessary visits.

[Goblin]

You mean something like this?
Yup! Mmmmmm. Great example of poor dental hygiene.


I worked it out, it's about $3 a week, or less than a tank of gas every 6 months... trivial. It's a bit like gas... I need it, I never bother checking the price.If that's just for the check up then that's about average. Wonder what he charges for a filling or a root canal....or an extraction.


Until it's too late, and thus costs the aforementioned fortune... My dentist lets me know of potential problem areas if required, or anything in my brushing technique that he feels needs attention... at no extra charge. Well he's clearly ripping himself off offering FREE brushing advice. :crazy:

[Number One]

ewwwwwwww Mikkel - I just saw that pic you loaded on page 3...YUCK!!!

I think I'd just shoot myself if I got even half way to that point - clearly I will have given up on myself anyway.....

Gross - pity I just had lunch...hope I can keep it down :pinch:

[Mikkel]

Well he's clearly ripping himself off offering FREE brushing advice. :crazy:

Or he is a professional who takes his job seriously. If you're a good dentist you won't need to do crap jobs and extend poor advice to keep your schedule booked out.


ewwwwwwww Mikkel - I just saw that pic you loaded on page 3...YUCK!!!

Sorry about that :devil2: they say that a picture says more than a thousand words though...

I've been going to the dentist about once a year - albeit not on a firm schedule or anything. My teeth are not exactly perfect and I've had quite a few fillings over the years.
Reading imdying's post I must say I had never thought about it that way - but I agree whole-heartedly though!
I'm sure I can cut back $3/week on either beer, coke, chocolate or coffee and go for a check-up every 6 months. :yes:

Considering how much dental repairs and replacements costs I would consider regular check-ups insurance. I doubt anyone would buy a $30k bike and not get insurance for it... (and unlike a bike, a replacement will NEVER be the same!)

[imdying]

rent, power, food, phone, work travel costs, daycare, medicines, clothes and specialist health support for child and self ALL only cost a little every day tooJust like the rest of us...


If that's just for the check up then that's about average. Wonder what he charges for a filling or a root canal....or an extraction.Prevention is better than the cure... but I've had a couple of fillings, I don't remember freaking out at the bill though :) (too bloody late by that stage, if I'd wanted to save money on trips to the dentist, I should stop drinking all that sugary crap! :lol:)

[imdying]

I'm sure I can cut back $3/week on either beer, coke, chocolate or coffee and go for a check-up every 6 months. :yes:Potentially less I guess, what with community services cards etc. Plus, he ain't the cheapest in town, just very good. At a guess, you could get it down to around 30c a day.

[007XX]

Prevention is better than the cure... but I've had a couple of fillings, I don't remember freaking out at the bill though :) (too bloody late by that stage, if I'd wanted to save money on trips to the dentist, I should stop drinking all that sugary crap! :lol:)

You are, by far, one of my very favourite stirrers, you know...:love:

Saying this, I owe my mother the fantastic genetics which allow me the unfair advantage of having teeth that never need a dentist.

My 10 year old has never had a cavitie in his young life yet, and that is partly due to his heritage, but also because of the fact he has been taught (like I was) that brushing is to take place a minimum of twice a day with flossing included. Also, he seldom eats any lollies (maybe once every couple of months), nor does he drink soft drinks...this more to control his ADHD, but it is a good habit for his overral health anyway.

It horrifies me when I see very young chidren with bad cavities...the poor little buggers are not given a chance.

[Number One]

Just like the rest of us...

Oh so you have dependants with specialist (and expensive) needs do you? AND with all that (and normal requirements) you still happen to have money to spend on visits to professionals that you may not actually need right then and there? Bully for you...I still think your attitude is a holier than thou and you incorrectly assume we have all reached a level of wealth that allows us to do ALL those things we all know that we should be doing but can't quite stretch the budget to do it now - disposable income? Insert Tui ad here:

[Timati]

Just had a tooth removed - Feels much better now it's completely numb but crikey my bank balance is still reeling!

Normally I'd have baulked at the concept of removing a secondary tooth but $$$ doesn't grow on trees and all the other options were going to cost at least 4 times the cost of the extraction AND I would still need to spend another 2.5K no later than 6 months after.

I don't think so! So now I have a very unattractive gap where once I had a gorgeous looking but pain ridden white tooth.....

Won't be belly laughing for a good while - tooth didn't look that big when it was in my mouth the hole looks fricken HUGE :blink:

Sad day but one I have brought on myself.

Considering the amount, you might as well make a trip to Brazil where it's cheap as and the service is top notch.

[imdying]

*woe is me snipped*Yes, like you, I too have bills that cannot be avoided, and thus require budgeting for. I do not consider 30c a day for something, that is free for the first 16 years anyway, so fundamentally important to good hygiene as being negotiable. The celebration of Christmas and birthdays are more negotiable than looking after oneself imho.

If you think you're suffering financially now, I've real bad news for you... a few years from now, when the economy follows the last drips of oil down the toilet, you'll really have something to moan about.

/edit: Oh, I believe many dentists these day will arrange payment terms too.

[Number One]

2 imdying...Woe is me? Bite my arse - I was actually making a comment about your own arrogance towards the plight of others less fortunate than yourself.

Dentistry is NOT always free when you are under 16 BTW - yes it is if you trust dental nurses...and SOME surgeries are members of that scheme..but that's besides the point anyway....Though I will add my son has every regular checkup he should be having and more - whether they are free or not.

To sit there and make sweeping statements about how others should be allocating their funds when actually you have no clue as to their circumstances, to suggest that only those with poor oral hygeine complain about the cost AND to suggest that people JUST SHOULD do it is both ignorant and arrogant so again you are just being "holier than thou" get off your high horse and go put your two cents worth elsewhere on someone elses thread.

I note too that 007 has suggested you are a stirrer...so my bothering to even dignify your comments with any response must be giving you ya jollies...hope it was good for you but I won't be bothering to reply to you again on this matter.

Again bully for you that you are so well sorted out AND PS I'm not looking for sympathy!

[nudedaytona]

I'm sorry to say, but its much harder to be a dentist than a doctor... There's only one institution in NZ that does dentistry (Otago) and I think only like 50 students a year get in from the how many hundreds applying... Maybe even thousands... Whereas don't they take about 200 or so med students a year?

It's a cartel, plain and simple. They restrict student intake, so there's less qualified dentists coming out. Not enough dentists = Huge fees because of low competition = good income for existing dentists, who are also the ones who set student numbers and qualifying standards.

The commerce commission should take a look at it.

[jrandom]

2 imdying... Bite my arse

Oh my!

:love:

[imdying]

To sit there and make sweeping statements about how others should be allocating their funds when actually you have no clue as to their circumstancesI won't apologise for suggesting that 30c a day to keep the largest open wound in the body clean is such good value that everyone should make it a priority regardless of their financial state.

[avgas]

Years ago people would say to me - you will loose teeth if you dont brush.
I failed to take that advice.
If they had said - you will spend $$$$'s in the future to keep your teeth i would brush the bloody things more often then cleaning my RG.

[007XX]

Oh my!

:love:

I told you she likes it too... :D

[terbang]

To sit there and make sweeping statements about how others should be allocating their funds when actually you have no clue as to their circumstances, to suggest that only those with poor oral hygeine complain about the cost AND to suggest that people JUST SHOULD do it is both ignorant and arrogant so again you are just being "holier than thou" get off your high horse and go put your two cents worth elsewhere on someone elses thread.

I note too that 007 has suggested you are a stirrer...so my bothering to even dignify your comments with any response must be giving you ya jollies...hope it was good for you but I won't be bothering to reply to you again on this matter.



Imdying takes simple pleasure out of winding people up. I use the term 'simple' with regard to the content of his posts and messages. His use of the rep system is nothing but simple, basic and abusive diatribe that doesn't come anywhere near the category of stirring. Stirring usually involves a degree of wit with the intelligent use of words. Look back at his post list and you will see that he can't help himself, it's full of little attacks, snarls and name calling. He just has has to be an angry little man.

[onearmedbandit]

Imdying takes simple pleasure out of winding people up. I use the term 'simple' with regard to the content of his posts and messages. His use of the rep system is nothing but simple, basic and abusive diatribe that doesn't come anywhere near the category of stirring. Stirring usually involves a degree of wit with the intelligent use of words. Look back at his post list and you will see that he can't help himself, it's full of little attacks, snarls and name calling. He just has has to be an angry little man.

So you do know him then?

[rachprice]

What's worse is that you know the dentist is a med-school drop out who didn't make the cut to be a doctor...

Nah thas crap everyone says that but sometimes I wonder will their amount of pay and doctors who are the smart ones.


I'm sorry to say, but its much harder to be a dentist than a doctor... There's only one institution in NZ that does dentistry (Otago) and I think only like 50 students a year get in from the how many hundreds applying... Maybe even thousands... Whereas don't they take about 200 or so med students a year?

Yes there is 230 at otago just under 200 at auckland but you will find that around 1500 will apply for med in otago alone. Im pretty sure dent isn't as popular though they do take less.
Besides dent only have to learn stuff about the head and neck med have to learn everything (guess Im a wee bit biased though)

[rachprice]

If your in dunedin you can go to the dent school for cheap dental care. Gotta be prepared to be practiced on though. Helps if you know people in dent that you trust!

[imdying]

*snip boo hoo*
Heh, still feeling beaten up by the Christchurch boys huh... you angry little man you... it is, and was, all in your head... :crybaby:

[Forest]

Years ago people would say to me - you will loose teeth if you dont brush.
I failed to take that advice.
If they had said - you will spend $$$$'s in the future to keep your teeth i would brush the bloody things more often then cleaning my RG.

On another forum I read, someone started a "what would you have done differently in your life" thread.

About half the people who replied said something like "I would have taken better care of my teeth".

[terbang]

you angry little man you...
And original as well.

[imdying]

About half the people who replied said something like "I would have taken better care of my teeth".

Beats the hell out of 'Not get AIDs' I guess :rofl:

[avgas]

On another forum I read, someone started a "what would you have done differently in your life" thread.
About half the people who replied said something like "I would have taken better care of my teeth".
As it currently stands my income over the last 6 months has been split 3 ways: a) Bike b) Misses c) dentist.
I should have just got a mistress to boost my self esteem - even if she was a hooker it would have been cheaper.

[Trudes]

A friend of mine said she lost a tooth for every child she had, she has 4, something to do with calcium she was told.
I had two wisdom teeth out a few years ago, whatever drugs they gave me worked because they had to tell me to stop laughing when they were trying to yank them out.... ended up with dry rot? afterwards which was more painful than the extraction.
I usuually go to the dentist every two years for a check up, love getting them cleaned and polished, thay always feel soooo good afterwards!! more for peace of mind than anything, because I kinda like my teeth and don't fancy having dentures later on in life.

[Str8 Jacket]

Yeah, well I have never ever had or needed a filling and Ive always taken excellent care of my teeth..... I grew up in foster homes so I could not get the braces I needed as the Govt didnt pay for cosmetic stuff like that when I was younger. By the time they did I was on the Independant Youth Benefit and 15 and I had missed my chance. Now I need braces and two teeth removed as they are rotting my gums. I dont have several thousands of dollars to get them done so I just put up with it.... Anyway I kinda like my fangs :devil2: I have also decided that my teeth give me character, cause that's something I lack.... :lol: