Trying to grapple with the root cause of things in Daydreaming on the Porch
- July 31, 2021, 4:05 p.m.
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- Public
This is a story that goes to the root (pardon the pun) of the problems of modern life. The cost of everything has gotten out of control, especially health care, dental work, and housing.
This is yet another cautionary tale as well as a morality tale, when you look at it in all its complex dynamics. Yes, getting a tooth extracted (or pulled as they ised to say) for the first time ever this summer has made me ponder a lot of things. And, of course, I have a huge tendency to do this and write about it so I can make more sense of it all.
So in June, I finally went back to the dentist after skipping two six-month checkups and cleanings. After I saw the look on his face after he examined my teeth following a cleaning, I knew the news was not good, but I was horrified when my dentist told me that not only did I need a root canal in one tooth but another, larger tooth was going to have to be extracted. I had felt a little pain in that tooth but nothing much. I was dumbfounded.
Long story short, I spent the next two months until last week tending to those two areas of my dental health. I have this fear of a major toothache, since my pain threshold is pretty low. But never have I had this much to deal with. I guess I’ve been lucky, but still.
The cost: Root canal and crown - $2,400. Extraction, implant and crown - $6,000. Dental insurance covered approximately $2,000 of the total $8,400. Billing to me: $6,400.
So there goes a huge whack at my retirement savings. Just like that! Pow! I now have much more empathy for people who can’t afford these outrageous costs. I was fortunate. The endodontist and oral surgeon were great. I had virtually no pain. I don’t have to go around with a hole in my mouth.
I realize endodontics and oral surgery are very specialized fields. Would you want the job of pulling people’s teeth out as they sit there rigid with anxiety or fear? But why? Why does dental work cost so much?
Last updated July 31, 2021
gypsy spirit ⋅ July 31, 2021 (edited July 31, 2021)
Edited
dental work, especially major dental work, is very expensive over here in New Zealand too.....but at least our regular health system is mostly affordable or free. Prices are ridiculous and so often far beyond the capabilities of many people. Currently here our supermarkets are being investigated for recent extreme price hikes.
It seems greed is everywhere, and inequality. Extremes of wealth and poverty are a huge part of today's world, but in the future I believe it will finally equalize more as people advance spiritually and are more open to sharing and caring. Unfortunately that won't be within our lifetimes though. so I guess we simply have to prioritize spending and accept its all part of the process of humanity's slow awakening. take care my friend, p
Oswego gypsy spirit ⋅ July 31, 2021
Very true. The spread of enlightenment will take more than a few lifetimes, very likely. Kind, unselfish, educated and intelligent beings are in a minority now, but if our civilization survives human-caused global warming, we might eventually be worthy of calling ourselves civilized.
ConnieK ⋅ July 31, 2021
Dentists have a high rate of suicide, too. The cost of dentistry IS high and dentists do make good money but there are a lot of middle men, especially for implants. It's the overhead. Liability/malpractice coverage gobbles up half of everything. Equipment is expensive and needs frequent updating. Staffing is costly (although they're cheap with their pay to their help). More than anything, though, it's insurance and the high rate of lawsuits.
Oswego ConnieK ⋅ July 31, 2021 (edited July 31, 2021)
Edited
Interesting. I never considered the malpractice aspects. Know their premiums are high but whatever their takes after the middlemen get theirs has still got to be huge. I’m guessing $500 an hour. Lawyers are making $400-500 + an hour. So when you look at it that way...
ConnieK Oswego ⋅ July 31, 2021
Dentists in my area are charging $100 to $200 per hour. Attorneys charge $100, corporate attorneys double that. Nobody's getting poor in either profession, that's for sure.
Deleted user ⋅ August 01, 2021
YEOUCH in more ways than one! I'm sorry you had to deal with that.
Marg ⋅ August 01, 2021
Wow that’s a lot of money! Once again I’m forever grateful for our NHS here - we do still have to pay a nominal amount but it’s a fraction of the real cost.
Oswego Marg ⋅ August 01, 2021
You are lucky. We can get very quick dental and health services with little waiting, but the cost is astronomical.
MageB ⋅ August 01, 2021
Yes, I just had an implant, and the color of the new tooth is wrong. LOL
Oswego MageB ⋅ August 01, 2021
Mine will probably be, too. Fortunately it’s not a front tooth. Lol
Sabrina-Belle ⋅ August 02, 2021
That is an awful lot of money. Most people here are able to get treatment on the Nhs, although it wouldn't cover implants and more complicated root canal work. Even private treatment though is a lot cheaper here.
Oswego Sabrina-Belle ⋅ August 02, 2021
I still am shocked over the cost of this work. It’s beyond all understanding.