Question:
There is the one, of possible answer(s) on FAQ:
"Does anyone know of any low cost (LC) dental care for those of us who don't
have insurance."
On this BIG planet you can find some of states, where dental care have one
of the best tehnologies support (T), on one hand, on the other hand, the
same dental care have one of the lowest financial support (F). The result
(R) is R=T+F=LC.
price list
To come (fly) there and back ~1000$.
Hotel (for 7 day's)=300$
28 metalkeramic (Vita) crowns =1900$
2 dentures 400$
Answer:
The official Swedish pricelist (surely $1,500 will cover
the trip + board and lodging from anywhere in the world)
28 metalkeramic (Vita) crowns: $8,500
2 dentures: $600
In Sweden no dentist is allowed to take a penny more than
this. Or they might lose their right to practice within the
system. Next year, however, it will be a free pricelist, just
like in the States. Prices abouve may then even become
doubled since Swedish dentists have been underrated the
last 24 yrs.
Or why do you think American dentists can charge three
times what we do (plus cost of living, staff, etc is lower
in the States). Are they overpaid? German dentists take
more than double than what they do in Sweden which is
by far the most inexpensive country in the world when it
comes to dentistry (relation carestandard/price).
Dentistry is a difficult job if performed the way it should
be performed. And if it is done that way it is the best
and most economic deal for the patient.
If you want a Rolls Royce do you pay for a Volkswagen?
(Sweden excluded since here it is vice verca)
Anyway, how do you put a price tag on something like dentistry?
How can you calculate how much effort is put here and there,
and why it costs this and not that? How do you decide on your margin?
Well yes, since you asked, I think the American dentistry is overpriced. And
not only American. So, let's talk capitalism: Almost any industry is
influenced by the market, its demand for particular products and services.
The market often dictates prices set by the ratio between demand and supply.
To stay competitive, the market requires manufactures, or service providers
to improve their products or services in a way that they will be cheaper to
produce, they'll perform better and last longer. etc. If there's a niche in
the market for it and someone has enough money and thinks it's worth to buy a
Rolls Royce, then fine, it's his choice, however many others choose much
cheaper and it doesn't mean much worth alternative.
The medical field has somehow managed to stay untouched.
If we apply the same market rule to the dentistry, what do we find?
Do we have enough people needed treatment? Yes, we do.
Are many dentist swept with the workload? No, far from it.
So, what does it mean in the free market situation? Only one thing:
there's clearly the difference in what people can/prepared to pay
for the services and what they are charged for that.
Why doesn't the adjustment of the market work here? The answer
is most like to be the 'unionism' and monopoly of the industry, and
that when you are sick, there's not much you can do about it yourself.
We can argue that almost any medical profession requires a lot of knowledge
and experience and thus should be paid well above the rest of occupations.
However, it can be easily argued that many engineering, computing, research
and scientific qualifications require far more amount of knowledge and
constant studying through one's life. And finally, is the dentistry much more
responsible occupation because it deals with the issues of human health? The
same can be said of many other occupations. One has to design and build say,
a building or a bridge, so they don't fall down, a car that is safe to drive,
a plane that will bring you safely to your destination, a nuclear power
station that doesn't explode. Of course we all, including dentists use those
things every day so, why can't their fees and charges be more acceptable to
the rest of society? You tell me. :-)
