Also as an addendum, Americans spent about $110 billion on dental care in 2011 (only about 5% of all medical expenses). Considering the fact that we have 320 million people that works out to less than $350 per person per year.
However some people who need dental care do not get it. So assume the real cost (if we had zero deductible, zero copay public dental insurance for all) would be closer to $400 per capita. Maybe higher, who knows. I’m just assuming an extra 15% of dental care if it were ‘free’ via the public sector. On one hand you’d have more dental usage, on the other people who ended up getting extractions, dentures or root canals could’ve gotten them treated when they were just fillings if they had no copays or deductibles. But assume 15% extra.
That still only works out to an average of about $133 a month for a family of 4, about $33 for a single person. Seeing how employers would cover a lot of the cost, it wouldn’t be that expensive for employees.
So the argument that the rates would be too high doesn’t make sense to me.
well as a dentist I’d have to agree with others, Fear Itself nailed it.
I think the highest benefit amount that I’ve seen in all my years is $2500. Most policies are about $1000 or $1500. Coverage of course varies but often it covers two exams and cleanings a year at 100%. Most other procedures have a deductable and cover a percentage. Generally fillings are 80%, crowns and dentures 50%, root canals and extractions vary more usually 50% but often 80%.
For many people who take good care of their teeth, $1500 is often enough. Of course thaings can go wrong even if one cares for there teeth. Accidents do happen. It amazes me though how may people have insurance and still wait until there is a problem before they come in and then wonder why it costs so much. Three years ago that little cavity would have been a $125 filling now it is a $1800 root canal, build up and crown.
I have VA coverage for my medical health, but there is absolutely no dental coverage. So I have zero coverage for any dental procedures. If I wanted dental work, I would have to pay for any of it out of my own pocket. I’m thinking about contacting a local tech school which offers courses in dental assistant to see if they have a need for people to work on.
I also think that a lot of people view tooth loss an inevitable and see no reason to invest in regular cleaning or repair. The attitude is that if your tooth is bothering you just yank it out. My in-laws are largely like that, a plenty have full dentures by 30. They are amazed/disbelieving I still have a full set of naturals at 50.
I’m starting to realize how lucky I am. I brush once a day, never floss, eat plenty of candy (not every day, but probably a couple of times a week) and have all my teeth in my mid 40s. Even my wisdom teeth. Have never had anything more major done than a filling or two. And no new fillings for about 20 years, though I had my old amalgam fillings replaced a few years ago.
The things I do do that my dentist likes are chewing a lot of Trident, wearing a bite guard at night, and getting a checkup and professional cleaning 4x a year (they classified me as a periodontal patient about 15 years ago when I started going to the dentist again after not having had dental insurance since high school and my gums were kind of pissed off. My gums are now very healthy but as long as they keep up that designation my insurance pays for 4 cleanings a year, and I loove getting my teeth cleaned - for real!)
It would have to be, right? But mine isn’t. I’m guessing my employer is paying some of it, unless the insurer is paying a lower rate than I do for cleanings. I’ll have to check.
In the UK, dentistry is only partly covered by the NHS.
£18.00 - covers an examination, diagnosis (including X-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, a scale and polish if needed, and application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant.
£49.00 - covers any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or removal of teeth.
£214.00 - covers crowns, dentures and bridges.
This is not the full picture though. Many dentists, especially those in more prosperous parts of the country, do not accept NHS patients at all, or sometimes just a limited number. This can make problems for those of us who can’t or don’t want to pay the full cost.
Private charges are complex, but a simple exam appt, Hygienist, Dentomycin and Preventive fissure sealant would cost around £100. Complex work with bridges or false teeth can easily run up to £2000 and beyond. Insurance can be found to cover this from £150 to £250 a year, depending on the level of cover. It normally paye 80% of the cost.
Yes, I’m confused too.
The government will ay for dental work if medically (!) necessary for example, for welfare cases, etc.
For the average working Joe, just like in the USA, it’s your pocket or your employer’s insurace, or more likely a combination.
Most plans I’ve heard of in Canada offer 80% to 100 for basics like regular teeth cleaning and minor fillings, 50% to 80% for more serious stuff like root canals, and for major expenses like dentures, crowns, and (child’s) orthodontic work, 50%.
Lower-paying employers, typically, made the plans optional and split the premium cost if they offered them (my current employer does too). Often one spouse working a ta crappy job has the other spouse’s benefits and will not need additional or redundant coverage. Minimum wage jobs typically offer no benefits but small employers may offer the chance to sign up through a chamber-of-commerce sponsored plan for small business.
There were a few people where I worked that were obviously not taking care of their teeth, nor taking advantage of the dental plan. The majority, however, did well and maybe (like me) have several fillings, maybe a root canal or three by thier late 50’s.
Ignoring the snarky exchange about Canada, basically most first world employers have a limited budget for benefits. IMHO it seems the USA eats up most of this budget providing medical health care, whereas other countries fund this from taxes and the employer entices prospective hires with additional benefits like dental, prescription, and retirement - dental benefits which in the end cost the employee less out of pocket for various procedures.
I’m very thankful they keep dental premiums very low compared to Medical. The majority of the time I only need routine cleanings. Every few years I need something big like a root canal (I’ve had 3 in my life) and crowns (5 in my mouth).
I’d lose money overall if my premium was jacked up to cover major expenses. I much rather pay 50% for the occasional root canal and have low yearly premiums.
I did get sticker shock from my one implant two years ago. Oh my goodness. I wrote checks and wrote checks. 3 grand at least and Delta Dental did cover about 40%. I had to wait until the next calendar year to get my crown on that implant. I’d maxed out for the previous year.