L
leela
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 172
- Location
- Canada
I think this site is primarily UK, but there are people from lots of countries on here, and I'm just curious as to how dental care is covered (or not) in different parts of the world.
I'm in Canada, and here you have to pay for it - it's all private (unlike health care which is covered for everyone). But most of us who work full time have dental benefits through our employer which usually covers 80% - 100% - up to a certain amount. I find the coverage to be excellent through these plans, or at least that has been my experience. It's not just basic things that are covered either. For example - when I get my root canal done at my endodontist, that is covered 100%, plus the crown and even the $400 for the anesthesiologist is all covered.
I'm not sure how it works with kids cause I don't have any, but I think they are covered by the government up to a certain age - perhaps 12.
But for people who have no benefits through their employer it can be rough. I know someone who doesn't, and she had to pay herself for 2 root canals - over $2000.
How exactly does it work in the UK? Is NHS a public system? What exactly does NHS stand for? And you also have a private system? Does the public system cover everyone? If so, is it just basic dentistry that is covered?
Do you have insurance through an employer or whatever that will help you pay for private? And I'm getting the impression that the private system is better than the NHS system - is that correct?
What about the folks from the US? I may be wrong, but I get the feeling from watching a lot of CNN that the insurance companies would rather do anything than pay out benefits for medical and dental coverage - but maybe that's wrong? If insurance does cover your dental benefits, is it good coverage?
I hope this isn't too boring, but I find it interesting to see how different countries handle dental costs!!
Thanks to everyone who chooses to reply!
I'm in Canada, and here you have to pay for it - it's all private (unlike health care which is covered for everyone). But most of us who work full time have dental benefits through our employer which usually covers 80% - 100% - up to a certain amount. I find the coverage to be excellent through these plans, or at least that has been my experience. It's not just basic things that are covered either. For example - when I get my root canal done at my endodontist, that is covered 100%, plus the crown and even the $400 for the anesthesiologist is all covered.
I'm not sure how it works with kids cause I don't have any, but I think they are covered by the government up to a certain age - perhaps 12.
But for people who have no benefits through their employer it can be rough. I know someone who doesn't, and she had to pay herself for 2 root canals - over $2000.
How exactly does it work in the UK? Is NHS a public system? What exactly does NHS stand for? And you also have a private system? Does the public system cover everyone? If so, is it just basic dentistry that is covered?
Do you have insurance through an employer or whatever that will help you pay for private? And I'm getting the impression that the private system is better than the NHS system - is that correct?
What about the folks from the US? I may be wrong, but I get the feeling from watching a lot of CNN that the insurance companies would rather do anything than pay out benefits for medical and dental coverage - but maybe that's wrong? If insurance does cover your dental benefits, is it good coverage?
I hope this isn't too boring, but I find it interesting to see how different countries handle dental costs!!
Thanks to everyone who chooses to reply!
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