Snowy560

Back in the 1990s I had 2 root canals done by a regular dentist in the UK and each failed. When the first one failed the dentist persuaded me to have the tooth extracted which I did but I wish I hadn't. This is because with the second failure I got a second opinion and another dentist referred me to a specialist who saved the tooth. This was 21 years ago. Where I went in London there were 6 dentists and all they each did was root canals. She drilled straight through my gold crown and did the work in 2 sessions. It was £450 in 1996: I'm sure a lot more now.

Aviator

Not necessarily. When an employee qualifies for the employer EH benefit, they can opt in, or opt out. If they opt out because a partner has EH somewhere else, they could qualify with no examination at a later date if their OH lost their EH, such as through retirement or a leaving their employer.

If however, the employee declines the EH because they decide they don't want it for any other reason than above, a medical would be required if they later decide they want to apply to join. The risk is also not getting accepted.

It is not a pool of money, it is an insurance benefit, the insurer is out to make money. If the draw on the plan exceeds premiums paid, premiums go up.

Aviator

That many could be hazardous, not to mention time consuming!

suzeandmatt

Actually tempted by this! Haha I mentioned it to the husband and I could tell he wasn’t apposed to the idea as he added “maybe we could do that and both get done what we need and at least make a holiday out of it?” Haha I feel like if I’m doing something I really hate I may as well try and cushion the blow!!
Do you mind letting me know what dentist practise you actually use?


Thanks to everyone though for the insights, advise etc. It’s something I’d never really thought about- but now, if I could do it all again- before heading out here I should have gone in the UK and had absolutely all work done! Oh well. Can’t change that now!

I did look on the Scottish healthcare website and it said you’re still entitled to NHS rates if you’re a UK citizen and living abroad if you’ve not been living outside the country for more than 3 years (for me it’s only 1yr 2 months currently) and can prove that you had full time employment before you left the UK- which I can.
And man- Scottish rates are CHEAP! (Having not been for 12 years- the last time I went I was 18 and in full time education so it was all covered anyway). But seeing things like £4.99 for 2 X-rays when I just paid $250 for a bunch, £7 for a simple extraction, £79 for a crown even! - just makes me feel a bit fed up! Wish I’d taken advantage of it when I lived there!! Morals have been learnt!

But anyway- thanks again- first stop is to get a second opinion at another dentist- Then if they say the same thing- think about addressing one of the issues this insurance cycle, and then either just waiting till next insurance cycle or look into getting it done somewhere cheaper.

Cheers!!

scilly

Is there a dental school at the university???

It's often worth while to check it out if there is ......... work will usually be done for free or a very low price.

Dental students need experience, and their work is closely supervised by faculty.

suzeandmatt

Given that I had a truly horrific childhood dentist and I’m now terrified of any dentist...no way am I allowing an unqualified person in there when I’ve been told I need specialist work! Haha
Possibly a good idea for those who need simple work/aren’t scared- but definitely not for me.

ann m

Yep, I get all that - but you are talking about Extended Health Care. Group or private Dental coverage is a pot of money with a limit, regardless. I've never known anyone apply for dental and get refused. Health - yes, for sure...

Simon Legree

[QUOTE=suzeandmatt;12455520]Actually tempted by this! Haha I mentioned it to the husband and I could tell he wasn’t apposed to the idea as he added “maybe we could do that and both get done what we need and at least make a holiday out of it?” Haha I feel like if I’m doing something I really hate I may as well try and cushion the blow!!

Do you mind letting me know what dentist practise you actually use?



I go to Dr. Alma Luna for general dentistry and Dr. Hernandez for orthodontic stuff. Both US trained. Dr Hernandez teaches at the uni in Loma Linda, CA in the summer months.

check out molarcity.com

It's also the place for glasses. Meyer Optical is who I have used for many years. Never had any problems. Hundreds of $$ less than here.

neilcumming

I have a dental appointment tomorrow at a periodontist for an assessment $540 for one hour! I really only want my teeth cleaned but my dentist wont do this until I see the specialist.However Im not prepared to pay $1000s for dental treatment as I feel it is a complete rip off and will be getting any expensive treatment done in Mexico.
A work colleague was quoted here in Calgary $7000 for his treatment its too much money so he is also having it done in Mexico.

BristolUK

As I've just had a couple of root canals done I felt partly qualified and I was going to offer, but okay.

Just to say though...it was an absolute doddle in the chair. Probably easier for me to say than for you to read but I think those who recoil at the idea of root canal treatment probably do so for any kind of dental treatment.

The session was a little longer than usual but if anything it was easier than having a filling done. My biggest concern was actually falling asleep!

uk_grenada

Why would ine have anything apart from implants done privately in the uk, the nhs will do you a mouth full of crowns for about 400 and my private/nhs dentist says theres no meaningful difference.

Whaat he does say - never let a dentist extract a tooth using the classical rolling technique. It makes the tooth come out easier but damages/weakens the jaw, making implants a more difficult process. They have to be pulled straight out, and if you know theres an implant going in, you x-ray it there and then, and insert bone powder then if needed, 3 months later - implant.

scilly

They are NOT unqualified.

What on earth gave you that idea?

Would you have considered your husband in the last year of his PhD as unqualified in his field of expertise? Same thing

They have practised and practised on dummies before allowed to touch a human, and they are closely supervised by VERY experienced teachers.



And you can't possibly have had any worse school dentist that I experienced back in the UK ............ remove teeth was their remedy.


If it is any consolation, going to the dentist here is nothing at all like the school dentist in the UK, who seem to have been trained to be masochistic sadists!


PS ............. neither myself nor any of my family or friends are dentists, but I did go to the Liverpool Dental School way back when and had some of the best treatment ever, and I have friends here who swear by the UBC Dental School


Just a cheaper option for you ............ and one that I personally would rather take than going to Mexico, after all the horror stories we get in the press here caused by doing so that have to be corrected by Canadian dentists at even great cost to the patient.

Research Mexico very carefully if you decide to go that route, despite the great recommendations given on here. Not everyone has had the same experience.

scilly

My husband does fall asleep in the chair ........ even when he was having root implants done!

I haven't yet managed going to sleep, but I've been close ..... I have a dentist who insists that you be comfortable before he starts any work. I remember going one time the day after having a biopsy on my back that had left me with a couple of stitches just below my shoulder blade. I warned the dentist I might have to change position if it got too sore .......... he went and brought a cushion to see if that would help.

In fact, I didn't have any problem, but he was really helpful.

suzeandmatt

Believe me when I say my fear is very real. As much as I find it totally pathetic and it embarrassed me beyond belief and has ultimately lead to the problems I have- I take some slight consolation knowing the person working on my teeth has at least passed their exams.

And my husband wouldn’t have passed his Viva a year before his PhD ended, so yeah- I’d say he was unqualified a year before the end. Haha

I am certainly not hopping on a plane to Mexico tomorrow to get dental work- believe me!

My first stop is to pluck up the courage to go to another dentist in the city and just get a second opinion if anything in the order to which they think I should get the work done. Then I’ll look at what I can afford. If I can afford one of the treatments using my insurance here then I’ll start there.
I’ll hope the other treatment can be put off for a year and as well as waiting for the next insurance cycle I will be saving up specifically to pay the rest.
If the second opinion sounds as urgent as the first dentist and that one treatment won’t wait till next year then I’ll be forced to look into alternatives.
Whether that be flying back to the UK, a dental school here or even another country.
It’s not a decision I’m taking lightly- I know it’s my health but it’s also money I don’t currently have available.

But thank you for your advice- even if you do sound rather condescending.

And thank you again for everyone else’s info and suggestions. I do appreciate it all. It’s given me things to think about and possible options- even if I am still 100% terrified! Haha

ann m

Sedation dentistry is a thing. Google, there are many around the city that offer this for nervous patients. I was you 10 years ago. Terrified in a way I knew was irrational really. However, it’s been a fairly positive experience here. ( I don’t go for sedation).

You’d be so proud, 😂 I actually show up for work when I need it! 😉