windward

+1.

I don't see where the argument is to change the Canadian healthcare system, though I don't have access to it at the mo. Improve maybe.

If anything from what I see, Canucks are spoiled compared to what I'm used to. People in their mid twenties going for chiropractic treatment, massages, god knows what else, on company healthcare plans.

I've not yet met a Canadian who doesn't see regular tooth scaling and polishing as some god-given right for instance.

I foresee a healthier future here than I did in the UK, but maybe that's just down to awareness.

Iain Mc

I must admit the dental here on insurance is just terrific.

<- gleaming smile.

Steve_P

By regular it can mean every six months a ridiculously short time span if you ask me.

This is due to an excellent PR campaign by the dental community, and the insurance companies are stupid enough to pay for it. Although I think most are back to once a year.

Chiropractic is pushing to have babies brought in for adjustments WTF.

shelley748

Quebec has its own rules and regulations!!!

dboy

Dental care here is outstanding. After 16 years here and going to the dentist every 6 months i've spent a grand total of 0 yes 0 dollars on my noshers. I was actually aware of the poor state of my two brother's and my father's teeth the last time I saw them.

I also get unlimited chiro and 12 massages a year - although i don't use them. Also, free optician exams, and $400 every 2 years for glasses, free prescriptions. The list goes on and on. Also spouses and children are covered as well, with some exceptions and limitations.

I guess that it varies from company to company but i've had found it to be good overall.

dbd33

By way of contrast, my children's "American teeth" that is, perfectly aligned, standard format teeth cost me about $20,000 per child with a tax deduction of about two grand per kid (it's hard to work that out because it's income percentage limited per year and the dentist pre-billed us to exploit the deduction). I have, and have never had, any sort of insurance.


Immigrants should assume that uninsured dental care will cost and cost, at least, $2,000/yr each.

startwin

Depending on what you have done. I no longer have dental insurance, and dental bills for both of us last year came to way less than that. Fillings included.

BristolUK

I vaguely recall some loophole existing somewhere...something about paying and having something done, but technically one was paying for the room or something like that.

BristolUK

I paid around $900 for 5 fillings (rebuilds) and then $300 for a clean. I didn't go back for the next clean.
My old dentist in the UK (NHS) used to clean and polish as part of the check-up.

Tangram

But I guess you are not in the orthodontist stage.

dbd33

Quite. I don't suppose my bills average out to more than $200/year but I wasn't a child in Canada.

dboy

I guess the RCMP like us to have good teeth for some reason. Perhaps it's in case we have to bite someone to death.

Alberta_Rose

"Treatment" possibly, but I know that you may have to wait a few months for a CAT scan or MRI here, but have the option to pay for it and get it done privately straight away ......

When one of our patients declared that to be monstrous, the ortho-surgeon muttered, "Welcome to Canadian Healthcare!"

startwin

No absolutely not. Anyone with kids needs to have a dental plan if at all possible. Mind you, neither of my kids ever needed orthodontics, just staightforward dentistry.

My last clean, deep scaling, polish, flouride, Xrays and checkup cost $274. No cavities

Novocastrian

You are a true immigrant. I have coverage for dental, but haven't ever been to a dentist in Canada. My sons are developing first class British teeth. I consider that my sole contribution to maintaining their roots.