Bali2010

I thought I heard last time I visited Canada that Alberta either had or was planning to abolish the top up premiums. [sorry, already covered in post nr 8]

My understanding (from discussion with Public Health Dr in BC) is that it is heavily subsidised but not free in BC.

Admittedly, dental treatment is becoming more difficult in the UK too, as many 'NHS' dentists have filled their NHS allowances & only take on new private patients - it can be location dependent. At mine, even though registered as a NHS patient if I miss 2 appointments I am kicked out & would be back to searching for another NHS spot or go fully private.
I already know those who take out insurance to cover dental care in the UK as a result or use work benefits to cover it.

dboy

Not to mention the state of NHS dental care is at best, average. It appears to be that many Brits view the dentist as something that they have to do after putting it off as long as they are humanly able to do. Standard of dental health seems to be better here, I know mine has been.

I;ve always had decent health benefits with any company I've worked for. Any half decent co will provide some sort of coverage. It's as common here as negotiating salary. I think people tend to not factor in standard coverage when looking for a job - its the norm here.

bsmith

...Yes, virtually all Brits nowadays look like Shane MacGowan - thank goodness for Canadian dental health plans.

paolosmythe

It was a bit of a surprise to hear that my teeth, (considered to be pretty fine specimens by my old UK dentist) left much to be desired according to the Canadian dentist, who was eager to take all of my money.

Whilst completely straight, virtually all present and correct and only a bit 'off white', they certainly didn't suffer close scrutiny. It was depressing to say the least, to watch the product of the video camera surveying my molars on the TV monitor, especially as a mere cavity cost almost 300 notes!

I have no doubt that Canadian quality of life being superior to that of the average Limey, is at least in part thanks to its medical provision; but this didn't soften the blow of receiving an invoice for $1200 for 'free' health cover, especially as our collective income falls short of $30k right now!

dboy

I hear you. But dental care is not covered through medical unless its is 'medically' necessary. Moreover, I believe everyone has to pay BC Medical. It's all part of the "getting" settled here. Once you get set up with a decent employer and start receiving benefits, you'll be fine. Your smile will thank you

Lemons

My UK dentist would take one look at my teeth, say "Great!" and she'd usher me out within a minute.

When my Canadian dentist looked inside my mouth, he had a fit. A filling my old dentist had done on a cracked wisdom tooth has caused a huge hole in the next tooth along.

Wisdom teeth got yanked out, and there's a big root canal job on the way with my name on it... I feel like sending my old dentist the bloody bill!

ExKiwilass

I agree, the dental care is great.

benefit coverage through work is really variable though. If you're self-employed, which OH has been for years, you pay for it out of your own pocket.

Almost Canadian

Was s/he an NHS dentist? If so, you gets what you paid for

TrishP

I do find, however good the dentists are here, that they just HAVE TO carry out a series of X-rays and dear knows what other examinations (all chargeable, of course!) before they can actually get on with the job .... I fear, not always necessary, but Canadians do seem to love undergoing medical examinations, so don't question it.

fledermaus

the same with doctors. Patients seem to love the doctor that orders all the tests and writes prescriptions and hate the one who can diagnose from a clinical exam and won't give them antibiotics.

Alan2005

I think this is a very british thing. We expect the doctor to mostly do nothing except say come back if it's still a problem in a week or that it's probably stress. Maybe this is due to the nature of the funding for medication and canadians expect value for money on their insurance payments.

Relocateme

there are no monthly fees payable in Manitoba.

Alberta also recently did away with theirs so I heard

fledermaus

No, I think it is a universal thing but I see it happening much more so around here. I frequently have to take x-rays that are done rarely in the UK. I think there is a large amount of CYA medicine, plus stuff done to keep the patient happy.

Value for money would be spending wisely.

As a doctor I once worked with said - People prefer to die at the hands of a doctor they believe in than be cured by one they dont -

- with apologies for the lack of apostrophes etc. my keyboard is doing èÈéèÉÉ again

Alan2005

I can accept that - despite the seeming contradiction there. It's more universal here than elsewhere...

fledermaus

universal with a small u,,