The Tribune

By Dr Andre Clarke

“It seems like the cost of dental care keeps increasing. Dentists charge too much. Why should I pay so much for such a simple dental procedure?”

It appears that a financial investment into dental health is viewed as unimportant. The common cries that individuals have regarding the cost of dental treatment are numerous. However, the cost of medical healthcare services is generally accepted as an unavoidable necessity.

The importance of dental healthcare should be viewed as equal to the importance of medical healthcare. It is seldom that a medical procedure would be put off because of costs; however, many patients are inclined to delay or forgo dental procedures because of cost. They are willing to risk their dental health and unknowingly their medical health (because of the dento-medical connection) to save funds.

An important difference between medicine and dentistry is the perceived degree of control a patient has about whether he should treat his diagnosed dental health problem. The dental patient seems to have full control over how and when to address the professionally diagnosed dental health problem.

When a dentist makes a diagnosis, he is often guilty of presenting the treatment options to the patient based on what he perceives the patient’s budget to be. It is difficult to envision a medical doctor presenting treatment options biased by a patient’s budget, albeit influenced by insurance coverage.

Nonetheless, the view that dental problems do not represent health emergencies and therefore do not require immediate remedy is erroneous and pervasive. This misconception often causes the patient to create a false separation in their mind between the mouth and the rest of the body. The continuum of the physiology of the mouth and body is not remembered and it is this perception, which creates the tendency to leave dental problems untreated.

A delay in seeking dental treatment does not make the problem go away. It will just predispose to a more involved dental procedure to solve a previously less complex problem. It must be reiterated that delaying dental treatment does not make a dental problem go away. It will make it get worse.

Tooth and gum diseases are generally accepted as chronic, progressive and destructive. They become more severe over time. If a patient delays in seeking care, the cost of the inevitable dental intervention will generally be higher than if the patient had sought dental care at the first indication of pain.

Of note, most dental insurance plans, offer complete reimbursement of cleanings and checkups and only a percentage reimbursement of more complex procedures. The dental insurance companies are being prudent with company funds and are also encouraging patients to invest in preventative measures instead of restorative measures. It is the strongest possible financial incentive to brush, floss, visit the dentist regularly and eat sensibly.

When compared to other surgical specialities that perform procedures in ambulatory care centres and hospital operating rooms, dental surgeons usually carry the burden of all of their operating costs. This is because they perform procedures in their own offices. The dental surgeon therefore has to absorb the cost of equipment, supplies, electricity that powers equipment, x-ray machines, malpractice insurance and office space rental. In addition, the dental healthcare professional has to absorb one of the biggest expenses: the cost of staff salaries. The staff is needed to make appointments, submit insurance forms, perform dental assistant duties and even dental hygienist duties.

All of this cost absorption is done with little or no ability to leverage suppliers for major discounts on materials and supplies. This lack of leverage is mainly due to the dental surgeon’s inability to buy wholesale or in bulk, as a large healthcare centre or hospital would. Therefore in reality, dentists do not make more than medical doctors or any other healthcare specialist because they have very large operational costs and large overheads.

Regardless of the aforementioned facts, it is unethical for a dental healthcare professional to place inappropriate fees on patients, to mitigate operation costs. All ethical matters are usually addressed by the local dental association and the local dental council. These organisations seek to ensure good practice by dental healthcare professionals.

Your health is your most important asset. The health of your mouth and the health of your body is worth an investment in time and if necessary, money. There is a connection between the mouth and the body that is scientifically proven and no longer can be ignored. Be prudent about your decisions concerning your overall health. One part of your body is not more important that the other. All parts are equally important. Keep your mouth alive.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended and may not be treated as, a substitute for professional medical/dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or dental professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical/dental condition. Never disregard professional medical/dental advice or delay in seeking it because of a purely informational publication. If you have questions, please send email to dr_andreclarke@hotmail.com.