Dentist

Nearly half of all Australians don’t visit the dentist regularly. Cost and anxiety are the stumbling blocks, and no wonder.

Hold still, this won't hurt a bit. Photo: Thinkstock

I took my kids for a check-up last week.  My 12-year-old, who has never had a moment’s dental drama, leapt smugly into the chair and had the smile wiped from her face when she was told she’d need her first filling. 

The dentist anaesthetised her gum with a large needle and occupied her mouth with his mirror, an amalgam condenser and the hygienist’s suction implement.  You’d think this would have impeded her capacity to talk, but no. 

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  • marley says:

    02:10pm | 02/05/11

    Umm, last time I went to a dentist in Canada, the charges were comparable to what I pay here.  Might even have been a bit more. Read more »

  • John Guru says:

    12:52pm | 02/05/11

    Cost of dental work in Australia is ridiculously expensive, besides taking so many visits, x-rays etc.  Suggest people consider having their dentistry done overseas and save heaps. Last year I visited a specialist periodontist at a major private hospital in Thailand - cost about A$25.  Recent dental work costs in… Read more »

 

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