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Dental care for poor

MaryM9

I think it would be a wonderful charity, if the dentists of Galway would give one day each ( there's enough dentists to go around ) per month, to, look after those on social welfare, to do their teeth for free. I just want them to take a moment to imagine how they would survive on less than 200 euro a week to cover ALL their needs. I suppose this is as a call to their consciences, to kick in, and operate on a 'need not greed' basis for ONE day per month, independent of the government - for no other reason other than it is the descent and right thing to do.

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MaryM9

The Dagda wrote: »

Hi Mary, I believe your efforts would be better spent on demanding a better service from the state. Not least because we all pay for it...

I was just knocking - you get 3 chances to close the door. This knock was for the suffering, its up to each how they respond, we all know the speed the state works at - a long time to have a toothache!!! : )

MaryM9

Shakespeare's Sister wrote: »

But... they might not be able to afford to lose that much money. It's not all about "greed", they have to pay for the upkeep of their business. They worked very hard to get where they are, bit bitter to be pissed off at their success.

I don't question that they worked hard, I am talking about something else, that does not make me bitter I merely speak for those in need, and, no, I do NOT believe that a dentist cannot afford i day a month for those who have nothing!!!!

Big Davey

POOR lol people on the dole are the new rich in this country all you need is a few kids and a council house and you are set for life.
The harder you work in this country the more the country screws you.
If you want to help the POOR help people who are struggling to pay a mortgage and a baby sitter etc while they earn a crust to be bent over time after time by this country.

MaryM9 wrote: »

I think it would be a wonderful charity, if the dentists of Galway would give one day each ( there's enough dentists to go around ) per month, to, look after those on social welfare, to do their teeth for free. I just want them to take a moment to imagine how they would survive on less than 200 euro a week to cover ALL their needs. I suppose this is as a call to their consciences, to kick in, and operate on a 'need not greed' basis for ONE day per month, independent of the government - for no other reason other than it is the descent and right thing to do.

Owenw

MaryM9 wrote: »

I was just knocking - you get 3 chances to close the door. This knock was for the suffering, its up to each how they respond, we all know the speed the state works at - a long time to have a toothache!!! : )

Why don't you start your own charity to fund specialised dental treatment for the poor?

Give a little, it halts the rot

Shakespeare's Sister

MaryM9 wrote: »

I do NOT believe that a dentist cannot afford i day a month for those who have nothing!!!!

Have you seen their bank statements or something?

If anything they could be in debt - overheads for running a business are huge.

MaryM9

Big Davey wrote: »

The harder you work in this country the more the country screws you.
If you want to help the POOR help people who are struggling to pay a mortgage and a baby sitter etc while they earn a crust to be bent over time after time by this country.

Why don't you? who is stopping YOU speaking up for the under-paid? I have chosen to speak for a very specific issue, for a specific section of our society, but, that needn't stop you speaking for others, we should all be in this TOGETHER

MaryM9

Owenw wrote: »

Why don't you start your own charity to fund specialised dental treatment for the poor?

Give a little, it halts the rot

LOVE IT

Big Davey

MaryM9 wrote: »

Why don't you? who is stopping YOU speaking up for the under-paid? I have chosen to speak for a very specific issue, for a specific section of our society, but, that needn't stop you speaking for others, we should all be in this TOGETHER

I don't have time I am too busy working. Why don't you speak up for the underpaid on my behalf I recon you would be great at it

Shakespeare's Sister

MaryM9 wrote: »

Why don't you? who is stopping YOU speaking up for the under-paid? I have chosen to speak for a very specific issue, for a specific section of our society, but, that needn't stop you speaking for others, we should all be in this TOGETHER

Yeh you seem to be keen on telling/asking OTHERS to do stuff for the poor. But the question asked was: what are you doing yourself for the poor? Apart from making demands on an internet forum.

RossieMan

and making silly statements to whatever reply is given.

Not sure why this is still open, very silly topic with no real points given by the OP.

biko

If you have a problem with a thread:
1. report it
2. don't read/post

Owenw

RossieMan wrote: »

and making silly statements to whatever reply is given.

Not sure why this is still open, very silly topic with no real points given by the OP.

Ahh be fair she's just 'chewing the fat' - quite a feat with dentures!

MaryM9

Shakespeare's Sister wrote: »

Yeh you seem to be keen on telling/asking OTHERS to do stuff for the poor. But the question asked was: what are you doing yourself for the poor? Apart from making demands on an internet forum.

I have never once on this thread asked what anyone was doing for the poor, I'm sure you, like me are doing your bit (or not - that's for you to know). What I was referring to, is a solution for people with extreme pain (medical card or not), that cannot for whatever reason (bills, baby-sitting, mortgage etc.) afford to pay for dental pain relief. Whereby, weekly/monthly income + outgoings can be proved to be insufficient to pay for it. If at all avoidable why should anyone have to suffer with excruciating tooth pain, when there is more then enough expertise to go around????

ArtyC

I work full time. After bills, loans repayments etc I have feck all left.

I've two cracked teeth and I'm saving a little bit each week until I can go to the dentist . The workers are the ones screwed In this country. More taxes and bills every week... A very low minimum wage( when the cost if living is do high)

MaryM9

@RossieMan and @Owenw

“If you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem.” If you have nothing constructive to offer then I would suggest this thread is not for you and you will get absolutely nothing from it. I understand acts of kindness with no perceived come back is just too much for some people to understand. Feel free to troll this post if you wish, but know that it will just make me amused... Now, back to the topic at hand.... Dental care for the poor in Galway...

ireland.man

For some with problems of tooth overcrowding, disease and receding gum lines are common ailments and will almost inevitably mean massive problems down the line but medical card holders can't get the long term solution of braces nor the short term solution of multiple cleanings a year. It's just one example of where people fall through the safety net and end up suffering so while I think it's sad charity has to step in and fill a hole the state should be dealing with, I do think dentists could provide some free clinic services occasionally.

MaryM9

ArtyC wrote: »

I work full time. After bills, loans repayments etc I have feck all left.

I've two cracked teeth and I'm saving a little bit each week until I can go to the dentist . The workers are the ones screwed In this country. More taxes and bills every week... A very low minimum wage( when the cost if living is do high)

I couldn't agree more, and that is why my post concerns 'poor' rather than JUST the unemployed. : )

RossieMan

Why do you continually dodge questions about what you're doing to help the poor?
People might be more interested in your opinion if you yourself actually do something.

Mary, just to add to this, are you currently working?

While i think your attempts are admirable, in the real world it just doesn't happen where people(most people) can give up a days wage to help others. Most people are paying massive mortgages. and are struggling themselves.

Shakespeare's Sister

RossieMan wrote: »

Why do you continually dodge questions about what you're doing to help the poor?

Exactly.

And it might not be straightforward for dentists to do this. Who will organise it? How would it be implemented? It will still incur costs - who will foot these?

inisboffin

Shouldn't any solution be for 'Low Income' (as opposed to Social Welfare vs Employed). Yes plenty of low waged workers are making similar amounts, but everyone's situation is different. In some countries the 'cheap' clinics are assessed by net wage (you bring in your payslip OR your social welfare docket). To me that seems fairer if clinics are to be offered.

Mrs OBumble

inisboffin wrote: »

Shouldn't any solution be for 'Low Income' (as opposed to Social Welfare vs Employed). Yes plenty of low waged workers are making similar amounts, but everyone's situation is different. In some countries the 'cheap' clinics are assessed by net wage (you bring in your payslip OR your social welfare docket). To me that seems fairer if clinics are to be offered.

And the clinics are run by dentists paid for by the state.

OP, if you are genuinely in paid and cannot afford treatment, approach VdP and ask if they can assist, or can refer you to someone who can. Expect that they will assess your means and assist only if you are genuinely in need, and are claiming all you are entitled to. (You probably aren't, if you're only getting 188 per week.)

Expecting professionals to run free-clinics in a Welfare state is crazy.

inisboffin

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

And the clinics are run by dentists paid for by the state.

No, actually in this instance I was referring to non-state run services. Some got grants but they were set up as the systems in questions had a shortfall. Much like when doctors volunteered abroad. A friend of mine is an audiologist and goes overseas to do clinics as a volunteer (that's a whole other model though).

MaryM9

RossieMan wrote: »

Why do you continually dodge questions about what you're doing to help the poor?
People might be more interested in your opinion if you yourself actually do something.
.

Don't let your left hand know what the right hand is doing. Thats why : )

MaryM9

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

And the clinics are run by dentists paid for by the state.

Expecting professionals to run free-clinics in a Welfare state is crazy.

Only to a certain mentality : )

_Whimsical_

SpaceTime wrote: »

What a stupid and disfiguring policy. If you're going to have a dental service it shouldn't be limiting filings and should be trying to avoid extractions. They're hardly any more expensive than extractions and if done in time would avoid complicated problems.

When was this last updated? The dark ages?

Actually it was last updated a few years ago when the recession swept in.It is so short sighted.

A year or so ago some victims of this policy were featured on the news. One was a 16 year old girl from Cork. She had some dental gum disease that made her more vulnerable to tooth decay. It could have been treated if she could pay but instead she had 16 teeth taken out and was fitted with dentures.
It was disfigurement. It's a traumatic procedure and it's impact is life long. Imagine having dentures at 16, having to worry about dentures during a first kiss and the impact it'll have on her confidence in so many spheres of life.

The thing is she will need new dentures as her face and jaw grow and the state will fork out for these but not the treatments that might have saved her teeth.

I think it's a horrible policy and I think it'd be great if dentist would get together and help some patients with difficult cases like that girl.

Also why eating the head off MaryM9 here ?Every charitable enterprise starts as an idea, why does she have to be active in another charity to air an opinion or be taken seriously?

Owenw

MaryM9 wrote: »

@RossieMan and @Owenw

“If you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem.” If you have nothing constructive to offer then I would suggest this thread is not for you and you will get absolutely nothing from it. I understand acts of kindness with no perceived come back is just too much for some people to understand. Feel free to troll this post if you wish, but know that it will just make me amused... Now, back to the topic at hand.... Dental care for the poor in Galway...

I am not a Dentist but I do work in the sector.

First of all, as has been stated a number of times, the HSE covers basic essential care to anyone who qualifies for the medical card. You can also try the Dental Hospital if you are in real trouble and can show you don't have financial wherewithal to meet costs. If costly specialist treatments were offered gratis through the medical card scheme, others would have to go without as there is a finite budget.

Whilst you will hear of very unfortunate people with dental problems not of their making (due to illness, as a side effect of medical therapies or medication), the fact is many problems can be traced back to neglect. If I neglect my cars engine when it stops running smoothly, I don't expect the mechanic to fix big problems for free or for the price of a basic service.

Second, the cost of running dental practises in Ireland is mind-boggling, yes Dentists can make good money, but they will work hard for it and bend over backwards to cater for patients.

Third, complications may not present until well into the scheduled treatment - often requiring complex or time-consuming procedures. This is why costs sometimes increase partway through treatment. Offering freebies could quickly use up additional time and sink the company into the red.

Fourth, dental work is frequently carried out pro bono or at cost to get someone out of trouble (because we do care about patients welfare), or to smooth relations with an awkward client. A good reputation is hard won and even harder to keep.

Fifth, patient demands are always increasing and dental equipment, supplies, staff wages and other costs ever rising, while fees have changed little in 6 years, hence margins are constantly being squeezed..

Finally, running a free clinic day would quickly drain the practise resources as everyone would be clamouring for free appointments. It would be disastrous and the business wouldn't last very long.

endacl

challengemaster wrote: »

4 fillings, unlimited extractions

Surely not unlimited?!?

Owenw

endacl wrote: »

Surely not unlimited?!?

32 max! :pac:

(Unless some poor unfortunate with supernumary teeth needs a clearance!)

?Cee?view

Owenw wrote: »

Fifth, ..... fees have changed little in 6 years, hence margins are constantly being squeezed..

Is this actually true? I would have thought that fees have plummeted in the last few years? Dental practices are barely scratching by these days as a result of PRSI changes and the inability of most to pay full price. The idea of giving away a free day (definitely not free to the Dentist) is laughable.

ireland.man

Very strange thread... while the op's idea was under-developed, there is a problem in Ireland with accessing all necessary treatments for people with dental problems so I'm confused by the response of others here. People seem indignant that dentists, as business people, should even consider offering a few hours of a free clinic for people suffering pain or progressive problems. There's even comments suggesting that there's 'deserving' and 'undeserving' patients too.

Again, the op's idea was under-developed but I thought that was a good thing, people could've given some constructive ideas or dismissed it while providing alternatives OR at least bemoan the state of the health service in Ireland and the culpability of the present and past governments. Instead people attacked the OP, criticised some of social welfare, pointed out some people with dental problems bring it on themselves, etc etc.