Thousands Avoiding Dental Care in New Zealand Due to Cost
A Ministry of Health survey has revealed that thousands of people in New Zealand are avoiding dental treatment, because they cannot afford to pay the bill.
The survey, which was carried out in 2009, revealed that almost half of adults had avoided going to see the dentist because of the cost of dental treatment.
The study also showed that many people are having dental work done and then claiming they cannot afford to pay for it. A consumer expert suggested this means of avoiding payment is in response to a women’s query about how to pay for her son’s treatment, which was due to cost $5000. The woman wrote into Woman’s Weekly magazine and consumer expert Kevin Milne said that it may be a way of forcing a “flexible response” from the dentist, although he said that he would not usually advise people to have treatment and then say that they cannot afford to pay for it.
David Crum, chief executive of the Dental Association, said that he did not agree with Mr Milne’s advice and said that it was a dishonest action to take.
The cost of dental care has come under speculation in recent years and some MPs, including leader of the Progressive Party, Jim Anderton, are fighting to introduce free dental care. The cost of dental care in New Zealand is higher than in many other countries and studies show that standards of dental health are relatively low.
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Look at what I wrote in the NZ Women’s Weekly so you can give a fair not misleading account of what I said. I did not say I “would not usually advise people to have treatment and then say they cannot afford to pay for it.” I said I would not advise people to do this because not only would they have bad teeth, but also might end up in court and be registered as bad debtors. If you can’t be bothered checking out what I actually wrote, please print this letter.