Dentist is getting cheapo

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
When you go to the dentist, does he/she give you a goodie bag to bring home with a sample of toothpaste, floss and a new toothbrush?

Mine used to, but the last time I was there, I didn't get one. I didn't think of it until I got home and assuming it was an oversight, called back. I was informed that they no longer give out goodie bags. She said "You know, I have to pay for those." I also noticed for the same services as the time before that, I was charged much more this time. She probably got her office rent raised and is trying to mimimize expenses and increase profit.
 

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Most places are paying more for materials & utilities to stay open so they've had to raise prices. I overheard that our grocery bill at the hospital is somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000 a month. I'm sure that cost has gone up with all the paper products we've had to purchase & the larger amount of food waste we are suffering through.
 
We go through gobs and gobs of sanitizer...foam cups...lids...straws...napkins...plastic silverware....gloves...paper bonnets...masks....on top of all the food that is required to keep the place functioning.
 
I always get toothpaste, mouth rinse, toothbrush and floss. Sometimes I say "no thanks", as we have so many of them, between me and my hubby.
 
So glad we have a National Health Service. Prices are fixed by the Government and free charges or minimal contributions for some procedures for those on benefits, PM Johnson says he has made it clear that in any trading negotiation with America the NHS is not on the table. Watch this space given the Covid 19.
 
Where I live to due the covid protocols , distance in the waiting rooms, and cleaning each of the exam rooms between patients and such, the amount of patients at any one time at the office is maybe 40% of what it was. With that big of reduction in patients I'm sure the prices will have to at least double just to get their revenue levels back to where they were. After all it is a business.

So far I haven't seen any difference in our billing, but we have both just been back once since they've gone back to routine appointment scheduling.
 
Treacle said:
PM Johnson says he has made it clear that in any trading negotiation with America the NHS is not on the table. Watch this space given the Covid 19.
Click to expand...
What would any trade negotiation with a foreign government have to do with your own NHS? Please explain, I don't get it. Sorry to go off-topic, but I Must Know! 🙃
 
debodun said:
When you go to the dentist, does he/she give you a goodie bag to bring home with a sample of toothpaste, floss and a new toothbrush?
Click to expand...

I went to the dentist last month for my semi-annual checkup, and per normal they gave me a toothbrush and floss. I use an electric toothbrush, so I just use the manual brushes for cleaning stuff in my workshop.
 
Treacle said:
So glad we have a National Health Service. Prices are fixed by the Government and free charges or minimal contributions for some procedures for those on benefits, PM Johnson says he has made it clear that in any trading negotiation with America the NHS is not on the table. Watch this space given the Covid 19.
Click to expand...
..but even my NHS dentist gives out free toothpaste... (y)
 
Pepper said:
What would any trade negotiation with a foreign government have to do with your own NHS? Please explain, I don't get it. Sorry to go off-topic, but I Must Know! 🙃
Click to expand...
I'm not fully clear on that one Pepper, but one of the fears was the possibility of purchasing drugs in a trade deal which would hike up the prices pushing the NHS towards the privatisation of our health system. I have put in this link- hope it works. It's a bit long but explains a little bit.
https://fullfact.org/election-2019/is-the-nhs-up-for-sale/ ☺
 

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