The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.
- Rudyard Kipling -
Not too long ago I visited my dentist for a routine six-monthly check-up and an appointment with the hygienist. It's never ideal, I don't generally enjoy visits to the dentist, however it was far from the worst experience I've ever had. That's me in the reception area above.
My dentist is quite young, under thirty, and when I first came across her I was dubious but she took time to explain what was going on which made me feel a lot more comfortable. I hate those needles they stick into the gums, it feels like they're going up into my skull, right into my brain where my brain should be, and it never feels nice; my dentist explained that it's only going about a millimetre or so deep and instantly I felt more comfortable about it. No, I don't like them, but the anxiety dropped away. Anyway, there were no needles that day, just scratching, scraping and all that other nutbaggery they generally engage in.
She was chatting away throughout and because my mouth was open like a flip-top-head and I couldn't respond, all I could do was listen. I ended up drifting away and thoughts about how much it was going to cost me came to mind.
Dentists here are costly and to say they, charge like a wounded bull, would be an understatement; the visit that day cost me $180 Australian dollars with a small portion ($38.50) contributed by my health insurer. I had no real work done, just a check, clean and fluoride treatment, and off I went after the thirty five minute appointment. As I sat in the chair with my mouth open as wide as that of a hippopotamus waiting for snacks I wondered about those who simply couldn't afford the expense.
Things are tight [from a financial perspective] for so many people here and putting clothes on their backs, food in their bellies and fuel in their cars is often a struggle, let alone all of the other things people are committed to: Home loans or rent, vehicle costs, general medical, school fees or children's costs...the list goes on. It's difficult for many and while there's some who may say it's not difficult for them the reality is that the cost of living has risen sharply. It led me to consider how some people maintain their overall health, including dental, from a cost perspective...or do they simply ignore it through lack of funds?
I'm fortunate in that I am able to absorb the cost of living increases; that's not to say they don't affect me because they certainly do, however I'm able to work around it (making adjustments) and am not at a point where my health is compromised however I know for certain that many people have cut back so far that their health has become a secondary, or even tertiary, priority...for some it doesn't even make the list. I don't believe that's going to go so well for them or for the government moving forward who will have an ailing and very unhealthy population on their hands down the track.
I wonder what it's like in your region and with you specifically.
Are people having to make tough choices between general living expenses and their personal health? How do you feel that will go for them and your area in particular? Are the government offering support and assistance or ignoring the issues that they probably caused themselves? Do you have any stories around this important issue you'd like to share? If so, or you have any general comments, feel free to leave them below, I always respond.
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
[All original and AI free]
Any images in this post are my own.