What a hard first half to my week, work has be depressing to say the least...I love my job, dont get me wrong ...its just all our managment and senior clinical staff members have been so very stressed and this ofcourse leaves us nurses on the recieving end of the frustration...we can totally understand the frustration....
It has been well-reported in the news that more people in the UK are struggling to get access to and afford a regular general dentist, let alone specialist dentistry such as orthodontics, the BBC also reported that the threat to specialist dental work is continuing according to a survey of primary care trusts(PCTs). Specialist dental treatments are simply not being funded anymore in many areas of the UK leaving more and more people turning to private orthodontists for orthodontic treatments or not seeking treatment at all. Orthodontic treatment is only available free-of-charge on the National Health Service for young people who:
•are under 18 years old - some patients have matured to the age of 18 whilst awaiting treatment on a long waiting list, our waiting list is +/- 15 months or
•have a clear clinical need for treatment
Well, with all the cut backs, the "clear clinical need" parameters are being moved closer together leaving alot of potential patients failing to qualify for free treatment, not only that...the financial allocation being given to specialist dentistry by the Government to facilitate the free treatment has been cut by 30%..! Unless you are very wealth...who can afford the fees of no less than a couple thousand ponds?? Do the pen-pushers not realise it not just about having straight teeth for cosmetic reasons or aesthetic perfection?? Do they not have the knowledge of what other health issues arise by having problems in the mouth?? Do they realise I might not have a job if they keep cutting back...do they also realise I will be
a another statistc of a social security claim therefore burdening the system even further???
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