KathyC Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 I recently went to the dentist for the first time in France. He asked me whether it was my first visit and whether I had any problems and I mentioned some pain I was getting in a certain tooth. He took an x ray of the area and then, without a word, proceeded to fill what was apparently a small hole. That was then it, I paid my money and left. I had expected a general checkup and filling in of a chart with the possibility of a scale and polish being offered as well but none of this happened. Should I have specifically asked for a general check up etc? Are these things done differently in France? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuppence Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 My first visit was exactly the same as yours KathyC. No check ups on any other teeth, just 2 visits for one filling, never in the UK. One visit for one filling was the norm there. Then I had occasion to go back about 3 months ago with the same tooth he filled in Dec 2007. He then had a look at another tooth I was having a problem with . 'Oh that will have to have a crown' says he, 'Oh no it won't says I'. It was a back tooth, root filled and as far as I am concerned it can come out. At a cost of €490 for one (cheap) crown I can do without that tooth. Even with my mutuelle paying some , I would still have had to pay €235. So it stays, no pain until such a time that I am clawing the walls. UK dentists much more thorough IMHO. And less time consuming too!tuppence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyC Posted December 8, 2008 Author Share Posted December 8, 2008 [quote user="tuppence"]My first visit was exactly the same as yours KathyC. No check ups on any other teeth, just 2 visits for one filling, never in the UK. One visit for one filling was the norm there. Then I had occasion to go back about 3 months ago with the same tooth he filled in Dec 2007. He then had a look at another tooth I was having a problem with . 'Oh that will have to have a crown' says he, 'Oh no it won't says I'. It was a back tooth, root filled and as far as I am concerned it can come out. At a cost of €490 for one (cheap) crown I can do without that tooth. Even with my mutuelle paying some , I would still have had to pay €235. So it stays, no pain until such a time that I am clawing the walls. UK dentists much more thorough IMHO. And less time consuming too!tuppence[/quote] I'd quite agree with you on having a back tooth out compared with the expense of a crown if you're not in pain. Leave well alone, I say!It's the first dentist visit I've had for many years where I haven't been lectured on my receding gums and the need to improve my brushing technique. I used to hate that in the UK but I really missed it this time; it made me feel very uncared for! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardian Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 As opposed to general health care in France, which seems to me to take a proactive as opposed to reactive approach, dentistry seems to be the other way round. That's not to say that I'm unhappy with the quality of treatment over here, but it's definitely reactive in the sense of 'fix what needs to be fixed and don't muck around too much with the rest'.Any reservations that I have are driven by having been a patient of an excellent dentist back in the UK who re-built years of neglect some 20 yrs ago and said "Don't count on it lasting much more than 5-10 yrs". An expert in his profession, but as with most, he had 'gone private' before we left and it was costing £30 / mth just for me!As for the clean-up side of things, our dentist does it. I asked him why they didn't employ a hygienist and he said that it wasn't allowed. His dental nurse wanted to take up that profession, but no can do apparently. Hope that's correct, but that's what I understood him to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suein56 Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 [quote user="KathyC"] Should I have specifically asked for a general check up etc? Are these things done differently in France?[/quote]AFAIAA things are done differently here - you have to ask if you would like a clean and polish as it costs.If you are not happy with the results of the treatment you received then find another Dentist as there are plenty of them out there. My OH was a bit taken aback with the amount of work that our Dentist wanted to get done on his teeth in one session!Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Avery Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 As a lot of the French in rural France appear only to go when they have a toothache and 6 monthly inspections are not the norm except for children and are free for under 16s. You have to ask for a controle. Otherwise the dentist assumes that you just want the filling done.My last two visits to the dentist were free, one was the last appointment with my old dentist who was retiring, she did a filling in white and a scale and polish on the house and thanked me for my patronage, the next was with a new dentist in town and was also free. The new dentist said my teeth were fine and seemed quite bemused that I wanted them looked at in the first place. I asked about a scale and polish and she said "its not necessary, at our age we don't want too much wear on our gums and teeth do we"[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyC Posted December 8, 2008 Author Share Posted December 8, 2008 [quote user="Ron Avery"]As a lot of the French in rural France appear only to go when they have a toothache and 6 monthly inspections are not the norm except for children and are free for under 16s. You have to ask for a controle. Otherwise the dentist assumes that you just want the filling done.My last two visits to the dentist were free, one was the last appointment with my old dentist who was retiring, she did a filling in white and a scale and polish on the house and thanked me for my patronage, the next was with a new dentist in town and was also free. The new dentist said my teeth were fine and seemed quite bemused that I wanted them looked at in the first place. I asked about a scale and polish and she said "its not necessary, at our age we don't want too much wear on our gums and teeth do we"[:D][/quote] Thank you Ron, that's what I wanted to know. I need to ask for a controle. Will this include a clean (scale and polish) or do I have to ask for this separately and if so, what's the French term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Avery Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 The dentist may well suggest it, but if you really want it ( I hate the scale bit) say "est-ce que necessaire pour un nettoyage?" He/she will know what you mean, if that isn't technically correct, I'm sure one of the French nationals will put us right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyC Posted December 8, 2008 Author Share Posted December 8, 2008 [quote user="suein56"][quote user="KathyC"] Should I have specifically asked for a general check up etc? Are these things done differently in France?[/quote]AFAIAA things are done differently here - you have to ask if you would like a clean and polish as it costs.If you are not happy with the results of the treatment you received then find another Dentist as there are plenty of them out there. My OH was a bit taken aback with the amount of work that our Dentist wanted to get done on his teeth in one session!Sue[/quote]I was quite happy with the filling; it was quick and painless. I was just surprised that this was the only thing offered. I know now that these things aren't automatic here and that I need to ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 [quote user="Ron Avery"]The dentist may well suggest it, but if you really want it ( I hate the scale bit) say "est-ce que necessaire pour un nettoyage?" He/she will know what you mean, if that isn't technically correct, I'm sure one of the French nationals will put us right.[/quote]"detartrage" (sp?), for teeth.[:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 On changing Dentists I was sent to have a complete X ray of the jaw and teeth, and we then discussed the plan needed to get my mouth back into shape.She also worked very systematically though all my problems, and gave me estimates for the things not covered completely by the Sécu and my Mutuelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Avery Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 [quote user="cooperlola"][quote user="Ron Avery"]The dentist may well suggest it, but if you really want it ( I hate the scale bit) say "est-ce que necessaire pour un nettoyage?" He/she will know what you mean, if that isn't technically correct, I'm sure one of the French nationals will put us right.[/quote]"detartrage" (sp?), for teeth.[:)][/quote]That is right I think Deb, but it sounds more like the act of getting ridding of the son's unsuitable girlfriend (or boyfriend[:D] More vocab here http://french.about.com/library/begin/bl-dentist.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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