Teeth and molars sometimes extracted without medical necessity
More than half of dentists in the Netherlands extract teeth and molars without a medical reason. This often happens at the request of patients who cannot afford alternative treatments, according to doctoral research by Dyonne Broers at the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam.
Tooth extraction without medical necessity is not allowed, but Broers highlights a gray area. “If there is a significant abnormality in the tooth or molar, then it is permitted.”
Dental care for adults is not covered by the basic health insurance in the Netherlands. To save money, adults often opt to have teeth or molars extracted. This procedure can be done by a dentist for as little as €50. Other treatments are typically more expensive. By having a tooth or molar removed, patients hope to avoid future complications or costs associated with the tooth.
Issues caused by extractions
Minister Agema has expressed concerns about this financial issue. “This is incredibly sad. Poor dental health can lead to other health problems, such as cardiovascular diseases.” According to Agema, the Dutch Healthcare Institute is exploring the possibility of reintroducing dental care costs into the basic health insurance package. “It’s very expensive,” she says, but she urges people with limited financial resources to contact their municipality, which often has programs for dental care support.
While tooth extraction might seem harmless, Broers warns otherwise. “Every tooth or molar you extract causes the jawbone to shrink. The younger you are, the more it will shrink.” This could lead to issues later in life, as there may be less support for dentures.
Offering alternatives
Financial difficulties are not the only reason mentioned in the study. Some people request tooth or molar extractions due to a fear of dentists. “The idea is: then I’ll be done with it.” Others persist in requesting an extraction for unexplained pain.
More than 80% of oral surgeons report receiving such requests without medical necessity, and three-quarters of dentists have faced similar requests. The vast majority of these requests are carried out.
“I hope the threshold for extraction is high, but you also have to consider patient autonomy. Patients think it through and make a deliberate choice. However, they often pressure the healthcare provider, and it’s up to the dentist or oral surgeon to guide them and offer alternatives.”
Broers believes that the principle of not causing harm to patients is sometimes overlooked and calls for greater attention to this issue. She emphasizes that education for dentistry students should address these concerns. “You can work with patients to address phobias or find more affordable alternatives. If a crown is too expensive, you can explore whether a large filling might be a viable solution.”
In the Netherlands, you have to pay for basic insurance, but dental coverage is not part of the basic package. It’s crazy that the bones in your mouth are apparently different from the other ones. I myself expect a bill of over 2000 euros from my dentist, and I even have a " premium" package with extra dental coverage. This shit is crazy.
I also find it crazy that the state media gives it the title of “Teeth and molars sometimes extracted without medical necessity.” Of course they know most people will only read the headline and therefore don’t become aware of the real issue. Parenti inventing reality is once again proven right.
Furthermore, the part about getting help from your municipality is that they will only offer you help if you already have monetary issues. So people like myself with normal jobs are just f*cked.
I think it is the same in the Communist Dictatorship of Canada as well since teeth are cosmetic and not necessary to keep around. Chewing is bourgeoisie.
I remember the Canadian dentist practice I went to calling me regularly trying to get me to schedule a checkup and cleaning. When I said I couldn’t afford it the response was “well call us when you’ve saved up.”
When I finally had additional insurance through an employer I still had to pay a bunch and they tried to pressure me into getting my wisdom tooth out, for the equivalent of a week’s pay. I had nearly maxed out my annual insurance allowance on dental expenses with the cleaning so that was a no.
Yea when I lived in the Netherlands I was surprised about dental not being covered as in the US it was always portrayed as a socialist hellscape in terms of healthcare
Ever since I moved to Belgium I got a dental insurance for 8 euro a month covering up to 5000 euro in costs, something like that. One year of paying for that equals not even a month’s pay of the same insurance in The Netherlands. Dumb ass country.
Why do you even need teeth if capitalism = no food?
Healthcare systems all over Europe are failing or designed to fail and we’re just watching them.
The EU even prohibits public-only health care policies. There must be a private option to serve the tiny number of wealthy people who can afford it and give them an additional sense of superiority.
