I cringed and contorted myself through this story, Laura. It reminded me of too many dental experiences (I think there are parts of the US that can compete with Sweden for inflicting of dental pain).
In Ireland the Health Services Executive doesn't contribute to dental care and private dental insurance is obscenely expensive, but I was able to find an excellent dentist in South Dublin. The first time I visited him and he examined my teeth he pronounced that the "interventions" I had had in the US were shameful ... even though some had been done by professors at Harvard Dental School. The work from the US was better, though, than much of what he'd witnessed by itinerant dentists who come to Dublin for a week and set up a black-market dental practice in a hotel room. He was not at all keen on these dentists, nor about the dentistry practiced in Hungary and Romania where Irish people often went to save money on dental procedures. At one point while carrying on about this, he paused his work to show me images of some of the nasty tooth disasters he had dealt with.
Dental care is covered partially by the *Assurance Maladie* in France, and dentists can function within different cost tiers. My approach is to always find the dentist who lives in the area where rich people live, and the strategy has worked well here, my dentist is excellent--though he doesn't work cheaply. More here if you're interested: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F33956?lang=en
Sorry for the bad memories! Your strategy is brilliant. The twins lived in a wealthy area, as I know because they sent to me their house, but they didn’t work in one. Maybe that was my fatal mistake. In any case, I am older and wiser now.
Laura, I lived in Sweden for 18 years and so much of this rang true for me; I am so sorry for what you went through, all that agony, but you are an amazing funny storyteller, and there’s nothing lagom about that. I moved to Spain (I’m American) three months ago as my older daughter lives here in Barcelona (the younger in Paris), (while their Swedish dad, my ex, remains happily in Florida, go figure) and so we’ll see how the Spanish public health care system is, but so far I give it an A+ having had to make use of it for emergency back pain and more minor issues. Excellent fast professional care at the local ER on three occasions, before I had my public health card, never charged a euro. We will see about the dental care here however…I am dreading that because…well you know why 😀 I may well run into the same issue as you. Public health care systems not able to prioritize ‘non-emergencies.’ Which is why I’ll probably get myself the very affordable private health insurance available here as a supplement; 25% of Spanish citizens do the same, I’ve read. Thanks for your insights into my second home. It’s the Swedish passport I have that made moving to Spain a breeze.
Thanks so much for reading! It sounds like you landed in a very good place. Of all expats, the Spain and Portugal folks seem happiest with their healthcare. I will cross my fingers for you that this extends to dentistry! If everything goes south, though, fight them! They’re not used to it and it focuses their attention brilliantly!
Omg, Laura!! When relocating, I’d briefy considered Sweden and Denmark as options (I’m half Danish) but took a pass because I didn’t think I could afford either. I already loved my dentist in Portugal, now even more so after reading your story!
OMG! What a tale of woe, literally! I totally understand the anesthesia ordeal. I'm the opposite of the spectrum--I need very little. Have had 2 horrendous experiences, and when an anesthesiologist doesn't listen to me, it's maddening. The first error--I almost bit my tongue off (granted, it was in a small rural hospital in Northern CA, I was lucky a doctor was in). Second time they gave me so much I was out for 8 add'l hours. My husband thought I was dead. And third time, I couldn't feel anything from my waist down for hours and thought I was paralyzed. I'm just hoping I don't need any more surgeries.
I’m sorry for your ordeal — how insane! Your poor husband! If only they could combine you and I somehow and then divide us in half, we would have perfect tolerance.
Oh god, that's funny. And as you probably well know, your post is hilarious. Not to laugh at your misery, but it just struck my funny bone. And I realized just now that I'd mistakenly said I had 2 horrendous experiences, when it was 3. Maybe I discounted the last bc it was only total paralysis, waist down, not death or near missing tongue after an overly healthy dose of anesthetics.
Ha! It seems I have scared the hell out of any number of people who were thinking about moving to Sweden. The Swedish right wing, which hates foreigners, should probably send me a fruit basket. Enjoy your Portuguese dentist!
I cringed and contorted myself through this story, Laura. It reminded me of too many dental experiences (I think there are parts of the US that can compete with Sweden for inflicting of dental pain).
In Ireland the Health Services Executive doesn't contribute to dental care and private dental insurance is obscenely expensive, but I was able to find an excellent dentist in South Dublin. The first time I visited him and he examined my teeth he pronounced that the "interventions" I had had in the US were shameful ... even though some had been done by professors at Harvard Dental School. The work from the US was better, though, than much of what he'd witnessed by itinerant dentists who come to Dublin for a week and set up a black-market dental practice in a hotel room. He was not at all keen on these dentists, nor about the dentistry practiced in Hungary and Romania where Irish people often went to save money on dental procedures. At one point while carrying on about this, he paused his work to show me images of some of the nasty tooth disasters he had dealt with.
Dental care is covered partially by the *Assurance Maladie* in France, and dentists can function within different cost tiers. My approach is to always find the dentist who lives in the area where rich people live, and the strategy has worked well here, my dentist is excellent--though he doesn't work cheaply. More here if you're interested: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F33956?lang=en
Sorry for the bad memories! Your strategy is brilliant. The twins lived in a wealthy area, as I know because they sent to me their house, but they didn’t work in one. Maybe that was my fatal mistake. In any case, I am older and wiser now.
Laura, I lived in Sweden for 18 years and so much of this rang true for me; I am so sorry for what you went through, all that agony, but you are an amazing funny storyteller, and there’s nothing lagom about that. I moved to Spain (I’m American) three months ago as my older daughter lives here in Barcelona (the younger in Paris), (while their Swedish dad, my ex, remains happily in Florida, go figure) and so we’ll see how the Spanish public health care system is, but so far I give it an A+ having had to make use of it for emergency back pain and more minor issues. Excellent fast professional care at the local ER on three occasions, before I had my public health card, never charged a euro. We will see about the dental care here however…I am dreading that because…well you know why 😀 I may well run into the same issue as you. Public health care systems not able to prioritize ‘non-emergencies.’ Which is why I’ll probably get myself the very affordable private health insurance available here as a supplement; 25% of Spanish citizens do the same, I’ve read. Thanks for your insights into my second home. It’s the Swedish passport I have that made moving to Spain a breeze.
Thanks so much for reading! It sounds like you landed in a very good place. Of all expats, the Spain and Portugal folks seem happiest with their healthcare. I will cross my fingers for you that this extends to dentistry! If everything goes south, though, fight them! They’re not used to it and it focuses their attention brilliantly!
You are a great role model in putting up a fight! I’ll remember that 😀
Laura, you have a huge gift for funny writing! I always enjoy your posts but please, more comedy 😃. I was literally doubled over laughing 😀😃🙂🙃
Thank you so much! Your comment made me very happy 🌺
Omg, Laura!! When relocating, I’d briefy considered Sweden and Denmark as options (I’m half Danish) but took a pass because I didn’t think I could afford either. I already loved my dentist in Portugal, now even more so after reading your story!
OMG! What a tale of woe, literally! I totally understand the anesthesia ordeal. I'm the opposite of the spectrum--I need very little. Have had 2 horrendous experiences, and when an anesthesiologist doesn't listen to me, it's maddening. The first error--I almost bit my tongue off (granted, it was in a small rural hospital in Northern CA, I was lucky a doctor was in). Second time they gave me so much I was out for 8 add'l hours. My husband thought I was dead. And third time, I couldn't feel anything from my waist down for hours and thought I was paralyzed. I'm just hoping I don't need any more surgeries.
I’m sorry for your ordeal — how insane! Your poor husband! If only they could combine you and I somehow and then divide us in half, we would have perfect tolerance.
Oh god, that's funny. And as you probably well know, your post is hilarious. Not to laugh at your misery, but it just struck my funny bone. And I realized just now that I'd mistakenly said I had 2 horrendous experiences, when it was 3. Maybe I discounted the last bc it was only total paralysis, waist down, not death or near missing tongue after an overly healthy dose of anesthetics.
Right on the spot, as always.
Great.
Thank you! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
My fear of Dentists and all the “necessary” torture they inflict both sympathizes and really doesn’t like you right now for telling this story!
Just kidding. But honestly, that’s pure nightmare fuel for me 😱
Sorry! Just forget you saw this
Ha! It seems I have scared the hell out of any number of people who were thinking about moving to Sweden. The Swedish right wing, which hates foreigners, should probably send me a fruit basket. Enjoy your Portuguese dentist!