Tammy I'm very confused about the free dental care we are entitled to in NZ. I had a free temporary plate made after surgery through Accident Compensation so that I could go to my son's wedding. After RT I was given appointments with a hospital dentist specializing in oncology patients and referred to a prostho at Green Lane too, to have a new more comfortable plate made. That will now be deferred because I need so much general dental work done. I think my teeth are beyond repair and need drastic measures taken but the hospital dentist just seems to want to patch me up and move me on to the prostho. The latter told me that root fillings have to be done privately so I'm surprised Kris got them through the hospital system. I think I'm going to have to write everything I know about my teeth down together with some questions and hand it to the house surgeon I'm seeing at Green Lane on 5 November to take at least one of my teeth out.
It seemed almost too good to be true that I would get a new and comfortable plate made free by the hospital and I'm devastated that I'll now miss out this year. Do you think we pay a price for our socialised medicine in that we are less able to speed things up?

Sorry to hijack your thread Travellottie!