Controversial: Socialized Medicine/Dentistry in future

First of all, congrats to all of us who have been accepted thus far. For those who have not yet been, don't give up hope... it is still early in the game.
The topic of socialized medicine is one of great importance to me, as I have some strong political opinions. The future of dentistry is very exciting to me. But despite the great aspects of dentistry, such as providing a health-care service, opportunity to own and operate a small business, job security, flexibility, etc.etc.etc...., I am hesitant to believe that WE are going to have the same fair opportunities as the previous generation of dentists did. Don't get me wrong... I am ecstatic with the career choice I have made, especially now that the application process is finally over. But the threat of losing a good portion of the benefits of being a health-care provider somewhat overshadows my optimism. This topic has been discussed to some degree on other threads, but I would like to hear more opinions from some fellow 2008 students (and any others).
I know what a few of you may be saying right now: "All he cares about is making money." Let me assure you, I did not go into dentistry solely to make good money. But let me be honest, also. Wages earned was on my list of considerations when considering a career, although it was not at the top of the list. A career choice is something you have to live with for the next thirty +/- years, so I chose a career that I thought would be challenging, dynamic, and exciting enough that I would not get bored with it at age 40. Dentistry rocks as far as day in/day out routine. Other major pluses for me are the ability to spend time with my wife and kids (not working 50+ hours/week to pay off mortgage and car), ability to put my kids through college/religious endeavors, and the opportunity to have a positive impact on many people's lives in a single day. I really enjoy meeting and interacting with new people, and hopefully I will have the chance to make their life a little bit better than before we met.
With that little bit of background, the chance that someday we may all be forced to work for the government, lose control of our practices, earn a fixed wage (socialism), and pay upwards of 65% income tax (this is called sucking the will to excell out of any person with integrity) along with the rest of the country to pay for this "free health care" is somewhat discouraging to me. Yes, I will admit there are problems with our current health care system, albeit not serious as Dan Rather and Petee Jennings would like us to think. But I could NOT disagree any MORE with socialism as the answer. When government gets this involved and this authoritative, America ceases to be free.
I understand that this is a controversial topic, and I may offend some of our fellow SDNers. But my opinion is that socialized health care would be the destruction of any health care profession, as it would greatly decrease the level of patient care because the profession would be less appealing to those who would be otherwise great health care professionals, and because we all know that private industry is about four times more productive than government as far as money invested/work produced. I would like to know how you guys feel about this.
Almost every one of us will be involved with ASDA/ADA in our futures. They have some good information on the subject, and they are actively involved in lobbying against this trend. I believe you have to be a member before you can gain much access to their information, and I plan on getting involved in D-school with the ASDA on this matter.
Let me know your thoughts!

BTW: President Bush/Congress just passed a health care bill that I fear just put us one step closer to working for Uncle Sam. I believe he simply gave in to political pressure. At least the bill has some private industry incentives.

Agreed, paulallen. We need to stick together and never allow this to happen. In my original post, I was not asserting that Prez Bush was purposely leading us to socialism. The only other man (let us be politically correct: PERSON) I would rather have in the White House to fight against socialism is Prez Reagan (eat my shorts, CBS). I know Prez Bush realizes the dangers of the Socialist movement, but it is unfortunate that politics must get in the way of America's freedoms.

In hindsite, I should have not politicized the topic so much, given the forum.


To avingupta,

You wrote:
"Everyone on this board knows my views on this, and I really think that essential dental care should be included. Essential is the key word here! Knowing that some people cannot afford care that is deemed essential sickens me and is ethically wrong in my books."

I can appreciate your compassion in wanting to ensure essential care to everyone. That would be feasible in a perfect world, with plenty of tax money to go around. What makes me "sick" is the fact that a portion of people in this country, whether American-born or not, wish to tell me that in addition to being responsible to provide health insurance for my wife and daughters, I also must provide it for the "less fortunate" in the country. Why must I be placed with that added burden. I am doing my part to ensure the health of my family. Why should I be punished for that?

You wrote:
"And to the OP.....you said that private industry is much more productive than government.....does that mean to give up on govt programs and privatize everything?? With this attitude, my kids are gonna goto school where their math classes are sponsored by Taco Bell.......should we privatize the education system??"

No I do not think we should get rid of all government programs. But we should definitely allow the option to attend private education along with the public education rebate. Why is a portion of the government so afraid of private education? Because they know that the level of learning is much more efficient at less of a cost to the student. The option should be available to all Americans. It is up to each individual whether they will attend public or private.

You wrote:
"But dont worry.....there will still be non-essential services out there that people will always be willing to pay for, so we can pay off our debts, and buy our boats, cottages, and lexuses!"

So what procedures do YOU consider essential dentistry? Will you be able to give the same preference for the required essentials as you would for the non-essential services?

When I was a kid, my parents were very poor. My siblings and I were raised on welfare, so I have seen first hand how that system works. None of us have any irreversible condition or severe trauma from not getting medical attention when needed. My Dad was an auto mechanic with no education and worked very hard to pay the bills. We recieved eviction notices a couple of times, and food was scarce. But he never gave up, and was always able to pay the medical/dental bills, although it was a struggle. Now he has worked himself into a good management position at a Federal facility. My point in telling this is that MOST of us have a fair shot at life. We can come from meager beginnings, like myself, and decide that we are going to improve our current situation by working hard and being persistant. I did not wish to rely on the government my whole life, and I never expected someone else to pick up the tab.

We had a great family dentist who was willing to work out special payment plans, and provided some procedures to us at a discount rate because he was aware of our situation. He did this out of compassion for a family struggling to make ends meet. I want to be able to do that also, but I want to do it out of true compassion, not because I am forced to by my government. I think welfare programs play an important role in our country. There are people that honestly need it. Unfortunately, there are many who abuse the system, too. But all-out socialism is not the answer.

To johndental,

You said,

"I see you are from IDAHO. Does this not say it all? LDS ( not that this is bad but it speaks miles about a persons political views ) ? Not trying to insult you if your LDS you could hold socially progressive views but it is extremely UNLIKELY. "

Yes, john I am from Idaho, and I am LDS. I do not hold very many "progressive views" because I am pretty pleased with my country's Constitution, and do not wish to rewrite it. So... since I AM LDS and I DO NOT hold progressive views, now do you wish "to insult me?" Hey, where are the tolerance police when a religious boy from Idaho needs them???

You said:

"I think if you go into dentistry for money you are going to be unhappy. "

Actually, I thought I did a good job of describing WHY I love dentistry. I completely agree: if you go into any profession solely for the $, then you are in for a long ride. I think it would make dental school so much tougher, too. But I included many reasons why I am going to be a dentist. Obviously, I was not clear enough on the subject. I chose dentistry (rather it chose me) because it intrigued me. I know it is going to be "challenging, dynamic, and exciting enough that I would not get bored with it at age 40. Dentistry rocks as far as day in/day out routine. " I love serving others and making a difference in people's lives. I simply love dentistry.

You said:

"...higher quality of service kinda of like military dentists currently have it if we had some sort of universal coverage. Think they have it bad? They make decent money and often work in nicer more high tech facilities than many of us ever will."


But I do not wish to work for the government. I wish to work for myself. I was not aware that this is a crime in our country. I have some good friends that are, and some who are considering, doing the military thing. Excellent. More power to them! But that is not the road I wish to go down, and I absolutely do not wish to be forced down that road.

You said:

"Also its not like people in OTHER PROFESSIONS dont bust their ass as well. "

Exactly my point!!! Once the "CENTRISTS" succeed in socializing medicine, they will not even pause to breath. They will commence to make the argument that it is not fair to the health care professionals that they be the only ones forced to work for the government. If doctors have to work for Uncle Sam and be placed under a salary cap, then why not CEOs. And if CEOs must be, then why not restaurant owner/operators? They will simply make the argument that since doctors have to live by this rule of government, it is only fair that ALL workers in every profession be placed under this rule. The result = Agenda Accomplished: the beacon of democracy is now a Socialist nation.

I never said that only I, as a dentist, will work my butt off, and so I should be the only professional exempt from socialism. Not at all!!! I think every able-bodied person in this country has the capability of working just as hard, or even harder than, myself and therefor every person in this country should be exempt from socialism. I simply kept the topic narrowed on dentistry because this is specifically a dental forum.

You said:

"Lots of people who work long hours make a hell of a lot LESS money than Dentists.
Is your work more important than them? do you DESERVE more money than them per hour? Geez look at how many years in school some PHD scientists have and the number of hours they work. They arent paid poorly by any means but they certainly dont make what say an endodontist pulls in by a long shot."

I NEVER even suggested that only I should be paid well, and that only MY work is valuable to this country. Please do not put words in my mouth/keyboard simply to suppliment your rants. Look, for me this is much more about who I am going to be working for the rest of my life. I do not want to be the government's gimp!

But I do agree wholeheartedly with you on the issue of PHDs. They deserve much more recognition and compensation for their efforts. But please make note; the PHDs who work under the government are compensated much less than most of the PHDs working for private industry. Just an observation.