[MrXY]

(12-30-2013 09:13 AM)Handsome Creepy Eel Wrote:  

I don't understand how that's possible in the UK, given the (from what I've heard) free basic medical services for everyone via the NHS. Here in Croatia many people can't afford even that, yet teeth are in much better condition on average.

You should study basic economics. Then you'll understand why that is. This is a good start



Socialized medicine reduces access to care and lowers the quality of the care. The reason why the US is the world leader in developing cutting edge dental care and aesthetic cosmetic surgery is that not only are those fields generally not paid for by the government, they aren't even covered by insurance in many cases.

Since people pay out of pocket, the market is competitive and people get much better care and easier access. The providers have an incentive to give better service, better results and new treatments; that incentive is destroyed by socialized medicine