<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>New dental fee: Patients no better off
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to Monday's report, 'New $7 charge by dental chain: Patients feel bite'. I'm surprised at the new charge and shocked that I have been paying $7 just for 'consumables'.
I do not mind the charges, but do dentists, especially those in the private sector, really change into a new set of gown, mask and gloves before treating each new patient?
My experiences tell me otherwise. During each visit, I see dentists already togged up with mask, gloves and gowns (some parts disposable, others not). One can't really tell if they have changed into a new set, or not.
Once, I was at a busy HDB-based dental clinic. While the dentist treated me, another patient sitting on the other chair in the same room asked her questions about treatment. My dentist went over, examined the patient's mouth and returned to work on mine again - with the same pair of gloves.
In a separate visit to a hospital-based dental centre, I was treated by a senior specialist. The stench of saliva on her gown told me that she had had a long and busy day - too busy perhaps to change her gown.
Dental patients expect dentists to look and be clean, and to be treated in an environment that is just as clean and sterile. But my experiences have told me otherwise.
With the new charges, I would rather visit the polyclinic for dental treatments.
I understand that time is money for private dental establishments, but I hope the Singapore Dental Association not only has guidelines on cleanliness and presentation for its members, but carries out random checks or audits as well. Cindy Chua (Ms)
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to Monday's report, 'New $7 charge by dental chain: Patients feel bite'. I'm surprised at the new charge and shocked that I have been paying $7 just for 'consumables'.
I do not mind the charges, but do dentists, especially those in the private sector, really change into a new set of gown, mask and gloves before treating each new patient?
My experiences tell me otherwise. During each visit, I see dentists already togged up with mask, gloves and gowns (some parts disposable, others not). One can't really tell if they have changed into a new set, or not.
Once, I was at a busy HDB-based dental clinic. While the dentist treated me, another patient sitting on the other chair in the same room asked her questions about treatment. My dentist went over, examined the patient's mouth and returned to work on mine again - with the same pair of gloves.
In a separate visit to a hospital-based dental centre, I was treated by a senior specialist. The stench of saliva on her gown told me that she had had a long and busy day - too busy perhaps to change her gown.
Dental patients expect dentists to look and be clean, and to be treated in an environment that is just as clean and sterile. But my experiences have told me otherwise.
With the new charges, I would rather visit the polyclinic for dental treatments.
I understand that time is money for private dental establishments, but I hope the Singapore Dental Association not only has guidelines on cleanliness and presentation for its members, but carries out random checks or audits as well. Cindy Chua (Ms)
