Un FACUA study on prices of dental treatments, qualified by the General Council of Dentists as incomplete and not very rigorous
Although we do not like to enter into controversies, as dentists we find it necessary to echo this news, especially because of the confusion it can create in the general population when deciding on private dentistry services.
First of all, we believe that it is a mistake to consider the treatments of dental specialists as products. Dentistry is a comprehensive service in which many factors must be assessed, such as the training of the professional, experience, the time dedicated to studying and diagnosing patients... In other words, a series of services and attentions that on many occasions are unknown and not taken into account. In addition, the quality of the materials and the technology used are undoubtedly elements that influence the overall result of the treatment to be highly satisfactory.
In his studio, FACUA compared the prices of the four most common dental treatments: extraction, filling, oral cleaning and endodontics. The study was conducted by telephone, in 150 dental clinics in 14 Spanish cities. FACUA's conclusion regarding the results is to deduce that the sector's profit margins can become abusive, since price differences of up to 420% appear.
But Is this kind of biased and sensational information good for patients? Undoubtedly, patients should be aware at all times of the rates of their health center, as well as an approximate budget. But the treatments can be very different for each patient, and that is without going into more specialized services, which include, for example, immediate loading implantology or dental aesthetics, which is why it is very difficult to generalize. It would be similar to asking for a quote to rehabilitate a kitchen: it will depend on the meters, the finishes, the materials... In short, apples and pears cannot be compared. It should also be noted that on many occasions the prices indicated by clinics oriented exclusively to economic profitability are mere advertising hooks, and they base their profitability on volume strategies, which is sometimes achieved by indicating unnecessary and low-quality treatments.
Inaki Cercadillo, director of the Dental Clinic ahoahstands out above all the great difference that evaluating products and services supposes, and the damage that studies like this suppose for patients, since it gives them a biased view of the dental sector and raises erroneous expectations that can cause a distance between patient and specialist, to the detriment of consolidating a doctor-patient relationship based on trust, so beneficial and necessary for an optimal result of any treatment. treatment.