Real Question: Why Do Brits "traditionally" Have Bad Teeth?

[MrChug]

:downspin:I really can't make the correlation here. If anyone knows, please post! Thanks!!!

[ashbeeigh]

bad luck?

[balli]

I don't know why, but I talk shit to them about it when I play COD4 late night. That and I tell them The Beatles suck. Gets em' all riled up.

[HighLowLobForBig-50]

i always thought it was a combo of bad dental habbits and the water over there

[Mister Sinister]

I say!

[balli]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/01/18/do1802.xml


In Britain today, you can stuff yourself on deep-fried Mars Bars, drink 20 pints a night, inject yourself with heroin, smoke 60 cigarettes a day or decide to change your sex - and the NHS has an obligation to treat you. You might go on a waiting list, but it will do its best to cure your lung cancer, patch up your nose after a drunken brawl or give you a hip replacement. It doesn't charge for operations or beds; it may even throw in some half-edible food.

But if you have bad teeth, forget it. You may be rolling on the bathroom floor in agony with an abscess, your gums may be riddled with disease, or people may recoil at the sight of your fangs as you walk down the street, but the NHS doesn't have to help you.

It is now virtually impossible for many people to find an NHS dentist, and if they do manage to squeeze on to a list, they could still be charged 80 per cent of the cost of treatment - unless they are a child, pregnant or on benefits.

The health service under both the Tories and Labour has victimised the dentally challenged - that is, anyone who hasn't inherited strong teeth and a perfect picket fence smile. Few can easily afford to go to any dentist now. My husband went to a private dentist after a 15-year gap, and was left reeling after they extracted £2,000 for 12 fillings. My three-year-old son received a bill for £90 after I stupidly asked my private dentist whether she could have a quick look at his teeth.

A survey by Mori for the Citizens Advice Bureau this week found that seven and a half million Britons have failed to gain access to an NHS dentist in the past two years. In one quarter of the country, no NHS dentists are allowing new patients to join their lists. And despite government targets that every child should have his teeth seen by an expert every year, more than one in three children never see an NHS dentist.

Families such as mine, who have large, unruly teeth, have become part of a new genetic underclass, discriminated against by the state. If my parents had been forced to pay the dentist's bills when we were children, they would have gone broke. My teeth were so bad at the age of 13 that the head of orthodontics at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford heard about me, and took me on as a case history. Three years of tram tracks, elastic bands and the removal of eight teeth later, and I am a shining example of the orthodontist's art; but every time one of my children loses a milk tooth, I know it could cost far more than £1 for the tooth fairy.

The situation for adults is even worse. One friend, Victoria, was told that a crown would cost her £700 privately, the price of her summer holiday. The queue for an NHS dentist was so long that her tooth broke before it was treated and she had to spend £350 having it pulled out. She should have followed the example of the Wiltshire toothache sufferer who told the Citizens Advice Bureau that he now takes out many of his teeth in his shed - with pliers. More than one in 20 have said they resort to DIY surgery.

There is, of course, the option to go private, but with more and more former NHS patients forced to pay, dentists' charges are now the most expensive in Europe.

Having bad teeth can blight your life. Britain used to be known for its terrible incisors In Mexico, bad teeth are called "dientes ingles". But gradually we have caught up with America. Now bad teeth are now seen as unacceptably sloppy: no presenter would be allowed on children's television without a polished grin. Even Gordon Brown appeared to have had his teeth fixed before he became Prime Minister. As the public face of the nation's teeth has improved, so has the pressure on everyone else. As a country, we spend £360 million on cosmetic dentistry a year.

But there are increasingly two dental nations in Britain and those who can't afford the fees have worse teeth than ever before. With bad teeth, you are less likely to find a good job or a successful relationship. The elderly, in particular, can find their lives racked by toothache and an inability to eat properly. Gum disease also increases the risk of mouth cancer, and pancreatic cancer in men.

This is a deep-rooted problem that needs a drill taken to it. The Government should start by scrapping the new contract that it introduced for dentists in 2006. Dentists are now paid a fixed fee, in exchange for completing a certain number of units of NHS dental activity a year: the net result is that idle dentists never get round to seeing enough patients - and their funding is subsequently reduced - and energetic dentists are forced to look to the private sector for more work after they fill their quota. In 1990, only six per cent of dentists' income came from private patients; now it's 58 per cent. Worse, NHS dentists now receive the same amount of money for six fillings as for one, so there is no incentive to take on complex cases.

Our dentists are trained at a cost of £175,000 by the NHS, so they should be expected to work within the sector for a number of years. And we need more of them. America has twice as many per head as does Poland - half of whom are here. Britain only has 3.7 dentists per 10,000 people. Even if you find an NHS dentist, it's not all smiles: the cost of a filling has gone up from £14 to £43 in the past few years. The NHS budget has doubled in the past decade while dentistry decayed. The Government has finally started filling the financial gap but, as usual it has gone on bureaucracy.

Healthy teeth used to be seen as a sign of a modern society. Now because of our first-world diets and third-world dental care, we have 19th-century teeth. Britain has to take its teeth seriously again or we will soon be back to wooden dentures.

[T Park]

Nationalized health care folks.

Thats what Barack wants to do, and look at what a clusterfuck it is in England.

[Anti.Hero]

You won't even be able to keep yo teef! They will give them to the less fortunate!!!!

[balli]

Nationalized health care folks.

Thats what Barack wants to do, and look at what a clusterfuck it is in England.

I don't really want to debate natl. healthcare in here, but the begining gist of the article was that it works out in nearly all instances, including bar fights and drug overdoses, besides dental care.

[Don Quixote]

This is one reason half the Islamic world is immigrating to the UK, France, Holland, and Germany. Social services! They're not all that great, but it's better than the majority would get in their native countries.

[Anti.Hero]

This is one reason half the Islamic world is immigrating to the UK, France, Holland, and Germany. Social services! They're not all that great, but it's better than the majority would get in their native countries.

Those suckers are missing out on some great health care and edumacation over here mang!

Sincerely,
Your friendly neighborhood illegal! ayayay

[ashbeeigh]

The situation for adults is even worse. One friend, Victoria, was told that a crown would cost her £700 privately, the price of her summer holiday. The queue for an NHS dentist was so long that her tooth broke before it was treated and she had to spend £350 having it pulled out.


Vacation or my health? Hmmm....

[Anti.Hero]

Vacation or my health? Hmmm....

Meaningless vacations or a nice retirement. The choice is made daily.

[exstatic]

GB was the sugar consumption capitol of the world before we were.

[Borosai]

Real Answer: During infancy, instead of a bottle they get a pint, and instead of a pacifier they get a cig.

[Dex]

I don't know why, but I talk shit to them about it when I play COD4 late night. That and I tell them The Beatles suck. Gets em' all riled up.


This is mature on so many levels.

[balli]

This is mature on so many levels.


Hey man, didn't claim it was mature. Besides, I only wear a headset maybe 10% of the time anyway and I'm usually not pre-emptive about rousting people. Late at night though those British fucks like to run their mouths and I'm usually in the right mood at about 3 AM to talk a little shit.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

listen to Pink Telephone from Deftones latest disc.

[peewee's lovechild]

Nationalized health care folks.

Thats what Barack wants to do, and look at what a clusterfuck it is in England.

$1 U.S. = 2 English pounds.

What the hell are you talking about?

Their economy is much stronger than ours. We're in a clusterfuck thanks to your precious party.

[Extra Stout]

I suppose the British are genetically predisposed to bad teeth.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

$1 U.S. = 2 English pounds.



You have it backwards.

$1 GBP = $2 US

[MrChug]

I suppose the British are genetically predisposed to bad teeth.

THATS IT!! Thank you all for your input but ES FTW. :lol

[mrsmaalox]

Wasn't much different here in the U.S. pre-flouridation.

[Extra Stout]

THATS IT!! Thank you all for your input but ES FTW. :lol
The British are also genetically predisposed to greater mammary size in their females. It's an interesting case study to see how they have diverged genetically from German Saxons in the past 1500 years.

P.S. The pedantic tone above was intentionally affected in order to avoid the appearance of prurience.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

The British are also genetically predisposed to greater mammary size in their females.
nice

[peewee's lovechild]

You have it backwards.

$1 GBP = $2 US

:lol:lol

That's what I meant.

That was a stupid mistake.

[peewee's lovechild]

The British are also genetically predisposed to greater mammary size in their females.


Them good genes.

[Don Quixote]

The British are also genetically predisposed to greater mammary size in their females. It's an interesting case study to see how they have diverged genetically from German Saxons in the past 1500 years.


Worthless without ... well, you know.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

Worthless without ... well, you know.just look up sophie howard, lucy pinder, and michelle marsh.

[Extra Stout]

Worthless without ... well, you know.
I predict a church scandal in your future.

[Extra Stout]

I feel called by God to join the Anglican Church.

[Extra Stout]

No you don't. I indwell your heart.

[Jimcs50]

Nationalized health care folks.

Thats what Barack wants to do, and look at what a clusterfuck it is in England.


Hardly

[Don Quixote]

Don Quixote: I'm going to become an Anglican.

Not likely. I do respect their scholarship and, to the extent that they are orthodox, their contribution to theology and ethics (O'Donovan, Newbigin, et al). One of my best friends, an Anglican missionary somewhere in the Middle East, is one of many Anglicans more or less fed up with North American Anglicans (Episcopals), for obvious reasons -- no biblical mooring to their belief systems, acceptance of un-christian conduct in their clergy, etc.

If I would ever accept infant baptism, I would consider, however, becoming a conservative Anglican.

[Don Quixote]

I predict a church scandal in your future.

NOOO!!!

(And how is it scandalous to want visual evidence for your statements about English women?)

[Extra Stout]

NOOO!!!

(And how is it scandalous to want visual evidence for your statements about English women?)
Did you ask for visual evidence about the statements regarding British teeth? :downspin:

[Extra Stout]

Church elder: Pastor, Sara, the nubile, voluptuous, 18-year-old daughter of the Johnsons, that nice family from England, has once again come to church scantily clad. Somebody needs to admonish her about it.

Pastor: Bring her to my office and let's examine the visual evidence.

[Don Quixote]

I see nothing wrong with that scenario.

[Extra Stout]

I see nothing wrong with that scenario.
Being a pastor has its privileges.

[Don Quixote]

I'm not actually a pastor. Maybe one day, but not at the moment.

And if there really has been some beautiful nubile young thing wearing all manner of scantliness, I'm sure there is already a multitude of visual evidence. A private conference would not be necessary. I actually don't meet with wimmin privately anyway.


And ... who wants to see British teeth anyway?

[Extra Stout]

I'm not actually a pastor. Maybe one day, but not at the moment.

And if there really has been some beautiful nubile young thing wearing all manner of scantliness, I'm sure there is already a multitude of visual evidence. A private conference would not be necessary. I actually don't meet with wimmin privately anyway.


And ... who wants to see British teeth anyway?
Be careful not to trip while backpedaling. :downspin:

[Don Quixote]

Hey, I'm not the one who brought up English mammaries. That's all you. I'm just dealing with the situation. If I were (liberal) Anglican, I would perhaps consider viewing the visual evidence, repeatedly, as an expression of my God-given urges, and completely within the norms of good conduct.

[Extra Stout]

Hey, I'm not the one who brought up English mammaries. That's all you.
Research shows that male sexual stimulation is not primarily verbal, but rather visual. So I didn't post pictures. I was looking out for you. I'd hate for you to have to gouge out your eye; thereafter your job prospects would be limited to pirate churches.


I'm just dealing with the situation. If I were (liberal) Anglican, I would perhaps consider viewing the visual evidence, repeatedly, as an expression of my God-given urges, and completely within the norms of good conduct.
Depends upon the liberal theology used. I think according to feminist theology, your indulgence of your urges would be oppressive bondage from which women need to be liberated.

[Don Quixote]

Maybe. I'm going through Stott's ethic right now (another Anglican!) and he writes that feminist theology (and secular feminism) rightfully reacted against this kind of over-patriarchy that was imposed upon culture. It was actually useful in getting the church out of this wrong, and unbiblical, view that men were overlords and rulers in the church and home. Of course, they took it too far, but the feminists had a valid bone to pick.

And thanks for the lookout -- but I've already severed both my hands and one of my eyes. I actually type using voice-recognition software.

[Don Quixote]

At least I didn't go as far as Origen ... who voluntarily castrated himself!

[Extra Stout]

At least I didn't go as far as Origen ... who voluntarily castrated himself!
But he did have a wonderful singing voice.

[Extra Stout]

And thanks for the lookout -- but I've already severed both my hands and one of my eyes.
If you get a hook I guarantee a pirate church will hire you.

[Don Quixote]

I did not know that about him! Are there any extant recordings?

In fact, we don't have alot of Origen's stuff anymore. It's a shame, because we really have him to thank for the classic formulation of the Trinity. I think Chalcedon (451) overreacted against his writings. But what a mind!

What would he have thought about 2d century baptisms, which were in the nude? Too much juggage?

[Extra Stout]

I did not know that about him! Are there any extant recordings?

In fact, we don't have alot of Origen's stuff anymore. It's a shame, because we really have him to thank for the classic formulation of the Trinity. I think Chalcedon (451) overreacted against his writings. But what a mind!

What would he have thought about 2d century baptisms, which were in the nude? Too much juggage?
That explains why they needed deaconesses.

[Extra Stout]

I think Chalcedon (451) overreacted against his writings. But what a mind!
It's spelled 'Arminian,' not 'Armenian.'

[Don Quixote]

Origin was Arminian? Perhaps we are being anachronistic a wee bit?

And why, again, do older Brits have such bad teeth? Have we found out why yet? My theory is that western Europeans of the WW2 generation, in general, endured such hardships and economic distress that they could not afford luxuries such as dentists, or even toothpaste! I bet you'd be hard-pressed to find an Italian or Frenchmen from that generation who has great teeth.

[Saguaro]

Origin was Arminian? Perhaps we are being anachronistic a wee bit?
I hate it when I have to explain my jokes.

Armenians are non-Chalcedonian.

[Don Quixote]

So they are. What exactly is it about Chalcedon that the Armenian church rejects?

Is it monophysite?

[Extra Stout]

So they are. What exactly is it about Chalcedon that the Armenian church rejects?

Is it monophysite?
Miaphysite.

[Extra Stout]

And why, again, do older Brits have such bad teeth? Have we found out why yet? My theory is that western Europeans of the WW2 generation, in general, endured such hardships and economic distress that they could not afford luxuries such as dentists, or even toothpaste! I bet you'd be hard-pressed to find an Italian or Frenchmen from that generation who has great teeth.

America was not exactly wealthy in the 1930's.

Younger Brits still have lousy teeth.

Africans half-starved living in putrid slums with no hygiene have gleaming white choppers, while Prince Charles is a snaggletooth.

It's genetic.

[Don Quixote]

A good counterexample.

So, can modern hygiene, fluoridation and toothpaste overcome the British predisposition for bad teeth?

[Extra Stout]

A good counterexample.

So, can modern hygiene, fluoridation and toothpaste overcome the British predisposition for bad teeth?
We need to civilize the British first, before we bring dental reform.

[ShoogarBear]

Hardly

What the hell, Jim? Sounds like you need to go on a humanitarian mission to England.

[Don Quixote]

We need to civilize the British first, before we bring dental reform.

Insert easy joke here -- about how the English were civilized before it began its fall to Islam.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

listen to Pink Telephone from Deftones latest disc.
i'm sorry. it's Pink Cellphone you need to listen to. Look up the lyrics and you'll see why

[balli]

In addition to the NHS not covering dental care Time magazine reports that of the 14 million Brits who are covered for dental insurance less than 7% actually use the benefits. Still didn't say why though.

Britain's Nuffield Foundation, hoping to find out, last week gave $360,000 to four universities to look hard into the British mouth. Some suspected that part of the money had best be invested in propaganda against indifference: of the 14,000,000 Britons whose insurance entitles them to dental care, less than 7% apply for it.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,792470,00.html

And according to NPR, Britain's Commisson for Patient and Public involvement found 6% of Britons have performed major dental work on their own, without the help of professional dentists.


A new report from Britain's Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health finds that 6 percent of those surveyed had treated themselves, including pulling out their own teeth or using superglue to put crowns back on.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/news/2007/10/study_british_pulling_their_ow.html

[Extra Stout]

In addition to the NHS not covering dental care Time magazine reports that of the 14 million Brits who are covered for dental insurance less than 7% actually use the benefits. Still didn't say why though.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,792470,00.html

:lmao at ballijuana referencing a 63-year-old Time article.

Although it demonstrates the problem is not new.

[balli]

:lmao at ballijuana referencing a 63-year-old Time article.


No shit? :lol

I didn't check the date, but I guess their online archives go back farther than I assumed.

[ShoogarBear]

:lmao at ballijuana referencing a 63-year-old Time article.

Although it demonstrates the problem is not new.

Yeah, I remember when somebody first posted that on FortWaynePistonsTalk.

[Extra Stout]

Yeah, I remember when somebody first posted that on FortWaynePistonsTalk.
Back then, they called a forum a "party line" and you literally talked.