quasi
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Date: July 24, 2026 11:17AM
The current name for that among U.S. "conservatives" is communism.
They've started throwing the word communism out like it's 1952. They've fucked
up badly with their boy Trump and they need a boogieman to scare people before
the election thinking they are too stupid to know the difference between
democratic socialism and communism which in many cases is true.
quasi
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Date: July 24, 2026 11:39AM
pulse
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Date: July 24, 2026 12:06PM
In a couple of weeks I'm getting my wisdom teeth out.
It'll be at a private hospital, with a skilled dental surgeon, in one of the
most expensive areas of Melbourne. It'll be under a general anaesthetic and I'll
be in for a day.
After my health insurance and medicare I'm expecting to pay probably a grand or
two out of pocket.
Medical stuff can certainly still be expensive here, but the good thing is it's
unlikely to bankrupt you; and there's always public hospitals and doctors as an
option, just a waiting list for non-urgent surgeries.
woberto
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Date: July 25, 2026 01:34AM
Yeah it's been $400 per tooth for the last decade or so.
Medicare have never covered teeth because it's 99% preventable by the
consumer.
They talk about it every election cycle but it always costs too much (it could
double Medicare!).
However the coalition (ha ha) raised the possibility of Medicare covering
dental for retirees and I like that.
It would have benefited my parents and by that age you have certainly
contributed enough to Medicare.
I have never had private health insurance and I pay cash to visit the dentist
once a year and my GP twice a year.
I have never claimed a Medicare rebate.
I would never ever vote to get rid of it however.
Just like vaccines, it works.
pulse
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Date: July 25, 2026 02:01AM
Yeah, not for the surgery, that's private; but the hospital bed will be
partially covered by medicare.
Sadly it's more than $400 per tooth. I think the total bill will be something in
the order of $2K for the surgeon, $3K for anaesthetist, and god knows what for
the bed for the day. But I'm expecting to pay about $1-2K myself.
I pay more in tax in a year than my wife earns from the state government, and
tax benefits ultimately mean private health doesn't cost as much as it otherwise
would. I've paid my share of tax; and 100%, wholeheartedly support medicare for
all and I'm happy to help pay for it.
And I think it should cover dental; however we do actually have some good state
based care for dental here. My mother uses it, always has.
woberto
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Date: July 25, 2026 02:13AM
I had mine done in the dentist char with their choice of anesthetist.
I had to arrange a lift home even though I felt fine and I understand that's
common sense.
My mother may she rest in peace had all her bottom teeth out in her 20s as it
was the cheaper option.*
* the dental school would pull teeth for free but fillings and anything else had
to be paid for.
She grew up dirt poor in Australia but pretty fucking happy.
She had full dentures top & bottom by age 30.
Subsidised dental care would have been a good idea back then but 1940's and 50's
we had bigger problems.
pulse
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Date: July 25, 2026 12:40PM
As a kid we had the dental bus come to school and do check ups and shit. That
was my childhood.
These days it's called the Smile Squad here, and it's free for any student
enrolled in a Victorian school.
And yeah, mum used to go to the dental school and get her stuff done.
quasi
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Date: July 25, 2026 12:46PM
I've been mostly fortunate when it comes to dentition. Never had to have my
wisdom teeth removed because, I think, I have a larger than aver head and jaw
(along with the rest of me). This large head also houses a large brain so y'all
should listen to me, I've got wisdom and the teeth to prove it
quasi
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Date: July 25, 2026 01:24PM
pulse
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Date: July 25, 2026 01:43PM
My lower left wisdom has impacted the tooth next to it.
I've known for 20 years it's growing sideways but the dentist, while saying I
should probably have it out, said if it never impacts then it won't be an issue.
It's clearly impacted now.
It's not bothering me, but I was a bit concerned where they said one day the
tooth next to it will just shatter when I bite something and it will cause pain
100x worse than having it removed.
Then they said they remove as pairs, so both on that side go. And with the way
my wisdoms are, basically said may as well have the other ones out too because I
have a 5% chance per year they'll cause an issue, and while I'm paying for a bed
and anaesthetist I may as well give them more money to do the other side as
well. So fuck it. Booked in for the 7th of August.
I am not looking forward to this. So if I'm not online again by Sunday 9th, I'm
probably dead.
quasi
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Date: July 25, 2026 01:58PM
So you finally had to bite the bullet. (Sorry)
The pain will all be in your head. (Sorry again)
We're all pulling for you. (Sorry x3)
woberto
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Date: July 26, 2026 01:49AM
I had mine removed "on advice" when I turned 50. They caused me no
problems but they were only half up.
You don't want to be an old old man when they do play up and then get
complications.
Maybe I fell for the sales pitch but it made good sense to me.
pulse
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Date: August 07, 2026 12:04PM
Happened today. I think all up it cost me around $1500 ($1K US); private
hospital bed for the day, anaesthetist and dental surgeon, medication and all
that shit.
Ah well. Time to hit up the Tapentadol. Catch you on the flip side.
