We have to salute the New York Times, for a change. Though it frequently agitates for the feds to impose socialized medicine on Americans, it is honest enough to expose the nightmare of the United Kingdom's government health system.
In one of the funniest episodes of "The Simpsons," a deranged dentist terrifies children into brushing and flossing by forcing them to page through a ghastly "Big Book of British Smiles." Americans have long wondered why our English friends have such horrible teeth. Even the likes of Tony Blair and Prince Charles have choppers worthy of a Detroit crack addict or San Francisco vagrant.
Here's one reason: The so-called National Health Service has wreaked havoc on the U.K.'s dental care.
The Times reports that things are so bad that 600 dentally challenged Welshmen laid siege to one dental office in Carmarthen in a desperate effort to get an appointment. People came from 90 miles away, pitched tents and even attempted bribery.
The article features a frightening photo of an unfortunate man named Steven Ackworth attempting a grin.
"My crowns all fell off," he said. "I got some really bad dentistry, and it ruined all my root work. I have no front teeth and one pair of molars, which meet on the right side of my mouth. I can't bite anything."
The dentist in Carmarthen had to turn away 300 angry citizens.
"Because they are paying national insurance, people feel they are entitled to service," said Heather Davies, the office manager.
Imagine that. What nerve, expecting to get what you pay for.
What remains of the free market is keeping the U.K. from losing its last molar and bicuspid. More and more docs are fleeing for private practice.
"Dentists do go private because they don't have to work at the same frenetic pace they do at the NHS, and there is a better quality of care for the dentists," said Stuart Geddes, director of British Dental Association.
Whereas an American dentist sees 12 patients a day, Britain's government dentists must tend to 30, 40 or even 50 mouths a day, the newspaper says.
How nice that we know what to expect when HillaryCare becomes the law of the land.
Editor's note:
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