When will I learn?

I went to the periodontist yesterday. It was very unpleasant … both the procedure and the bill afterwards.

(Ironically his first name is Akila…)

I got tricked by my health fund again. My initial appointment was covered by my health insurance, which lulled me into a false sense of security.

Then I rocked up to have my gums cleaned and walked away with a $2000 bill and no rebate.

Faaaark!

Yesterday was my follow-up appointment. I thought it would be a routine check-up, which involves a very sharp object being inserted between each of your teeth and your gums to measure how badly they are receding.

The periodontist reeled off numbers to his assistant as he jabbed … 1, 1, 3.2, 2, 2, 1, 3.2 …

Apparently anything from 1-3 is good and more than 4 is bad. Last time he took my measurements I had some sixes, gasp, but my gums are now within the healthy range.

Phew. Go me!

But wait, there was more.

Then he inserted a miniature angle-grinder between each tooth to buff off the plaque.

That was unexpected and ouchy.

Then he gifted me a couple of white interdental brushes for my molars, wished me a merry Christmas and told me to come back in 12 months.

Prior to the appointment, when I presumed it was just a check up, I naively thought it would be covered by my astronomically expensive private health insurance.

But when my membership card was scanned at the reception desk, my health fund had other ideas.

It turns out miniature angle grinding pushes you into a special price bracket.

I was cursing my foolishness as $500 was deducted from my savings account.

Not bad for 15 minutes’ work.

When will I learn to read the fine print properly?

I shudder to think how many people can’t afford to get their gums cleaned and end up losing teeth as a consequence.

That’s the scenario the periodontist terrifyingly painted for me before treating my gum disease.

Or have I been hoodwinked out of $2500?

Do you have periodontal health cover? Should I get it or am I better off sucking up the $500 each year?

Song of the day: Barry Manilow “Can’t smile without you”