RE: The Price of Care: Should We Negotiate in Clinics?
This is a difficult topic - and doesn't just concern medical services, I think. Even craftsmen do not want to and should not sell themselves short and be fairly remunerated for their work and services. Unfortunately, this means that some services are not affordable for some people. Not because they are stingy (of course there are some). But because they simply can't afford the necessary money.
Should you be able to see their poverty in their sad smiles? From the mouldy garden gate? By their torn clothes?
In our societies, no matter where in the world, it would no longer be necessary for not everyone to be able to take advantage of every necessary and appropriate service. But it is. And it will remain so as long as money is the unit of measurement in which everything is weighed up.
In the specific example you gave - root canal treatment with subsequent crowning - it would currently be around EUR 2,300 (approx. STEEM 17,250) that a patient would have to pay. Very few people can afford that out of pocket... Not everyone can get a loan and a common alternative is to seek treatment abroad, which is much cheaper. Turkey, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria... These are the destinations where German patients like to go.
Not the solution either, is it?
I definitely see where you’re coming from, and to some extent, I agree with your point. It’s true that financial situations vary greatly, and not everyone can afford dental treatments easily. As healthcare providers, we should absolutely be mindful of that and try to accommodate patients where we can. Compassion and flexibility are important, especially in a country like Pakistan where economic disparities are so pronounced.
That said, if I think about it as a clinician, and even as someone who’s been on the asking end of discounts. There’s another side to this. No matter how low you set the price, there will always be people who ask for further concessions. Even if services were free, some might still expect additional perks or exceptions. It’s just human nature, and while it’s understandable, it’s also something we have to factor in when discussing pricing.
Another thing to consider is the actual cost of dental treatments here. The materials, equipment, and expertise involved aren’t cheap, and clinics have to sustain themselves too. If prices are slashed too much, it becomes hard to maintain quality or even keep the practice running. It’s a tough balance. We want to help as many people as possible, but we also can’t undervalue the work that goes into these procedures.
And I'm not even talking about lab fees. Alot of money goes to the lab for all the prosthetic treatments such as caps etc.
I’m not calling anyone out, by the way. That’s why I wanted others to share their perspectives too, maybe there’s a middle ground we’re missing. One possible solution could be insurance covering dental care, but let’s be honest, in Pakistan, insurance isn’t common for most people. Even when it’s available, dental coverage is often limited or nonexistent.
At the end of the day, it’s a complex issue with no perfect answer. All we can do is try to be fair, transparent, and empathetic while also being realistic about the challenges on both sides. Would love to hear more thoughts on how we can make things work better for everyone.
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