Having healthy teeth and careful never been a necessity especially cheap. Experts recommend at least twice yearly visits to the dentist to maintain proper oral health but economic problems passing families currently prevent, in many cases, access to this type of treatment.
The university dental clinics have become an outlet for many people who decide to go into the hands of students of Dentistry moved by the discounts they offer this type of facility.
And is that the powers are authentic and fully equipped clinics, where students conduct their practice with real patients, at prices considerably lower than those that can be found on the street, which aim to offset the lack of experience.
Only in the city of Valencia there are four of these clinics, which correspond to the University of Valencia, the CEU Cardenal Herrera, Universidad Europea de Madrid (UEM) and the Catholic University of Valencia (UCV). All except the clinic of the University, have experienced a significant increase in patients in the last year. In the case of CEU, the increase over the past year was 15% and already serving over 3,500 patients per year. EMU, which is the most recent, already has nearly 200 patients a week who come to perform all kinds of treatments, but it is certainly the University of Valencia's most in demand, with a waiting list of approximately 1,500 patients. Also, Catholic University experienced an increase of 22.5% and now has nearly 2,500 new patients a year. So far, 2013 have treated nearly 900 visits, so ensure that the growth trend is maintained.
Are there business?
Although it is only aimed at academic institutions in teaching, in the shadow of profit increasingly under plans by such clinics. The president of the College of Dentistry and Stomatology of Valencia, Enrique Llobell, told this newspaper that "have always seen patients in the university as part of training" but rejected it seeks full do business with this type of assistance .
"We are totally against that universities can profit from these clinics," he said. He noted that the level of assistance that can be given in a university clinic "never" be the same as the licensed dentist can give.
Has been told WORLD, some of these clinics have had to hire graduates and dentists to provide assistance in periods in which no student-exams and holidays. All agree that the fees charged to patients are used to cover the costs of equipment and facilities maintenance, so all profits reinvested. In fact, some are made as foundations. However, the sharp eye dentists are graduates with university clinics to not produce unfair competition in the market.
Meanwhile, patients, oblivious to the problem and concerned mainly for their pockets, are increasingly opting for dentists in training. Security Prices and universities trying to sell - "students are accompanied by qualified dentists" - are some of the keys to success. Although, as always, what else is running is the "word of mouth".
The rates
University of Valencia. It has the lowest-like street. A filling around 30 euros, invisible orthodontics, about $ 3,000. The clinic director, José Manuel Almerich, says they have priced careful not to harm the professionals.
CEU Cardenal Herrera. Review services, diagnosis, and cleanup budget are completely free. Fillings cost about 25 euros, root canal treatments 120.
EMU. They would not provide a list of rates on the web although advertised free cleanings and fluoridation.
Catholic University. They do not offer any treatment for free but they have reasonable prices. Cleanings and fillings to 10 euro between 25 and 40 euros.
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