[stordoff]

> Don't want to spark a healthcare debate, but want to mention that I bet NONE of the non-US readers on HN would have given a single thought about the costs involved if this was happening in their countries.

UK, and I wouldn't think about it - it's just not a consideration.

I will caveat that by saying dental care is not free[1], but the prices are reasonable - maximum charge £270 (for a single course of treatment and anything within two months of it, for treatments such as bridges, crowns, and denatures), and "If you require urgent care, you'll pay a Band 1 charge of £22.70."/ "There's no dental charge [...] if your dentist has to stop blood loss".

[1] unless you receive certain benefits