Health System commentary, Portugal

I just returned from the dentist, and the pharmacy. The young dentist diagnosed my toothache as an infection, for which she prescribed some amoxicillin, as well as ibuprofen for the inflammation. She took several spot x-rays and used several tests to ensure the diagnosis -- i.e. no other teeth involved. She told me the goodnews/badnews: no other teeth are involved; it's likely a deeply-buried infection of an old root canal, which will likely recur in a few...and thus will likely mean eventual replacement of the tooth. However, antibiotics should stave off the infection for the time being, and we hope the time will be long.

This commentary is more about the cost and procedures in Portugal -- the dental clinic, perfectly shiny new clean modern, charged me 33euros total. Self-pay.

Further, the dentist keyed in the prescription completely online, attached to my unique Portugal SNS health-number (separate from my NIF tax number and my NISS social security number!). That sent a message to my Portugal phone number. I went to my local new clean modern pharmacy, showed them the phone message. In 2 minutes, I had the antibiotics and ibuprofen in hand, for 6.72euros. Is that efficient, or what?

Similar stories about medical treatment abound, from my fellow Americans...in Portugal, that is.

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