SiO deals with cavities in Student Welfare
If you have cavities and do not want to spend thousands on treating them, you should wait until October. Then an on-campus dental service will be opening.
På norsk;)
Following pressure from the Student Parliament and Velferdstinget (a student body governing the welfare of students), the Foundation for Student Life in Oslo (SiO) has decided to open an on-campus dental service on behalf of the students. Student costs as regards dental care will be reduced to half compared to what the market is offering today.
Leader of Velferdstinget Inge Carlen is very pleased:
“Social security benefits are not developed to a satisfactory extent with regards to dental care in Norway. This effects the economically challenged such as the students. It is great that SiO now deals with the problem,” he says.
Complete Health Services
Medical superintendent at Student Health Services Cecilie Daae is very proud that SiO can now provide such a complete service with medical doctors, a psychological and psychiatric section, physical therapy and now dentists.
“The dental service will mainly aim at prevention and preservation. In other words, severe cases and beauty-related problems will still only be treated by other dentists,” she explains.
For the time being, two dentists will be employed.
“Time will tell whether this is ample. However, it is a good start,” she states.
Money Machine
“That is just great,” Helge Reno (23), a Philosophy student, says. He just came back from the dentist and was told that he had three cavities, which would set him back NOK 3500.
“I am now considering waiting until October. Lots of money to be saved! However, one cavity is somewhat urgent. So I will have to see!”
He believes that there are many students who do not take care of their teeth. His view is supported by a recent survey made by TNS Gallup in 2004 on health and welfare of students in Trondheim. A shocking 80 per cent answered that they rarely see a dentist due to the costs. The findings in this survey have among others influenced SiO to do something about the dental care of students.
