Should Cruise Lines Have a Dentist Available? - Page 3 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

nealberk · 03-15-2009, 01:42 AM

But to most people, they would rather have the immediate gratification items than the insurance items.

Besides, I do think that a ship MD can handle the basics - if not directly than by a ship to shore consult that most of the larger ships have.

canarymoon · 03-15-2009, 09:32 AM

Lulu - your point is good and logical.
However, if I were the cruise line, I would look at this: How many people on each cruise would use a water park as opposed to the number who would use a dentest? Probaly not a huge profit center...

... unless they could figure a way to offer something like dental make-over cruises for a hefty price! "Cruise the Caribbean and come home with a brand new smile." They are already offering teeth whitening - via the sspa. Why not move that to the onboard dental clinic, along with full mouth implants? THEN they would have a real profit center that could also hanadle dental emergencies...

jemingway · 03-15-2009, 12:43 PM

I voted NO, but I could see having a dentist on a very long cruise.

Char · 03-15-2009, 01:31 PM

I have a question..........who takes care of the crew when they have dental problems?

I would guess the doctor knows enough to treat them until a port is reached.

Does anyone know?

nealberk · 03-15-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canarymoon

Lulu - your point is good and logical.
However, if I were the cruise line, I would look at this: How many people on each cruise would use a water park as opposed to the number who would use a dentest? Probaly not a huge profit center...

... unless they could figure a way to offer something like dental make-over cruises for a hefty price! "Cruise the Caribbean and come home with a brand new smile." They are already offering teeth whitening - via the sspa. Why not move that to the onboard dental clinic, along with full mouth implants? THEN they would have a real profit center that could also hanadle dental emergencies...

An interesting idea but I don't think it would work. Would you want to have all that delicious food set out before you and you too numb with mouth pain and Novocaine to enjoy it?

canarymoon · 03-15-2009, 04:27 PM

Yikes!

So, I guess the same would go for 'face lift cruises,' too, then?

cruisin' chick · 03-15-2009, 10:20 PM

I was wondering if people actually go for the whitening treatments onboard (I guess that's a topic for another poll

). What would be the attraction for passengers to do so? Is it cheaper? Do many people live a distance from a dentist that would do this?

nealberk · 03-16-2009, 12:51 AM

Hey, they have them now in malls. What is interesting is that many states are now requiring them to be done only by a dentist.

Rydon · 04-16-2009, 01:17 PM

Had to visit the medic with my mother on our cruise on the NCL Jade and witnessed a passenger there having arrangements made for the next morning to visit a dentist in Las Palmas. They had emailed them and made an appointment I thiink. Think she'd lost a crown. I suppose its okay providing you're visiting places that you would be happy to have treatment in.

barbee524 · 04-17-2009, 11:09 AM

I went with "other". I don't think it's realistic to expect a dentist onboard. However, I think it would be nice if the cruiseline could provide you with the name of a dentist(s) that is available in the next port.

One of my big fears is having a dental problem while traveling.