हजारौं नेपाली विद्यार्थीहरू हरेक वर्ष UK पढ्नका लागि जान्छन्। यो exciting journey सुरु गर्नुअघि, धेरै practical concerns आउँछन्। ती मध्ये एउटा major question हो: “Should I get my dental treatment done in Nepal or wait until I get to the UK?” यो एउटा एकदमै valid question हो, किनभने travel गर्ने बेला दाँत दुखेर stress लिनुभन्दा पहिले नै clear हुन जरुरी छ।
यहाँ नेपाल र UK मा Dental Services को एउटा detailed comparison छ।
Nepal vs. UK: A Practical Comparison for Dental Care
Nepal: The Convenience and Cost-Effectiveness
नेपालमा Dental Treatment गराउनु एकदमै convenient र budget-friendly option हो।
- Cost: The biggest advantage is the cost. नेपालमा एउटा regular filling or extraction को लागि तपाईंलाई NPR 2,000 to NPR 8,000 सम्म मात्र खर्च लाग्न सक्छ। In contrast, UK मा यो treatment £70 (approx. NPR 12,000+) भन्दा बढी हुन्छ, even with the NHS.
- Availability & Appointments: You can get an appointment with a dentist almost immediately. सरकारी वा निजी क्लिनिकमा तपाईंलाई लामो waiting list को झन्झट हुँदैन। You can get your treatment done quickly and efficiently.
- Familiarity & Trust: तपाईं आफ्नो मनपर्ने or recommended dentist सँग उपचार गराउन सक्नुहुन्छ। Google reviews र personal recommendations बाट पनि राम्रो डाक्टर choose गर्न सजिलो हुन्छ। You’re in a familiar environment, and you can communicate your concerns clearly without any language barrier.
UK: The NHS System & Its Limitations
विद्यार्थी भिसामा UK जाँदा तपाईंले Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) तिर्नुहुन्छ, जसले तपाईंलाई NHS services access गर्न eligible बनाउँछ। तर, Dental Care को मामलामा केही limitations छन्।
- Subsidized, Not Free: Contrary to popular belief, NHS dental treatment is not free. It’s subsidized, meaning you still have to pay a significant amount. A basic treatment like filling or extraction falls under Band 2, which costs £70.70.
- Long Waiting Times: This is perhaps the biggest downside. Finding an NHS dentist who is accepting new patients can be a challenge. You might have to wait for weeks or even months for a routine appointment. If you have a dental emergency, you might be forced to go to a private clinic, which can be extremely expensive, with costs easily exceeding £100-£200.
- Complexity: The process of registering with an NHS dentist and getting an appointment can be confusing and time-consuming for new students.
The Verdict: Why Nepal is the Smarter Choice
UK जानुअघि नै नेपालमा आफ्नो दाँतको सम्पूर्ण check-up गराएर treatment लिनु सबैभन्दा बुद्धिमानी निर्णय हो।
- Peace of Mind: Travel गर्दा or UK पुगेको केही दिनमा दाँत दुख्ने समस्याले तपाईंको सुरुवाती experience लाई affect गर्न सक्छ। सबै treatment नेपालमै गराएर जाँदा, you can start your UK journey stress-free.
- Financial Savings: तपाईंले हजारौं रुपैयाँ बचत गर्न सक्नुहुन्छ, जुन तपाईंलाई UK मा अन्य essential खर्चको लागि काम लाग्छ।
- Time Savings: UK मा लामो waiting times र appointment को झन्झटबाट बच्न सकिन्छ।
Dr. Sandeep Shrestha, a dental specialist, advises, “It’s highly recommended for students to get a thorough dental check-up and complete any necessary treatment before they travel abroad. It ensures they are healthy and can focus on their studies without any unexpected dental issues.”