Just follow the teeth

All you have to do is look at people's teeth in Germany to see the total lack of understanding the German health care system has for preventive health care. German health insurance for the poor or anyone on Hartz 4, welfare for the long term unemployed, does not cover basic dental care. This has to be paid out of pocket, leading those who can't afford it not going to the dentist. Therefore, rotting teeth.

I went to an eye doctor recently for a check-up. I hadn't had one in several years and thought it time. My explaining to the staff and eventually to the eye doctor that nothing was wrong, I had no problems to report and was just there for an examination, left them befuddled and the service incompetent. I received the quickest eye exam in human history; it lasted about 10 seconds and I was declared in good health. They were simply ill-prepared to deal with a preventative examination.