If people suffer from dental caries then it was probably their own fault. David accuses dentists in general for charging high fees because they are “getting at you” (Inciting class warfare often goes down well politically) and that they are “at the top of the heap”. I found the comments in his letter to be at the bottom of the heap in terms of making much sense.

Most dentists work very hard in an ethical manner. They employ staff often in a ratio of two per dentist. They work in modern clinics with very expensive equipment. They comply with onerous and expensive regulatory regimes.

Mr Beard seemed to be knowledgeable in many areas although he couldn’t be bothered to check the facts of the survey he quoted.

He obviously has no knowledge regarding business costs. Yes, an hour of chairside time would cost $400 or more. But has Mr Beard ever needed the services of an accountant, lawyer, surgeon, firefighter or plumber?

Most dentists earn less than early morning television presenters, AFL footballers and national cricketers. Yes, some dentists do charge in an unethical manner.

I find that to be abhorrent but please refrain from grouping all dentists together.

Recently a disappointing meeting was held at the Chiltern Hospital between Indigo Health North CEO, Shane Kirk and 30 concerned citizens.

The audience had been promised the results of the health survey and a glimpse of the elusive Amalgamation Agreement of 2008.

An INH board member apologised for the lack of results of the survey which was bad enough but then to top it off, nobody got a chance to study the copy of the agreement because it was held ever so tightly in Mr Kirk’s hand.

Councillor Barbara Murdoch, who was on the boards of Chiltern and INH at the time of amalgamation, was uncharacteristically unable to clarify the confusion for the audience.

It is clear to me that INH has no intention of ever again providing those excellent medical rooms for a doctor.  I was also saddened to see my former workplace stripped of furniture and fittings, most of which had been stuffed into the former treatment room.

It now seems that INH's actions will render Chiltern the only major town in the Indigo Shire to be without a doctor. This is very sad. I walked past the gutted kitchen too. At least they left the floorboards.

In the audience there were three elderly members of the original Bush Nursing Hospital board who had traveled long distances to Chiltern for the meeting.

I cannot imagine the depth of their disappointment on listening to the jargon from the Rutherglen boffins now in charge of the destiny of Chiltern Hospital which was built for the community by the sacrifices of these great people.

Chiltern citizens, our politicians and our Indigo Shire councillors must now stand up and prevent this tragedy from ever happening.