On having a tooth extracted and single payer health care...

[MineralMan]

So, the gauze pad is out of my mouth as I start this thread. Yup, I went to the dentist and got a tooth pulled. It's not a really important one, and there are still plenty of teeth back there to chew my gruel. A couple of days of some gum pain and all that will be left is a gap. The gap won't show.

No big deal. Except that I could have kept the tooth. A root canal and a crown would have saved it. That wasn't happening, though. I don't have $2000 just hanging around to save a premolar. So out it came. The dentist said that he's pulling more teeth these days than doing crowns, and that my story was typical. Instead of $2000, I only had to put $144 on my credit card. It's the wrong time of the month to cough up that much in cash, especially since my 55 year old wife's health insurance payment has been raised to $906 per month. She has some preexisting conditions, so we can't look for a cheaper policy.

Now, had I been diligent about cleanings and dental visits, it probably would have been saved, too. I know that, but those visits aren't in the budget, either. Things have been very, very tight for the past couple of years, when those visits might have saved that tooth. Oh, well.

Now, if we had comprehensive health care in this country, on a single-payer, tax-supported basis, I'd still have my tooth. Even if the health care didn't cover dental expenses (which it should), I'd have been able to afford a visit or two to the dentist for a cleaning and examination and I would have a cheap amalgam filling in that tooth. But I didn't, so it's gone now. That's the fourth one gone in my 65 year, each because I could not afford to save it.

Medicare doesn't cover dental, either, so I'm out of luck.

Single-payer health care. Let's get it, so that everyone can afford to get their ailments treated, OK?

[MineralMan]

1. Oh, yeah...there's one good thing...

The dentist's assistant was a very nice young woman from Poland with a very pretty accent. She winked at me while the dentist was wiggling my tooth around with his pliers, getting it loosened up to pull. Nothing like a wink from a pretty young woman to make a 65-year-old guy forget that there's a guy messing with his teeth. :rofl:

[NeedleCast]

2. Dental Work and Insurance

I recently went to the dentist for the first time in about 10 years. The last time I saw a dentist was while I was still in the Army and they butchered two of my teeth (not saying that all Army dentists are bad, just the one I ran into).

Some background. To say that I don't like the dentist office is a giant understatement. Granted, none of us like going to the dentist. I have an extreme phobia. As in, can't physically walk in the door. Would try to fight my way out if not sedated. If I had a choice between making another tour of Afghanistan and going to the Dentist, I'd have to think real hard about it. So yeah..bad.

I've known I needed a lot of dental work done because after my experience in the Army I just wouldn't go to the dentist anymore. I've ignored dental problems for years. Last month I developed an infected abscese that caused me blinding pain for 72 hours before I broke down and went to see a dentist. I had to be sedated to go and my girlfriend had to go with me and basically hold my hand the entire time...and that was to take X-rays and get a checkup with no cleaning or instruments other than the little hand mirror thing they use.

Anyway, I got two options for the work I need done. I have one tooth (a wisdom tooth) that will need to be extraced. No reason to try and save it. I have three other teeth where I will either need a crown or have an option of an implant. One tooth needs to have a small cavity filled. Or, I can just get them all pulled (except for the minor cavity tooth).

The option to actually do the crowns/implants is just under 7,000 dollars. Dental insurance will cover none of it (as it's elective)
the option to pull four teeth and fill a cavity came in at just over 1,000 dollars.
None of this includes sedation which will cost another 400 dollars per visit, and insurance will not cover sedation.

So yeah. I'm on board.

[MedicalAdmin]

10. I haven't seen a dentist in almost 10 years.

I'm pretty sure I need some work done and a few local dentists are advertising an screening exam with X-ray for about $40 which I can swing, but I figure that I can't afford to get any work done, so why would I want the stress of KNOWING I need work done and not being able to afford it.

If it gets bad I'll just go down to the dental college, volunteer, and let them yank em all out. I just know that I'm not getting amalgam put in. I'd rather be toothless.

[pitohui]

28. ok i'll tell you what you can do with those free/cheap screens

you will need to use a little social engineering to get a copy of the x-ray after they give you the screening and their treatment plan

my husband made up a story about his company's insurance plan needed to see them, it worked, even tho his company's insurance plan doesn't cover dental, cripes, nobody's does!

anyway, once you have the x-rays and know what you're dealing with, if you actually have a supposedly costly problem, in that way, you can then send the information to the mexican or costa rican dentist of your choice, we go to mexico, it's helpful to have some info in advance for the dentist if you don't live that close to the border

there are low mercury amalgams, even in mexico, going toothless is not a good decision because you lose jaw and eventually you might have trouble eating even with dentures, i mean, if you're old already, it's one thing, but say you're 40, you would like your jaw to last another 40 or 50 years, it probably starts with saving your teeth

everybody thinks they'll go down to the dental college, try it once, just once, to see how far down on the waiting list (i'm not talking hours, i'm talking months) and then you'll realize why you're probably not going to do that

good luck but it's silly to just give up on your mouth

american dentists engage in too much fraud, for too much big money, don't be shocked to find out you don't need a root canal (or not as many as the first dentist claims)

my husband turned out not to need ANY, his teeth are great years later and, needless to say, he has never returned to the dishonest local dentist, he did find a new local dentist who is honest and can keep his teeth cleaned/checked w.out making shit up!

[MedicalAdmin]

33. I live in Minnesota. Im pretty sure mexico is not an option.

And getting medical record is simple. You ask for them.

I understand the issues regarding jaw/teeth etc. I just don't have $$$ to do anything about it so why worry? But driving to Mexico or flying to costa rica is not in my budget... Thanks for your concern. *smiles*

[Raschel]

21. What type of sedation are you talking about? Not to be crass, but just having a local is not painful

[footinmouth]

30. Needlepoint - I feel your pain

I really do. I was in a similar situation with an abscess. I wound up going to an oral surgeon to have the mess taken care of. They gave me some sort of inhalation anesthesia andI never felt a thing. Everything in my upper jaw had loosened up and pretty much came out during the procedure. This was back in 1996. I've got a nice upper denture now and I'm so much happier with it than the crappy teeth I was born with. Since I went to the oral surgeon and the procedure was considered medical my health insurance paid for the whole thing.

I got over my intense fears after that procedure, found a nice, compassionate dentist and had major work done on my lower teeth. The dentist told me they would probably not last a year, but to try some proper home care and regular cleanings and we will see how things go. I've lost a few of them but most of my lowers are still hanging in there. I'm on 3 month recall with the dentist now but I finally got over my fear. I ask for nitrous oxide for anything more than a cleaning.

Good luck to you, I know exactly how you're feeling.

[Auntie Bush]

3. That's tough! But thanks for the reminder that I'm past due to get my teeth cleaned.

[ChiciB1]

4. Same Thing Happened In My Family... My Husband Had A Tooth Pulled

that the dentist wanted to do a root canal on and then cap it. Since the tooth was way in the back we decided he really didn't need it, so out it came!

Dentists are seriously expensive, now more than ever! I hear this story a lot!

[WingDinger]

5. Think that is shortsighted, bad neglected teeth cause heart disease and many other EXPENSIVE repercu

repercussions.

As for keeping your teeeth, cleanings and such only go so far. People have always had to do stuff like root canals to save teeth. It just didnt cost a mint.

[MineralMan]

9. I take very good care of my teeth. But, teeth do get decayed, and

at 65, it's few people who don't have a crown or two or a missing tooth or two. I have never let a tooth become abscessed, but I also can't afford the regular visits that would catch cavities. I don't have a single filling in my mouth, and my gums are great. It's the other stuff that keeps me away from the dentist, until some pain tells me that I don't have any choice.

Lots and lots of people are in the same position. These days, a guy in Saint Paul can get a same day appointment at the larger dental clinics. That never used to be the case. My tooth was pulled today, instead of next Tuesday, because someone called and cancelled a root canal and I asked to fill a cancellation if one came up.

It's easy to say that a person should have regular dental visits. It's harder to afford, I'm afraid. More and more people are skipping them and having teeth pulled when they act up. It's the reality for many.

[TygrBright]

6. Soon we'll all have to go back to barbers and leeches. It'll be all we can afford. n/t

[county worker]

7. Don't worry, we are going incrementally to some better day where something better will be in place.

At least that's what I'm told by those who are OK with things as they are. Too bad for you and me since we are 65 and may be dead by the time single payer comes along.

At least some folks friends and family are better off so that's enough for them.

[bobbolink]

8. Many still wouldn't have the coverage,... and would't have the extra money, as you say you would

I would hope that you would fight for dental coverage, even if that isnt' what YOU need... just because we are all in this together.

[MineralMan]

12. Yes, which is why I support candidates who support universal

single-payer health care. Sometimes I have to vote for something else, but in my district and state, both my congress member and one of my Senators are on board. I'm not sure where Amy Klobuchar stands, but I'll be finding out when she runs again in 2012.

[bobbolink]

17. AGain, you are not understanding me. Universal would NOT have the dental coverage.

and just because YOU would have the means to pay dental, doesn't mean that you shouldn't care about those who WOULDN'T.

Really, the concept is simple.

Care about others.......

[MineralMan]

20. I'm understanding you just fine. You're not reading me.

I'm pushing for universal medical care that DOES include dental. I believe I wrote that above.

Dental care IS health care.

Please use more care before you post.

[bobbolink]

22. No, you didn't say that. You said it probably wouldn't have it, which is correct, but

that it would be OK as you could cover it yourself.

[MineralMan]

23. I also said, "which it should."

For pete's sake...

[bobbolink]

24. One time. Which is different from saying you will push for it.

For pete's sake.. there are so many people who don't have the resources you have.

[MineralMan]

31. Oh, my. You want me to say exactly what you think I should

say. Well, I'm a big grownup, and I say what I say. You're welcome to ignore any of it. Please don't lecture me or others. It's unseemly, and accomplishes nothing.

[Peter1x9]

11. The more I hear stories like this, the more I think that my uncle did the right thing.

He had all his teeth pulled out several years back and just uses dentures. No more expensive dental visits, fillings, root canals, etc. More importantly, no more tooth pain...ever.

[MineralMan]

13. That's a very expensive thing to do today. Very expensive.

Personally, I want to keep my own teeth, just as long as I can.

[walldude]

32. I had to do the same thing.. Couldn't afford to get my

teeth fixed so I had to have them all pulled. It was $3500 vs $35,000...

But I don't recommend it to anyone. Now we are years later and I'm used to it but for the first couple years it was difficult. It's like getting a limb amputated. You don't realize what you have till you lose it..

[Vinca]

14. I had a somewhat similar experience a few years back.

The tooth cracked all the way up and there was no way to save it so it had to come out. My options were a partial plate or an implant. I knew I couldn't stand a partial plate and I couldn't afford the implant, so I've got a space. It's far enough back to not be totally hideous. Dental care is so important, but I doubt we'll ever see the day that it's covered.

[arcane1]

15. Dental insurance SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whew, glad I got that off my chest.

[old mark]

16. K&R Late last November, I spent over $1200 on a root canal - I still have not had the cap

put in place, because that will be another $1100 or so...I had a terrible inflamation from the bad tooth, but did not want to lose it because I have so few left and can't afford the even greater expense of dentures..and I like to eat things other than soup.

I was a musician and various kinds of artist for many decades, and worked for money around that, and seldom had ANY health coverage at all because there was none that I could afford.

The GOPers would tell me and others like me who have not led conventional lives that it is all my fault...that if I wanted health care, I should have had a good job for 40 years or so, and worked till medicare age.

I am beyond fortunate that when my health did go dramatically bad, I was working in a union job with health benefits and I had money to pay for my heart surgery, pacemaker installations and diabetes treatments. I am still here and alive to tell you that the GOP is YOUR personnal enemy if your life differs AT ALL from what they approve of. They HATE anyone different, and are now taking steps to make sure anyone who does not conform to their ideal is punished for it...Doesn't sound much like America, does it?


mark

[abelenkpe]

18. Same thing happened recently to my FIL

They could have saved his teeth, but his health insurance didn't cover it. He said the same thing...they're pulling a lot of teeth these days.

Really, that is just lame. You're right, we need single payer.

[GoCubsGo]

19. I hear you.

Earlier this week, I went to the dentist for the first time in about 4 years. My teeth have been hurting, and a month or so ago, I found dark, hard chunks in something I was chewing. I assumed the some of my fillings crumbling. I had been considering using some temp fillings they sell at the drug store in the teeth in which I thought I had broken fillings, hoping that I might get a permanent job soon to repair them. But, I figured that, with my luck, I'd wind up with an infection that could spread to my heart or brain, as tooth infections are known to do. So, I made an appointment, and they got me in that afternoon.

Well, much to my complete shock and embarrassment (and HUGE relief), all of my fillings are fine. I do have one tooth that needs filling, as broke a chunk off of it before Christmas, and now it's decaying. But, not enough that it is no longer salvageable without expensive dental work. So, I'm nipping it in the bud. It may take going to The Bank of Dad to pay for it, and I'm fortunate to have that, as well as a dentist who charges reasonable rates. I was considering visiting the local dental school, I didn't want to wind up on a waiting list.

Now, visiting a doctor...that's another story. I'm on the "Pray you don't get sick" plan.

[raccoon]

25. I've been there--in the 1990's during a time I was unemployed I had a tooth

pulled because I didn't have the money to save it.

[LiberalEsto]

26. I got a pre-molar yanked over a year ago.

My husband has dental coverage, but it would only pay 50% of the cost of a crown. With me out of work since 2008, we couldn't afford the price of the crown, even with insurance paying half. I got it yanked. The cost of dental crowns has become insanely high in recent years.

[pitohui]

27. well a few dentists need to go to jail, including yours, $2K for the job he quoted was theft

for $2k you could have gone to mexico, saved the tooth, AND had a vacation

single payer has fuck-all to do w. dentistry because apparently there is NO code of ethics among american dentists, if you assume that they're all thieves, you're only wrong about 1 percent of the time

your dentist pulled your tooth because he's a thief not because it should cost anywhere near $2K to get a root canal plus crown, sheesh

[JDPriestly]

29. When I lived in Europe, I received my dental care from the same single payer

system that provided my healthcare.

Dental health and other health are equally important.

A bad tooth can cause all sorts of other health problems.