NFT: Dental Help

ChiefsFanatic · 01-28-2006, 10:47 AM

Please, if you read this, don't be an ass. I have been a member of this BB for 5 years, and have tried to be a good member. Thank you for any help.

I grew up very poor. I am talking water-in-my-cereal poor. [if I was ever lucky enough to have cereal] My parents never had enough money for anything, much less the dentist.

I have only been to the dentist twice in my life. Once when I was 13 [I am now 34] for a cleaning after my parents got divorced, and once when I was 24.

When I went the second time I had to be given valium [for extreme anxiety] and then put under by gas [I have an extreme fear of needles] While under the influence of the gas I had a panic attack, except that I couldn't move or tell anyone. Needless to say, it was a horrible experience, and I never returned.

At this point in my life I am uninsured. My problem is that both my back molars are ravaged with cavaties. To compound this, my wisdom teeth have nowhere to come in, and are forcing their way into my gumline. This obviously puts a huge amount of pressure on my back molars.

And if that is not bad enough, the very small parts of my wisdom teeth that have made it through also have cavaties.

My wisdom teeth and my molars need to be removed, but I do not have the cash to pay for that. Anyone who has a problem similar to this knows what kind of pain it can cause.

My question for fellow Planet members is if anyone knows about an inexpensive dentist or oral surgeon, or any other means that an uninsured person can get help without having a ton of money. One person suggested that I try the dental college, but another friend of mine said that he had heard horror stories about people getting work done there.

Any help would be very much appreciated. If you made it through this entire post, thanks.

And, no, I am not British. No, I do not live in a trailer park. [I have heard lots of snide remarks from people who claim to be my friends, so I can only imagine what people who don't know me will say]

Thanks for your time, and any help you can suggest.

ChiefsFanatic

chief52 · 01-28-2006, 10:58 AM

I wish I could give you some advice, but I have none. There must be someplace, though. Hopefully someone will come up with a plan.

I do feel for you. My parents drug me to the dentist faithfully when I was a kid. I hated it, but obviously I was very fortunate. Sometime we that had it so good do not appreciate it. Good luck...there has to be something out there.

'52

Simplex3 · 01-28-2006, 11:00 AM

Have you looked into Medicaid? I don't pay all these taxes for nothing. Or at least I hope I don't.

jspchief · 01-28-2006, 11:05 AM

You could always just stiff the dentist. I don't think they charge up front.

But my suggestion would to get a job with dental insurance.

ChiefsFanatic · 01-28-2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

You could always just stiff the dentist. I don't think they charge up front.

But my suggestion would to get a job with dental insurance.

As soon as I get out of school.

01-28-2006, 11:11 AM

Two options:
http://dentistry.umkc.edu/bec_patien...ingpatient.htm

Also if you make very little money per year you may qualify for subsidized care. Swope Medical Center on Blue Parkway (near the Plaza) may be able to help you.

Good luck.

Simplex3 · 01-28-2006, 11:40 AM

You know, another option is the route my grandfather always used. Go to the garage, find the cleanest pair of pliers you have, then reach in and yank it out. Of course my family generally has very few nerve endings so that might really hurt.

Extra Point · 01-28-2006, 11:41 AM

Phobia is right. The UMKC Dental School is excellent, and has pay plans to suit one's budget.

Good luck to you.

Hoover · 01-28-2006, 12:49 PM

I had all 4 wisdom teeth yanked out, it cost about 1500 bucks, insurance covered 600 of it.

Dental work is expensive, I would go talk to a Dentist about making payments to have this work done.

**penguinz** · 01-28-2006, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoover

I had all 4 wisdom teeth yanked out, it cost about 1500 bucks, insurance covered 600 of it.

Dental work is expensive, I would go talk to a Dentist about making payments to have this work done.

You got screwed. I had all 4 removed. Was put all th eway under by IV becasue they were impacted and it cost me under $600 without insurance. But that was 7 years ago. Costs have probably gone up.

Hoover · 01-28-2006, 12:49 PM

Great point about dental schools, the university of Iowa does a lot of that, fo talk to the school and let them know you situation, best of luck.

**alanm** · 01-28-2006, 01:15 PM

CF, First thing Monday call the Blue Springs Community Services office and ask about Health and Dental care. Most places have Dr's and Dentists for low income people. I know here where I live in Scottsbluff, Ne they have a Dental clinic where you just show up and they take you on a first come, first serve basis. The dentists are out of dental school and usually doing their residency. Best thing is their very cheap. I've used them in emergencies and never had a problem.
But you have to call to find out the location in Blue Springs.

Good luck!

SLAG · 01-28-2006, 01:17 PM

Here is a helpful link:

http://www.kcfree.org/pages/services.shtml

Also Sometime during the year like 500 Dentists or something like that go up to the KS Speedway and Hold a weekend of Free Dental Work. So keep your Ears and Eyes Posted for that (Unless those are broken too

)

ChiefsFanatic · 01-28-2006, 01:48 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. You have all been very nice, as well. Thanks.

01-28-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsFanatic

Thanks for all the suggestions. You have all been very nice, as well. Thanks.

That was entirely unintentional. I just don't have a whole lot of fresh tooth material. I've already used it all on Slayer Diablo.

01-28-2006, 10:47 AM	Topic Starter
ChiefsFanatic DeadPunisher Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Blue Springs, MO. 64014 Casino cash: $3049205	NFT: Dental Help Please, if you read this, don't be an ass. I have been a member of this BB for 5 years, and have tried to be a good member. Thank you for any help. I grew up very poor. I am talking water-in-my-cereal poor. [if I was ever lucky enough to have cereal] My parents never had enough money for anything, much less the dentist. I have only been to the dentist twice in my life. Once when I was 13 [I am now 34] for a cleaning after my parents got divorced, and once when I was 24. When I went the second time I had to be given valium [for extreme anxiety] and then put under by gas [I have an extreme fear of needles] While under the influence of the gas I had a panic attack, except that I couldn't move or tell anyone. Needless to say, it was a horrible experience, and I never returned. At this point in my life I am uninsured. My problem is that both my back molars are ravaged with cavaties. To compound this, my wisdom teeth have nowhere to come in, and are forcing their way into my gumline. This obviously puts a huge amount of pressure on my back molars. And if that is not bad enough, the very small parts of my wisdom teeth that have made it through also have cavaties. My wisdom teeth and my molars need to be removed, but I do not have the cash to pay for that. Anyone who has a problem similar to this knows what kind of pain it can cause. My question for fellow Planet members is if anyone knows about an inexpensive dentist or oral surgeon, or any other means that an uninsured person can get help without having a ton of money. One person suggested that I try the dental college, but another friend of mine said that he had heard horror stories about people getting work done there. Any help would be very much appreciated. If you made it through this entire post, thanks. And, no, I am not British. No, I do not live in a trailer park. [I have heard lots of snide remarks from people who claim to be my friends, so I can only imagine what people who don't know me will say] Thanks for your time, and any help you can suggest. ChiefsFanatic
Posts: 7,480

01-28-2006, 10:58 AM	#2
chief52 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: NoCal Casino cash: $9835260	I wish I could give you some advice, but I have none. There must be someplace, though. Hopefully someone will come up with a plan. I do feel for you. My parents drug me to the dentist faithfully when I was a kid. I hated it, but obviously I was very fortunate. Sometime we that had it so good do not appreciate it. Good luck...there has to be something out there. '52
Posts: 3,123

01-28-2006, 11:00 AM	#3
Simplex3 MVP Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $10004900	Have you looked into Medicaid? I don't pay all these taxes for nothing. Or at least I hope I don't.
Posts: 28,527

01-28-2006, 11:05 AM	#4
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	You could always just stiff the dentist. I don't think they charge up front. But my suggestion would to get a job with dental insurance.
Posts: 27,207

01-28-2006, 11:11 AM	#6
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	Two options: http://dentistry.umkc.edu/bec_patien...ingpatient.htm Also if you make very little money per year you may qualify for subsidized care. Swope Medical Center on Blue Parkway (near the Plaza) may be able to help you. Good luck.
Posts: n/a

01-28-2006, 11:40 AM	#7
Simplex3 MVP Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $10004900	You know, another option is the route my grandfather always used. Go to the garage, find the cleanest pair of pliers you have, then reach in and yank it out. Of course my family generally has very few nerve endings so that might really hurt.
Posts: 28,527

01-28-2006, 11:41 AM	#8
Extra Point MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Prairie Village, KS Casino cash: $10004900	Phobia is right. The UMKC Dental School is excellent, and has pay plans to suit one's budget. Good luck to you. __________________ "Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." --Satchel Paige
Posts: 7,845

01-28-2006, 12:49 PM	#9
Hoover Rufus Dawes Jr. Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $1458179	I had all 4 wisdom teeth yanked out, it cost about 1500 bucks, insurance covered 600 of it. Dental work is expensive, I would go talk to a Dentist about making payments to have this work done.
Posts: 17,381

01-28-2006, 01:15 PM	#12
alanm Feeling Victorian Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Nebraska/Wyoming/Colorado Casino cash: $1636436	CF, First thing Monday call the Blue Springs Community Services office and ask about Health and Dental care. Most places have Dr's and Dentists for low income people. I know here where I live in Scottsbluff, Ne they have a Dental clinic where you just show up and they take you on a first come, first serve basis. The dentists are out of dental school and usually doing their residency. Best thing is their very cheap. I've used them in emergencies and never had a problem. But you have to call to find out the location in Blue Springs. Good luck! __________________ It bears repeating, ** Herm, Pioli, Haley, and Crennel for ing up my franchise for a goddamn decade. Buehler 445**
Posts: 33,650

01-28-2006, 01:17 PM	#13
SLAG Superbowl MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: OOOOOOOOOOOOOLATHE Casino cash: $9910252	Here is a helpful link: http://www.kcfree.org/pages/services.shtml Also Sometime during the year like 500 Dentists or something like that go up to the KS Speedway and Hold a weekend of Free Dental Work. So keep your Ears and Eyes Posted for that (Unless those are broken too ) __________________ Ad astra per aspera
Posts: 11,177

01-28-2006, 01:48 PM	#14
ChiefsFanatic DeadPunisher Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Blue Springs, MO. 64014 Casino cash: $3049205	Thanks for all the suggestions. You have all been very nice, as well. Thanks.
Posts: 7,480