‘Your mouth becomes a minefield’: the Americans who can’t afford the dentist

[Islander]

Michael Sainato
Tue 4 May 2021

Pandemic job cuts have meant many people have no insurance to pay for dental work – and the poorest are hardest hit

Maureen Haley, 66, lost her home in Florida in the wake of the 2008 recession. She now lives in a camper near Greensboro, North Carolina, relying on social security and Medicare to make ends meet and pay for healthcare.
But Haley has problems with her teeth, and cannot afford to see a dentist to have them fixed.
“My teeth problems are the biggest problem I have each day,” said Haley. “I need root canals and implants. I have a tooth impaction. I have to massage the heck out of it to get the air out of my gums and cheek after chewing a meal. Painful is an understatement, and the worry of how this may affect my heart compounds it.”
She worries about remaining independent, and not ending up in a nursing home. On a limited income, her decisions revolve around what is most pressing, such as fixing her vehicle and drug prescriptions. The last time she was able to visit a dentist was three years ago, and she was given an estimate of over $8,500 for the work she needs.

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[Maurya]

This is so idiotic to assume that teeth are inessential bones which have no effect in the rest of the body.

[Swhealth]

I couldn't bare not cleaning my teeth, glossing and mouthwashing. Smelling bad breath from a mile makes my mood go down, what more if it's coming from my own mouth.

[Islander]

How much of this issue is a matter of poor education? I live in the rural part of a rural state; the kindergarten teaching here tells me that children enrolling in school for the first time have never seen a toothbrush. So education begins at home, but clearly needs to be continued by public schools as well.

[Julieanne]

children enrolling in school for the first time have never seen a toothbrush. .

That is unbelievable in the 21st century!

Thank heavens we have subsidised dental care in Australia for those on a low income, or I would be in trouble. The fees are around 1/4 of the normal fees, and this is covered by my insurance. So essentially it is free if you have insurance, though only up to a certain amount each year. I've had a lot of dental treatment and haven't gone over the limit yet. The only problem is a much longer wait - if it's really urgent I have to see a private dentist.