Dentist pulled teeth - crying girl - tuggs at your heart

**Spirit Deer** · 05-06-2011, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by AnnK

But a child should not have to wait months to get a painful cavity fixed either.

Absolutely. I agree. A child in pain due to a cavity, or even just in need of a filling so the cavity doesn't become a problem, is a whole other issue than a child needing braces for crooked teeth.

If my kid needed to have a tooth pulled and was in pain because of it, the tooth would have come out immediately and I'd have worried about paying for it later. Most dentists set up a payment plan for such emergencies, and if mine didn't, I'd have found one that did.

**lisaflex** · 05-07-2011, 08:53 AM

i think that depedning on where you live, dental health is more important than others. and i do get that.

there have been plenty of studies done over the years that wearing braces younger, is better than waiting. dd will wear hers for one year compared to my stepson who has already had them on for almost 3 yrs and still not done. he got them at 13 and is almost 16.

dental health can impact a childs self esteem and, sadly, their ability to be employable as they get older. imo

**Daisygirl** · 05-07-2011, 09:59 AM

I have to completely disagree about orthodontics being merely cosmetic.

It depends on the level of the orthodontic defect of course. When I was a kid I had a very very severe overbite. (buck teeth) Fortunately for me, my parents could afford orthodontic care.

I've met adults with this kind of visual orthodontic defect. They are self conscious and it has greatly affected their self image. It makes them far less employable. It completely affects the way people look at them. Here are some examples:

I think the way teeth can affect your life means that having them at least presentable is a neccessity - not a luxury that should only be provided to children with parents who can afford ti.

**Dancing Lotus** · 05-07-2011, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Spirit Deer

If my kid needed to have a tooth pulled and was in pain because of it, the tooth would have come out immediately and I'd have worried about paying for it later. Most dentists set up a payment plan for such emergencies, and if mine didn't, I'd have found one that did.

I hope that's not a lecture directed at me. I did take care of it. When we were first seen she had no pain and it was a simple cavity. I was under the impression they were calling any day to set up an appointment. When it became clear that wasn't going to happen I did take care of it as fast as I could.

**Daisygirl** · 05-07-2011, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by AnnK

I hope that's not a lecture directed at me. I did take care of it. When we were first seen she had no pain and it was a simple cavity. I was under the impression they were calling any day to set up an appointment. When it became clear that wasn't going to happen I did take care of it as fast as I could.

I don't think it was directed towards you, Ann - I think it was just a general comment.

I know what a good mommy you are!

**craftypam** · 05-07-2011, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by imagine

That leads to another observation and question.

Buddy said at the middle school only a small handful students has braces (his school has 400 students per grade). At Little Miss's elementary school no one has braces.

Does Medicaid pay for any orthodontics? I'm pretty those without dental insurance would have a hard time paying for braces. Could be done but would be hard.

My parents could not afford braces on my teeth sooo I made a point that my sons were going to have straight teeth and to tell you the truth; the orthodontist just charged those with ins more money and he let me pay $50 a month and I paid more in summer to get it paid off because dh has a seasonal job.

**Spirit Deer** · 05-07-2011, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by AnnK

I hope that's not a lecture directed at me.

Absolutely not. I know you took care of it. You said so.

**Anna43** · 05-08-2011, 12:25 AM

The cost of dental care is ridiculous. I recently had my teeth cleaned, x-ray'd and a quick exam by the dentist. Cost $129. That's small town prices so in cities cost is more. Our dentist will not accept any Medicaid patients. He was perfectly happy to take $3,000+ from my m-i-l before she went into the nursing home and ran out of money. As soon as she went on Medicaid he refused to see her. Royally ticks me off and I did tell him so. I've been tempted to switch to the dentist who did see m-i-l as I'd rather he got my $'s.

**Rhiamon** · 05-09-2011, 03:03 PM

I know where I am that if you don't have a dental plan through work you have to pay for it. Because I am on disability it is covered, but when I wasn't I didn't go because I could not afford to have my teeth cleaned. DD is going to have problem teeth the dentist all ready told me this, so I have started putting money away to have a fund for when she needs braces. Braces are not covered under disability. Vision care is also not covered unless you have it through work. But if you are a child under 16 eye check ups are covered. There have been studies done that show how important dental care and cleaning is to cardiac health.