[Mama.Pajama]

Does anybody have any suggestions for a guy (who needs a root canal and 4 cavities filled) and his wife (who needs 2 cavities filled and her wisdom teeth out) who have no means of paying for the procedures? Truth be told, I'm not so concerned about my teeth- they don't really bother me too much (my gums do though- those wisdom teeth are killer), but my husband has some serious issues with the tooth needing the root canal... Any avenues for broke folk?

 

[SleeplessMommy]

You can get lower cost care at your local dental school - call them and see what services they offer.

http://dentistry.ouhsc.edu/patients.php

 

[maplesugar]

My dh also has major work that needs to be done. We can't even begin to afford it.
One thing we have discovered is something called care credit or some such that dentists use to finance dental work. We didn't have good enough credit, but perhaps you would? Some larger cities have low cost clince, but not where we live.
Another thing we have wondered about is the cost of care in Canada. We wondered if it would be cheaper for Americans. We are about an hour away from the border, but this certainly wouldn't work for those further away.

Good luck, I sympathise and hope something comes up for broke people in need of dental work.

 

[eirual]

What are his symptoms for needing a root canal? If it's a waiting game, I'd be sure to eat as much immune-building/infection-fighting stuff as you can (avoid sugar and caffein, lots of garlic and vit C just to start). Of course, there's the whole healing cavities through remineralization thing too. I think you could manage quite a lot through a change in diet if you haven't yet.

If there's an active infection, rincing with Tea Tree Oil may help (thought I'm not sure if that's still recomended....look into it, perhaps).

Good Luck! I hope you find a solution soon!

 

[CalmCenter]

I totally sympathize. I have never had dental insurance, but my teeth have been my major health issue as an adult.
I had a molar pulled a few years back rather than get a rootcanal, it was the difference between $2000 and $80. The dentist was really upset at me for doing it, saying I would regret it and on and on. But I felt okay about it and just did it. Well, I really don't miss that tooth and I couldn't live with the pain, so c'est la vie!

So that is an option, depending on what tooth it is and how your partner feels about it. Most dentists won't even tell you you can get it pulled, but you can!

Also about the wisdom teeth... I would do some research. Often they are pulled without really needing to be, or you could wait a few years with no issue. I guess it all depends if you have pain or symptoms, at which point you probably want to do something, but if not, don't be pressured into doing it, when you might not need to.

I have been going to a holistic dentist for many years. I have gone to 3 different ones in different states. They have all been awesome at listening to me and giving sound advise, rather than just telling me what they are going to do.

I also have done payment plans when I couldn't pay. Like I paid $35 a month over a year when that was the only way I could pull it off.

Excellent dental hygiene and good nutrition are worth so much more than regular dental visits in my mind. And I prioritize taking care of myself and educating myself about dental health from a holistic viewpoint. The awesome thing is that information is free and available if you seek it out.

My advise would be to find a holistic dentist. Take care of the fillings on a payment plan and put the wisdom teeth on hold and find out options for the rootcanal, and research having the tooth pulled.

btw, root canals can harbor infections that leak into the whole system and can really mess with your immune system, making you have a low level infection at all times.

I have had this happen. It is hard to detect, but worth finding out more about. So if you can avoid root canals, do!

PEACE and Blessings!

 

[thixle]

See if you have a community clinic. We do in our smallish town. It is only for working members of the community (only one person in the fam has to work) without health insurance. They are funded mostly by the local thrift store. Of course, they are only "open" one day a week, and you may not get in unless you are there first thing in the morning, but they do pro-bono dental work and fill prescriptions for free, if you qualify.

Also, ask at your community health department and "food stamp office" (Family Services or whatever it's called in your state). There are a limited # of pro-bono slots for physicians and dentists. In my state, you can utilize this program once every three years.

Be prepared to bring up to 3 months worth of pay stubs wherever you apply for assistance.

HTH

 

[Mama.Pajama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eirual What are his symptoms for needing a root canal? If it's a waiting game, I'd be sure to eat as much immune-building/infection-fighting stuff as you can (avoid sugar and caffein, lots of garlic and vit C just to start). Of course, there's the whole healing cavities through remineralization thing too. I think you could manage quite a lot through a change in diet if you haven't yet.

I have never heard these options! How exactly does one heal cavities through remineralization? And what website/page would you recommend to go on for the diet changes that would help us?

I found a few "community clinics," which charge a flat fee for a visit, but the fees for the procedures are market price. I am really trying for the dental school, but that will definitely take some time- the in-laws got their teeth taken care of that way, which saved them an arm and a leg.

I think if it came down to it, DH would probably opt to get the tooth (in need of a root canal) pulled if we couldn't find another option, but at this point, even in his extreme daily discomfort, the idea of losing a permanent tooth in his early twenties is repulsive to him.

Thanks for the replies and I welcome additional advice.