"Seeing the Invisible: Desperate for dental work, an all-night wait"

[WorseBeforeBetter]

Published: August 24, 2013
By Gene Nichol UNC Professor

At the end of July, the N.C. Dental Society’s Missions of Mercy spearheaded a massive, two-day free clinic at the Crown Expo Center in Fayetteville. More than 200 dental professionals and nearly 500 other volunteers ensured that nearly 900 grateful souls received desperately needed extractions, fillings, dentures and cleanings – procedures that would have cost half a million dollars on the market. It was a smorgasbord of generosity, accompanied by a heaping helping of gratitude. I’ve never seen anything like it.

....

Twenty-three percent of North Carolinians have no health care coverage – one of the highest rates in the nation. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that for every person without health insurance, three don’t have dental coverage. Medicaid sharply limits adult dental services, and private insurance often doesn’t cover dentistry.

....

Limited access to dental services plagues us as well. North Carolina ranks 47th in dentists per capita. Only 16 percent of our dentists accept Medicaid. In four counties (Currituck, Hyde, Perquimans and Tyrell), none does. Judy Klinck of Better Health, another nonprofit co-sponsor, explained: “No one familiar with health care in North Carolina could be surprised at the gigantic lines.”

Almost to emphasize the point, two days after the Fayetteville clinic, the Robeson County Health Department announced it was closing its dental facility, which had been operating 13 years. Director Bill Smith indicated the General Assembly’s refusal to expand Medicaid had sounded the death knell.

....

http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/08/24/3130709/desperate-for-dental-work-an-all.html#storylink=cpy

[gopiscrap]

1. This should never happen in our country

[WorseBeforeBetter]

3. Yep. "The greatest nation on earth,"

with thousands of un- and under-employed waiting in line 24+ hours to get dental care at a free clinic. It's unconscionable.

[chervilant]

2. I have a broken bicuspid and

a molar that's missing a huge filling. I use oragel and ibuprofen almost every day. I used to have regular cleanings and dental care, but I've been un- or under-employed for five years -- so, no insurance. I wish some dentists would provide such services where I live...

[WorseBeforeBetter]

4. I'm sorry to hear that.

I know many go to dental schools if they have access, but evidently waiting lists are extremely long. And I guess not many dentists are willing to accept reasonable payment plans. Hope you catch a break soon.

[bvar22]

5. Well, we need that money to go punish Syria.

[font size=3]"The worst enemy of humanity is U.S. capitalism. That is what provokes uprisings like our own, a rebellion against a system, against a neoliberal model, which is the representation of a savage capitalism. If the entire world doesn't acknowledge this reality, that nation states are not providing even minimally for health, education and nourishment, then each day the most fundamental human rights are being violated."[/font]
----Bolivian Reform President Evo Morales

FDR said much the same thing in 1944 with his Economic Bill of Rights.
I miss THAT Democratic Party.

[awoke_in_2003]

6. Many health problems...

can stem from, or be exacerbated by, poor dental health. Yet, health insurance doesn't cover it.

[awoke_in_2003]

7. And kudos to these pros...

helping their fellow man.