I went to the dentist today, and they started work on a crown.

[2naSalit]

29. Earlier this year I had

a little money from a worker's comp settlement and having needed a few crowns 18 months prior I decided to get them taken care of. I went to a clinic at my alma mater since they have a sliding scale fee only to find that during all the stress and pain of the WC incident and subsequent battle I had cracked four teeth (I clench them at night) which meant that I now needed seven crowns. I was able to accept the treatment plan but I had to put my vehicle in hawk with my credit union to get the majority of the funds together. I was very fortunate because I was unemployed when the "plan" was implemented so I was rated at 50% discount for all that work. It was completed in eight weeks and I am glad because I can chew on both sides of my mouth without pain now but I am unemployed once again and am scrounging for the loan payment and rent, unemployment isn't enough based on my p/t job from over a year ago.

For those afraid to go to a different Dr., just do it. You will probably find that it was a good choice. The clinic I go to is a one year residency program for recently graduated dentists. They come from the best schools as the program is highly competitive, they only accept four students each year... been going there since they opened and have never had a problem. These dentists are monitored by professionals who rotate the duty and everything is discussed with you regarding what you need and/or could do based on your ability to finance a plan and they offer alternatives. And the clinic has the latest state of the art tools and techniques... your whole chart and plan and ex-rays are all right there on a computer screen that you can see from the chair.

There are a lot of talented young dentists these days, give them a try. I get a new one every year (when I actually go) and have never had a regret.


Just sayin'.