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[sikora]

Okay, so I need to see a dentist, and I can't wait two more months to qualify for financial assistance from the VSO.  I have found some low-cost clinics, but apparently, one can't make an appointment and show up. One has to get in line early in the morning on certain days in order to register. That is if the clinic is registering new patients.  Two of the places I'm looking at will not tell you over the phone if they are registering or not. 

I tried the teaching clinic, and after I made the initial appointment for cleaning, exam, xrays, then they told me how much it would cost:  $360-400 for those paying cash, and that doesn't include any treatment. No exam without the initial cleaning, etc. done there. I can't go to the tech college and have a dental hygiene student do the cleaning, it has to be done there. No sliding scale; however, they do accept Medicaid and MNcare as payment in full.

So I thought that I'd report on my saga of seeking subsidized dental care,  in little installments, here.  Tomorrow I am going to the Indian Health Services, where they offer dental care at subsidized rates (sliding scale) for anyone. You don't have to be a tribal member.  They won't tell me on the phone if they have slots or not.  If they have slots for two patients, and I'm third in line, I have to try again. The same goes for the community health clinic, run by the U.

So I'll let you know what happens. 


I wish my job was going. I'm beginning to think it all was a dream, and there's no job.

[scampster]

Gees, sikora, even when I haven't had dental insurance, the cost for an exam, cleaning, and xrays was only $200 and not at the teaching clinic, but a regular dentist. Of course if you need work done too that is another cost, but for the basic stuff it shouldn't be that expensive.

[sikora]

Gees, sikora, even when I haven't had dental insurance, the cost for an exam, cleaning, and xrays was only $200 and not at the teaching clinic, but a regular dentist. Of course if you need work done too that is another cost, but for the basic stuff it shouldn't be that expensive.

I asked around, and that seems to be the going rate around for cash payment. I guess it's like a lot of other medical/dental/vision care, individuals paying cash pay more than insurers.

If it gets too painful, I could go down to the Union Gospel Mission some evening to the emergency dentist for an extraction, but I'd like to keep the tooth. I lost two other teeth on that side due to injury.

But I'll report in tomorrow about my adventures in dental care.  If my job would start, I'd just pay cash.

[vardahilwen]

Some dentists will allow you to pay in installments.  You could ask if they offer this option.

[frogfactory]

In lieu of trusting this country's frighteningly awful medical/dental care processes, I've signed up for a study to have my wisdom teeth extracted.  They get my teeth and some tissue samples, I get my problematic teeth out and some cash for the privilege.

Could you try something similar for your problem?

[kaysixteen]

Isn't there some sort of chain dental clinic available in your area?  Around here, at least three, 'Aspen Dental', 'Alpha Dental', and 'Delta Dental', all have deals available much cheaper than the prices you cite.

[inthelab]

Some dentists will allow you to pay in installments.  You could ask if they offer this option.

That's what I did while in grad school, having no dental insurance.

[sikora]

Well, I didn't make it to the dental clinic.  On my way down stairs to take a shower, I slipped and dislocated my right shoulder.  Those who have done this know how painful that is.  Morphine didn't help, so the ortho residents gave me dilaudid and valium, and reset the shoulder. The dilaudid made me nauseous, and I am still pretty sedated.

I am reminded about how much I have to be grateful for.  When I hit the floor and shouted, my roommate was right there.  I was buck nekkid, and she helped me get dress,  and then took me to the VA. The VA fixed me up, treated me well, even though I was crying most of the time (and swearing, etc.).  My brother came and stayed the whole time and got me home, even tolerating my vomiting without complaint.

What gifts!  I am so grateful.

[barred_owl]

Oh, sikora!  Haven't had the dislocated shoulder experience, but...OUCH!!  Three cheers for your friends and family for helping you out, and a gentle, gentle hug with wishes for a speedy recovery!

[vardahilwen]

Bless you, sikora!  Take it easy on yourself and I wish you speedy healing!
(Morphine - ugh.  Makes me sweat and have hallucinations.  Horrid stuff).

[inthelab]

Speedy recovery!
Sorry the Dilaudid didn't help you, it was heaven for me last year when I broke my ankle in 2 places and dislocated it.

[sikora]

Speedy recovery!
Sorry the Dilaudid didn't help you, it was heaven for me last year when I broke my ankle in 2 places and dislocated it.

owww!!  You must have been begging to have your leg cut off at the knee. The dilaudid helped the pain, it just made me sick.  I thought I was doing pretty well yesterday, but now I know how much the meds they gave me yesterday helped the pain. I can type, but no banjo, dog walks, or driving for a while.

[sikora]

Not dental care, but shoulder update.  Upon the recommendation of the orthopedist I saw, and oral consultation with the shoulder specialist, we have decided to surgically tighten up the shoulder (since this is the 3rd tie I've done this).  Here is how "rationing" works in the VA; it is very similar to how things are done in Canada. I don't get to have the surgery next week Since it is not an emergency at this point, and I am comfortable,  I will be scheduled for an MRI. The shoulder surgeon will review it, and if he thinks rehab will be enough, then that's what we'll do. If rehab isn't enough, we will revisit the surgery idea.  However, the orthopedist I saw today thinks surgery is warranted.  So after the MRI, we'll schedule the surgery.  It may be several weeks  Because they use triage, my MRI and my surgery could be postponed if someone with an emergent or urgent problem enters the system.  I need to be flexible.  If at anytime things get worse, the process for me speeds up. 

If I had excellent insurance, I'd probably have the MRI within a week, and the surgery within the month if not sooner.  That would be more convenient because I could schedule the procedures around my life.

Since I don't have health insurance, if I didn't have the VA, I would have had a horrible time getting the shoulder dislocation reduced in the ER. My pain would not have been treated properly, I would have been given paper scripts I may or may not have been able pay to have filled, and I would have been told to follow up with a non-existent primary care provider to arrange physical therapy I couldn't pay for.  And the hospital collection office would be calling me by now.

I don't mind waiting in line for something that can wait, being assured that if things got worse, I would get the help I need.

[inthelab]

Can't the VA help you with the dental issue too?  Our local VA (I have an appointment there) has a dental clinic.

[sikora]

Can't the VA help you with the dental issue too?  Our local VA (I have an appointment there) has a dental clinic.

It's reserved for disabled or retired veterans.