What good is state assistance (DSHS) medical coverage if no
dentist will accept it for payment?
Our family has DSHS coverage and so far I've found a dentist
who will see my kids, but can't find one that will see me! What good does it
have to have this coverage if no dentist will accept it? I'm starting to think
that dentists are all rather greedy people (perhaps worse than lawyers!) All
they seem to care about is money. What about low income folk? Do we not matter
at all? Is making money a higher priority to dentists than caring for all
people regardless of their economic status? Many people would agree we need
universal health care. But what about dental care? The costs of seeing a
dentist is beyond what most can afford- including those who have some form of
insurance. It's ridiculous. People can DIE from tooth infections...not to
mention the great pain they cause. What's up with dentists??? I want to know.
3 years ago
Additional Details
I have a broken molar and exposed root. It's amazing to me
how callous all the dental offices I've talked to so far have been. And you
know they realize the pain involved and the danger...I guess I don't understand
how anyone can be so cold hearted, particularly those that KNOW exactly what
they are turning away. Is the almighty dollar sign really more important than
human life?
3 years ago
Just so you all know, I'm NOT sitting on my @ss collecting
welfare. (That's an assumption and exactly the type of prejudiced type of
attitude I keep running into from people- dentists- who don't know me.) I'm a
single/divorced mother of three, a full time college student, supporting my
family on my school grant money while I try and finish my last quarter. I have
a 3.98 accumulative gpa, and though I am a smoker (thanks for the added prejudiced
attitude against smokers, Dr. Sam), as of June I'll have my degree in chemical
dependency counseling. I've overcome a lot, an abusive marriage, no child
support, no help whatsoever. I don't get welfare. My family gets medical
assistance and THAT'S it, even though we actually qualify for money, I won't
apply for it. I have my pride. But whatever.
Thanks to all of you who answered this question without
judging me. I understand my question was judgmental toward dentists, but heck,
I've talked to so many (15 + offices) and got nowhere.
3 years ago
Please forgive me for being in pain, frustrated, angry and
defensive. It's a bad enough situation without having to defend why my family
is on state medical assistance.
You can bet this will be on my mind when I cast my vote for
our next President.
3 years ago
Dr. Sam, thank you for taking the time to answer this
question. I understand what you are saying, and can empathize. I hope our next
President will do something to help lower the costs of dental care for all, so
that you don't have to take a loss and patients who need care can actually get
it.
3 years ago
Report Abuse
Picture Taker
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
First of all, there ARE public health clinics who accept
Medicaid in all states. It may not be convenient, but they are there. They
might be "new" dentists, but they are licensed.
Unfortunately, there are so many people living at the
poverty level, the backlog for Medicaid care is horrendous. Understand that
Medicaid (in my state) will reimburse the dentist about $35 for removing a
tooth. It costs more to pay the staff than that. New Jersey has not had a major
fee revision in over 20 years and the fees were horrible 20 years ago. Many
would GIVE away the care, but to work for Medicaid fees usually means that the
doctor is paying for part of your care out of his own pocket, as he still has
to meet expenses. In my little office in a rural area, it costs about $185-200
per hour to open the office. That MUST be paid before I have a penny to put in
my own pocket. I can't see a Medicaid patient and do four extractions, which
would take about an hour, and lose $60 of my own money. I do not mean I'd make
$60 less than usual. I mean it would cost me $60 out of my pocket to make up
the difference so I could pay my staff and the electric company, etc., and I'd
have nothing at all for my efforts and liability.
~~~~~~~~~~
Free Care
Contact your local or state dental association and and see
if there are any dentists who provide free or reduced cost care for low-income,
disabled or senior patients.
Call your local health department and ask about health
centers that provide dental care for free or on a sliding scale.
Your local United Way may also be aware of such a clinic. In
some areas, you can reach them now by dialing 2-1-1 for "non-emergency
information."
Go to a dental school, if there is one near you, for reduced
costs.
If you are a senior citizen, call your local Area Agency on
Aging or Office on Aging. If you can not find a listing in your local phone
book on the "County Government" pages (usually marked with blue
borders), call toll-free 1-800-677-1116 to find how to contact the Area Agency
on Aging serving you.
Check http://www.toothwoman.net to see if low-cost or free
dental services are available near you.
Check http://bphc.hrsa.gov and choose "Find a Health
Center" to see if there is a low-cost clinic near you.
Check http://nfdh.org/joomla_nfdh/content/view… to see if
your state has a "Donated Dental Services" program. D.D.S. is
designed to locate dentists who will give free care to patients who are
financially compromised due to medical problems. This is a process that will
take a couple of months to get your information and then arrange for someone to
see you. Not all states have D.D.S. programs.
I personally offer free care or reduced fee care or
"overlook the bill" care when I know the exact circumstances of a
person's financial position. If they have had a medical hardship, for instance,
I am sympathetic. You can't come in just looking for free care, though. You
have to come in with the intentions of doing the best you can and then I decide
exactly how I am going to handle the financial aspect. I can usually tell who
is actually trying to pay and who simply wants to skip out on me. I do not
usually consider smokers to be in financial need, though. If they can find a
couple thousand dollars a year for cigarettes, they could find the same amount
of money and fix almost any dental problem. Maybe you can find a local dentist
who has the same attitude.
3 years ago
Report Abuse
Asker's Rating:Asker's Comment:
Thank you for taking the time to explain how dentists may view their side of this issue. I really do appreciate the insight. I think it's something many people are truly not aware of.
