Desparate for Dental Work?

Question

:I'm in Minneapolis.I have dire need for help & don't know where to turn. I live on disability for my back & medicaid doesn't cover dental.A "free" program I found started the work last year & removed almost all my teeth for dentures.The program's now shut down, the dentures don't fit;I can't keep them in & they hurt so bad I've lost 20 lbs. because it's just not worth it to eat.The teeth they left in have big cavities that need fixing, & now besides all the sore spots from the dentures I can feel either bone or tooth that got left behind starting to poke thru a part of my gums.The last dentist I saw said my only hope may be implants. We know how expensive THOSE are. I'm horribly depressed & feel almost like life is over. I just want the pain gone & to be able to eat again.I've checked into all the "programs' here & can't find anything.Do all dentists do dentures & why don't they advertise so?Where can I go what can I do?It's consuming my life because I feel helpless & hopeless!Anyone?

Answer 1

You probably have all the resources I am listing, but I'll post them anyhow. Maybe you will find something new.

However...

If you HAVE dentures that just don't fit, consider taking them to a new dentist and explaining your problem. When you have teeth removed, the bone shrinks rather quickly. If your dentures were made just after the teeth were removed, the fit of the denture will degrade rapidly. You may be able to have these dentures fixed with a reline. This would be relatively inexpensive and it could give you several more years use from the dentures. It sounds like you might need some more teeth removed. If the dentures you have are all plastic, it is a fairly simple and inexpensive matter to add new teeth to that denture to replace additional extracted teeth.

MOST dentists make dentures and most dentists could deal with the reline and modifications that you need. If you are on disability, you may find a comassionate dentist who will work for "cost" or less, but I can't tell you how to go about doing that other than the list that follows:

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://www.nfdh.org/DDS.html 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.

Answer 2

Unfortunately I think he is right Mexico is the Best answer. They have the best dentist in the world. I'm sorry for you nothing is worse than bad teeth. Try to eat some protein shakes through a straw so you don't get sick, your life is not over it is just an obstacle and you will get through this. Good Luck to you.

Answer 3

I would look into these dental benefits. Lots of people on medicaid sign up for these benefits. Since they are afforadable. It only cost $11.95 for dental benefits. They save you up to 80% on your dental work.

You will also be given FREE prescription, Free Vision and Free Chiropractic Care

We were turned down for health insurance and have saved hundreds.

I sure hope you get that tooth fixed :)

Answer 4

There are dentists in the USA who care about the patients
more than they care about the money and are willing to
give you a huge break. Try eHealthPlus membership. Login,
go Find a Dentist, then search by zip code.

Answer 5

Dental schools almost always offer reduced cost services to the public. You're lucky that you live in a state with two dental schools--my state doesn't have any!

Check out the following:

http://www.dent.umich.edu/patients/
http://dental.udmercy.edu/patients/

A few in neighboring states:
http://www.marquette.edu/dentistry/clinic/index.shtml (Milwaukee)
http://cudental.creighton.edu/ (Omaha)
http://www.dentistry.uiowa.edu/public/patients/care/care.html (Iowa City)

Also check out the following sites:
http://www.cdf-mn.org/HealthCare/dental.htm - lists providers who provide free or low-cost services in Minnesota

http://www.mnwfc.org/hennepinsouth/healthcareresource.htm - you might qualify for one of these programs

http://www.nhcn.org/

If the condition of your teeth is affecting your overall health (gum disease is known to be associated with heart disease), then Medicaid *may* cover it, if you need to see a surgeon.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Can you go to dental colleges in the States to get work done?

Dentistry students need to work on real patients so there are often programs where the public can go in for dental work.

Answer 7

Dental and Dental Implants / surgery is very safe nowadays. My cousin got her dental implants and lasik surgery in India by a company called Forerunners Healthcare. The Price for dental and lasik surgery is very less in India. She paid 25% of the price she was quoted in America.

Forerunners Healthcare is very famous in India They arrange Dental surgery, jaw surgery, lasik eye surgery, Dental Implants etc for foreign patients in India. I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and magazines- about their patient stories.
They arrange financing for USA, Canadian, UK and other international patients who plan to have surgery abroad for low cost, as dental and eye surgery is not covered by insurance. They also have photos pasted of their International patients. You can checkout their website. There are huge cost savings. As a doctor I personally believe that surgery can be easily handled in India, as the quality of healthcare available In India is simply best in the world. The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.

http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com
Hope this helps.

Answer 8

IF I were you,I'd fly to Mexico,and get it done cheap and right. Dentist here only care about money.