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DSHS question on Yahoo
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080203124343AAJaTOv
Resolved Question
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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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.
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.
- 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.
