Last Post About My Mouth:)

I spent such a long time on the phone after leaving my dentist. I've called every dentist/oral surgeon within reasonable drive. No luck. Some places charge more, some around that same price, and one wanted me to come in for a consult before they could even quote a price. Not that I have a problem going to a consult, but they refused to accept the x-rays I have already paid for and said that I would need to pay for them to take their own set of x-rays. My line of thinking is that if they want to charge me for x-rays that I already had taken, they probably aren't going to be any cheaper than any of the prices I've already been quoted. Not to mention the fact that the consult fee was $90. I don't want to waste money paying a dentist to take x-rays so that he can tell me what I already know. The tooth needs to come out. Duh! I know that already.
I called M.C.D.S. (the health dept. dental clinic) to ask them about a program that helps pay for dental work, but apparently they only help with adults under the age of 21 or children. I called D.C.E.A. (a program that offers a variety of services to low-income families in our area) to see if they have a program or knew of a program that would assist me in getting the much needed dental work done. I also asked if they could point me in the right direction of a clinic that would be willing to work with me on making payments. No luck there either. The D.C.E.A. is out of funding for our area. They have so many that need assistance with electricity, food, clothing, shelter, and other much more important things than dental surgery. They actually are having to turn some of those people down before they even apply. I wanted to cry for those people that are being denied help. My toothache pales in comparison to losing a rental home or not having food to feed my family. I immediately said a prayer for those that are being denied the help that they need. Will you pray for them too?
I was starting to get a stress headache so I put the phone book down and stepped away from the phone for a while. I know that there's got to be a solution for me somewhere. I just have to think a little more, try a little harder. I would try expanding my search area, but I can't go to another place that is too far way. I'm willing to make the longer drive if I can just find a place that will work with me, but I will probably have to have someone else drive me home and I'm not sure I can find someone willing to drive a terribly long distance. I've checked every number listed between Chattanooga and Knoxville. The cheapest place I've found (so far) is still the place that my dentist referred me to. If only they would make payment plans with me! I also tried calling a dental school (I believe it was Kate who suggested that....thanks Kate for trying to offer a suggestion!) The person that I spoke with practically laughed at me. She said if it was that easy to get dental work done at a low cost then everyone would be trying to doing it. She said that they don't do that. The "dentists in training" get their course hours completed at a dental practice while studying under "seasoned" dentists. The are sent to work with a dentist in that dentist's office. The cost of a particular procedure is based on what that office would charge in their practice. Those students get to help with simple extactions, cleanings, and fillings. She acted like I was nuts for even considering letting a student practice oral surgery on me:( I haven't had any luck finding a teaching hospital that offers that option. My case is complicated by the danger of tearing my sinus during extraction, so I'm not too sure about letting a dental college get ahold of me. I've been praying about everything. That's always the first thing I do when I am feeling discouraged or lost or just looking for guidance. I know that there is a solution out there. I just haven't found it yet. That doesn't mean that I'm giving up though. I'll just have to keep praying and making those calls. With the economy being what it is these days, I doubt that I am going to be able to find an office that will offer payment plans without the use of a credit card. That's the brick wall that I keep hitting. The places that are willing to work with payments want a valid credit card number on file so that they can deduct the payments automatically. I don't use credit cards....don't even have one. I know that my mouth hurts really bad and it's not a very comfortable situation to be in, but at this point, I really just have to deal with it until I can get it fixed. I'm not going to blog about it anymore because I'm sure that it's a boring topic to have to constantly read about. But I'll let you know when I get this problem all figured out:) I have faith it'll all turn out in the end.