USA - Lack of resources at root of dental pain
Before Jessica Creel celebrated her 21st birthday Monday, she went to the dentist Friday.
"I have to go or I won't be seen at all," the mother of two said before the appointment.
Virginia adults on Medicaid do not qualify for dental services, but before a 21st birthday they can still use Medicaid at the dentist.
Despite several community efforts to bring dental services to low-income, uninsured adults, living with dental pain has become commonplace for many in Southwest Virginia.
Creel said she felt lucky to squeeze in a dental appointment before the cutoff, but she was worried what would happen if the dentist found too many things wrong to fix in one sitting.
Her fears came true.
She had two wisdom teeth pulled and a root canal. Four cavities were also discovered, but there wasn't time to fix them. Without a place to go, Creel said she won't have the cavities filled.
"There are plenty of people who go untreated, there is no question about that," said Dr. Richard Joachim, an area dentist and the dental director for Bradley Free Clinic. "I know of heart wrenching stories of suffering moms who in some cases have gone years with chronic infections. There is plenty of need out there. And how to help out with that is challenging."
Bradley is one of the better-known places where adults can receive dental care. But getting into the program is not easy.
Between 75 percent and 80 percent of people who call Bradley for dental care are turned away, Joachim said. Many of those people are placed on a waiting list, but are never seen because Bradley cannot meet the demand...................
Virginia is 95% fluoridated:NYSCOF
"I have to go or I won't be seen at all," the mother of two said before the appointment.
Virginia adults on Medicaid do not qualify for dental services, but before a 21st birthday they can still use Medicaid at the dentist.
Despite several community efforts to bring dental services to low-income, uninsured adults, living with dental pain has become commonplace for many in Southwest Virginia.
Creel said she felt lucky to squeeze in a dental appointment before the cutoff, but she was worried what would happen if the dentist found too many things wrong to fix in one sitting.
Her fears came true.
She had two wisdom teeth pulled and a root canal. Four cavities were also discovered, but there wasn't time to fix them. Without a place to go, Creel said she won't have the cavities filled.
"There are plenty of people who go untreated, there is no question about that," said Dr. Richard Joachim, an area dentist and the dental director for Bradley Free Clinic. "I know of heart wrenching stories of suffering moms who in some cases have gone years with chronic infections. There is plenty of need out there. And how to help out with that is challenging."
Bradley is one of the better-known places where adults can receive dental care. But getting into the program is not easy.
Between 75 percent and 80 percent of people who call Bradley for dental care are turned away, Joachim said. Many of those people are placed on a waiting list, but are never seen because Bradley cannot meet the demand...................
Virginia is 95% fluoridated:NYSCOF
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10:05 AM
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