WHY POOR PEOPLE ARE TOOTHLESS

Q:   Why are poor people toothless?
A:   Because they can't afford a dentist.

Q:  Isn't there free dental care for the poor?
A: Yes.

Q: If there is free dental care for the poor, why are the poor toothless?
A: Because dental care for the poor means "we pull out the teeth of poor people."
------------------
Just before I flew to Seattle for my Mom's b'day, I went to the dentist. I had an abscessed tooth, and needed more than $2,000 in work done to fix it, get bridge work or implants done, etc.   The dentist said "I don't want to send you off to Seattle with a missing tooth, so here are some anti-biotic pills to take if the infection gets painful before you return. When you get back, we will get to work on you"     I got back, sat in the dentist chair, and just before they started working a lady sat down and said, "before we begin, we need payment of several hundred dollars."   
I didn't have several hundred dollars. They told me to come back when I had it.  That was May.  This is July. Being poor, I went to the poor people's dental clinic. I sat down, got the xrays, and the dentist said "I don't do abscesses. Which tooth do you want pulled first?"
"I didn't come here because I wanted all my teeth pulled out. I came here because I have an abscessed tooth."
"Well, I'll pull this one to start with," she said, and pulled out a tooth.
It wasn't the one with the abscess.
I now have one less tooth, and I'm taking those anti-biotics by the hand full.
If you are poor, don't expect bridge work or implants. Free dental means they yank em out. Period.  Soon, you can call me "gummy."

Comments

[Ed McGoldrick]

Must have been very tough for you, Burl. So were you able to find a good dentist after the ordeal? I think it's indeed important to look for a trustworthy one these days.

A few years ago, I also dread the dentist because he told me that I was overdue for root canal. But in the long run, the root canal has saved me from nights of toothache. He's also my periodontist here in Colorado Springs.

[Cheryl Swanson]

Burl,
This is just too funny. I spent/wasted so many years advising doctors (and esp. dentists) on patient care. Right...they really listened. Show me the money, man! Cheryl Swanson

[Burl Barer]

If your sister's dentist costs $900, how much just for your sister?

[DogsDontPurr]

Ow Ow Ow!! I feel your pain. I'd rather have knee surgery than go to the dentist! Maybe you should call around and try to find a dentist who will offer an easier payment plan. And maybe you should get another opinion also. I once had a dentist tell me it was going to be $2000 to fix a tooth, then I went to my sister's dentist and he was able to fix it with a much simpler procedure and for only $900.

Good luck! I hope you feel better soon!