About the poor guy who died from a toothache:

[PCIntern]

This happens quite frequently - more times than I care to think about - because most of the time, the systemic infection is not associated with the concomitant dental abscess. In this case, the association was quite clear. These are tragedies of the first order: most people may not realize that chronic dental abscess causes endocarditis and associated stroke/pulmonary embolism/other ailments. You know, the System is NOT composed of Quincy, M.E.'s ...most folks don't put it together. I have many stories thereof.

No one leaves my office who is unable to afford care with a threatening tooth. I will extract the tooth at no charge if I have to and just live with it...it costs me next to nothing to do it: I can perform the procedure while someone else is getting numb, or rather than drinking a cup of coffee or posting another rambling POS post here at DU. I will give them antibiotics if I have to: this happens three or four times a month and it's OK with me. I don't want anyone's death or severe illness on my consicence: it's bad enough to deal with what I have to deal with already.

[n2doc]

1. It is a shame more don't follow your example

And even more of a shame that we don't have universal health care in the US.

[laundry_queen]

36. I'm in Canada and I don't have dental coverage

However, if my face is swollen, and I go to the ER with an absessed tooth, I will get seen for free, yet still have to pay for my anti-biotics. People here are starting to wake up to the fact that dental should be covered. It's ridiculously expensive where I live (my dd had a filling fall out and they charged $300 to replace it!) and my kids inherited really horrible teeth. The local health unit helps me out as much as they can, but the nurse and I are po'ed that, at the very least, children aren't covered for basic care. Universal health care here doesn't include meds or dental or eyeglasses (only exams for kids). Slowly, with secondary insurance costs rising, people are starting to notice and want those things covered. Especially with the new research that shows how important dental health is for your overall health. I bet if they covered very basic dental (cleanings, fillings and extractions) they'd save that on ER visits alone. *sigh* we have our problems too. You'd better hope you have an infected ingrown nail instead of an infected tooth, then you'll get care.

[roguevalley]

46. PC Intern, for everyone of you there are too many who don't. I

knew someone who had an absessed tooth that ate through his cheek and he carries a puckered spot on his face so tight it twisted his jaw. He didn't have money so he suffered several absessed teeth until they came out. I don't know why he didn't die.

[XanaDUer]

2. One -thank you for all you do for your patients

Two- wow, I wish they had given him both free. Are painkillers that expensive for bad toothaches? Was there a social worker there who could have helped him hook up with some service to get both meds asap?

My SO , who is on Medicare with no dental insurance, just found out that he will need over 2000 worth of work. He's lucky, I have a job, so far, and we have some money set aside.

Comprehensive dental care needs to be included in any single-payer system-

[csziggy]

34. The painkillers were $3, the antibiotics $27 according to the original article

The man had the $3 but did not have the $27. That's the appalling part - for less than the Wall Street spend on lunch, this man died.

This is a cruel and unfeeling country.

[hfojvt]

71. how does somebody not have $27 or not know how to get help?

Would the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, any number of Catholic or Lutheran charities not provide $27 for medication?

When I had no insurance I went to the emergency room because I could not swallow. First of all, they ripped me off at the ER, because they charged me for $500 of X-rays that I didn't need, but I made $50 monthly payments on the $800 that I was charged.

Little did I know that I probably could have gotten care at St. Vincent's Clinic on the north side of town.

Plenty of people would quickly kick in the $27 if they knew about this man's problem. I certainly would, but one thing that blunts our generosity is all the bullsh*t artists. Those who make up some nonsense story in order to get other people's cash.

Once, ironically after a DU meet-up in KC, this stranger comes up to me and spins this story about this problem and that and that he needed money so he could get a cab ride somewhere. And I am thinking "heck, if his story is true, I'd be happy to just drive him where he need to go and it would only cost me an hour plus a little bit of gas money." But I didn't help him for fear of being car-jacked in the big city. It just seems like that for every one person who needs $27 for medicine that there are 3 who will say they need money for medicine when they really just want some money for cigarettes and beer.

[Gormy Cuss]

81. I grew up surrounded by people who couldn't scrape together the money for toilet paper.

Someone being unable to come up with $27 doesn't surprise me.

As for knowing how to get help, your post illustrates just how easy it is to be kept in the dark about more affordable choices available for the broke or nearly indigent, and also how hard it can be to convince someone that you are truly in need.

[PSzymeczek]

84. A lot of places

don't have a St. Vincent's Clinic. And the Red Cross would bill him for the $27+ in about a month.

[csziggy]

97. Most people are unaware of the resources available to them

And with many state and local governments cutting services, there may not be the places left to refer people to the fewer remaining resources.

On top of those factors, someone who is ill is less able to try to pursue those services. It used to be that someone in the ER would be available to help people who needed assistance, or a nurse or doctor had the time to give advice and help. But these days, for profit hospitals have cut personnel for patient advocacy and social services, and medical personnel barely have time to treat patients for the bare minimum much less time to think about the patients' circumstances.

[The Doctor.]

100. Got a spare Armadillo? Why would you refuse to give me an armadillo?

Welcome to fucking reality.

Not everyone has a God-Damned dime, let alone 270 of them. You might as well charge an armadillo.

How funny it is that you ask how does someone not know 'how to get help' after admitting that you could have known better yourself.

What's also funny is how you answered your own question with an admonition of your personal prejudices and character. Your fear is the reason we are all fucked. Wouldn't it be nice if your fears weren't carried by those who are afraid their taxes are going to 'welfare queens' and the like?

Then perhaps we could be more assured that the beggars among us were not as legitimate.

Aren't you lucky that the ER didn't treat you as a beggar.

[RagAss]

3. Thanks. Good to know folks like you still exist.

[hlthe2b]

4. Good on you, PCIntern...Kudos

There have been children, who likewise have died of sepsis that originated from a readily treatable dental abscess. In years past, many public health departments had dental programs or collaborated with local dentists to try to aid the poor in gaining access to dental preventive services. From what i can tell, with budget cuts, those programs are long gone--at least regionally.

ER departments will certainly see these patients and begin antibiotics with admonishment to see a dentist the following day, but that doesn't treat the source of the problem. If these patients can not get in to see a dentist and that abscess is never treated--the tooth extracted-- these patients are at great risk.

I hope that local dental associations across the country are picking up, where public health programs have dropped the ball. Such a horrible tragedy to lose ones life because of an untreated tooth infection. sigh...

[orpupilofnature57]

5. As a person that has massive dental work I know what a Gift that is.

[durablend]

6. Sounds like you have a conscience

While other dentists have a Porsche payment to earn.

[TygrBright]

10. There are plenty of dentists like that...

...(the Porsche payment, or the vacation home, or the Ivy League tuition for the kid, or whatever,) but there are also PLENTY of dentists like PCIntern.

My dentist provides large amounts of free and discounted care, but he does not publicize it for fear of being overwhelmed with requests. Nevertheless, I have more than once sent someone with limited or no ability to pay to him, and he's done what he could for them.

In the process of doing an informal study on the state of oral health in New Mexico, we discovered a LOT of dentists who are trying desperately to wedge their fingers in the dike to stem the vast tide of unmet need. They do a great deal on an individual basis.

The problem comes on a COLLECTIVE basis-- the State dental association decided to range itself against a legislative proposition to create a "paradental" level of training/licensure: More than a hygeinist, less than a dentist, but able to do simple procedures like uncomplicated extractions, etc., on their own, and to refer and coordinate care with dentists as needed. In our very large (geographic) state, with so many people living in rural areas and a critical shortage of dentists in those areas, the additional level of certification would allow us to build a larger workforce of oral health professionals to meet the need.

Nevertheless, urban dentists in Albuquerque and along the Rio Grande corridor (who are dominant in the state association) feared the additional competition from the new level of professionals enough to oppose it at the state legislature.

It's not the individuals who are the problem. It is the entire health care SYSTEM, from soup to nuts. Training professionals, locating and equipping facilities to meet the needs, providing medications and treatments, payment, followup, prevention, primary care.... all of it. Busted to a fare-thee-well.

Kudos to PCIntern and all the dedicated oral health professionals who do what they can. If they can ALSO put the arm on their colleagues to quit digging in their heels and opposing any/all change in the profession as a whole, that would be a bonus.

wistfully,
Bright

[XanaDUer]

12. So does mine.

Bless her.

[mfcorey1]

7. When I attempt to get a simple cleaning, the dentist wants me to get expensive

deep gum cleaning even though I cannot afford it. I have dental insurance that will pay for a simple cleaning, but the deep dental is about 250 per section. Therefore, I leave with nothing. Bless you for working beyond the compensation. There are many of us who appreciate your service. Still looking for someone to clean my teeth.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

8. We need more healthcare providers like you, PC Intern.

And more free/low cost clinics where folks can get the care they need.

[pipi_k]

9. Another kudos....

Honestly, it really does surprise me that there are so few health care providers out there...doctors and dentists...who will not go the extra 1/2 mile and provide AT LEAST one free service per month. Giving back to the community, sort of.

Anyway, thank you for, like someone else said, having a conscience.

[LibDemAlways]

29. I was once sitting in the waiting room of a dental office when I

heard the receptionist on the phone with a patient. The person evidently had a toothache and was requesting an emergency appointment. The receptionist was absolutely adamant that the person still owed the office $300 and would not be seen until that bill was paid. The individual apparently offered to pay a portion of the outstanding bill but the receptionist wouldn't budge. All or nothing.

The dentist in question lived in a gated community and had a thriving practice. It seemed cruel to deny treatment to a patient in pain but that's exactly what happened.

I agree. High fives to the compassionate OP.

[MedicalAdmin]

111. Our clinic provides reduced cost and/or free services to about 10% of our patients.

And no, we don't advertise it. The problem is that the most difficult and time consuming cases tend to need the most free services and that is a direct result of the US crap system that allows small problems to get big.

[Fumesucker]

11. As you do unto the least of these so you do unto me..

:hug:

[elocs]

13. You write this so matter of factly, but this is a very moving OP.

An example of what true humanity should be and a simple formula of what would make this world a better place.

[muffin1]

14. Wow. I don't even know what to say besides

Thank you. And :yourock:

:hug:

[NorthCarolina]

15. A big "THANK YOU" for what you do. nt

[LadyInAZ]

16. Harsh american reality

6 months after recession announced I had a tooth crack and break off, which previously gone thru a root canal years earlier. now facing fact I was unemployed, no health insurance of any kind, i had to dig into my own savings to pay for the procedure to extract the tooth via surgery. lack of access to health/dental care is always a major issue. also when country is in a financial crises medical practitioners should be concern with the welfare of its patient not the fact they are not able to pay. now its 2 years later for me, last wisdom tooth hurts more now. and my savings is gone for 7 or 8 months. will this happen to me too? where is the humanity thru out the recession? have we become so narrow minded.. selfish.. that we can not ban together in our hour of need?

[Pooka Fey]

17. Thank you for your good works and for your good example.

:-)

[JHB]

18. Even so, the lack of coverage promotes bad habits about check-ups...

...the report doesn't give this information, but it sounds like he wouldn't have been getting regular check-ups, where it may have been able to address the problem early (with a filling?).

In addition, just the act of getting regular check-ups puts dental care (or any other preventative care) in the category of "things to think about" and not just ignore until it becomes unavoidable.

[Shandris]

57. Regular check-ups?

What, you mean the fifty bones a lot of people probably don't have to just toss about? I mean, it's a great idea in theory...but in practice, it doesn't happen when your income is very low. That's you kid's entire Christmas, for instance. Or, you can (probably) have the dentist tell you a) everything's fine, or b) you need an unchristly amount of work. There's not much of an inbetween.

[JHB]

74. Precisely.

[Betsy Ross]

19. Bless you. n/t

[Chorophyll]

20. Thank you. That's all I got.

:hug:

[LaydeeBug]

21. I love you.

nt

[NutmegYankee]

22. The words of a true medical professional.

You put health and life before profit. Thank you!

[PCIntern]

23. I edited to include a most important, but untyped(!) 'NOT'

what I MEANT to say was that there is virtually NO detective work going on re: stroke/endocarditis....the morbidity/mortality is huge re: dental issues.

And to answer a question: we can get very cheap antibiotics and dispense them: I do this for the (relatively few) poor and indigent who manage to make it into my office. You don't need expensive pain pills if you get right to the root cause...BTW, 400 mg Ibuprofen plus one regular acetominphen every 6 hours IF YOU CAN TAKE THE MEDS, is great for dental pain.

[Joe Bacon]

102. Thank you for everything you do!

I'm lucky that I have a dentist who does the same thing. Just grateful that you will go above and beyond to help those in need!!!!

[Generic Other]

24. When I was in college a guy told me he did his own dental work!

And put cement in the tooth! I was horrified. Something I just never forgot.

[bengalherder]

42. It's actually a part of emergency dentistry in the wild.

From a group who seems be connected with third world healthcare:


http://hesperian.info/assets_org/dentist/wtndentist_2010_ch10.pdf

[MuseRider]

25. Thank you for this.

It keeps me believing there is still a reason to save humanity. Sometimes it seems that doing a good thing for someone else either gets you in trouble or called a fool.

[proud2BlibKansan]

52. That sig pic is awesome!!!

:rofl:

[MuseRider]

63. :) n/t

[ooglymoogly]

77. +1 For the perfect picture worth a thousand words. nt

[Bonobo]

26. Too bad so many dentists don't accept dental plans...

Or it wouldn't have to come to that.

Insurance companies often sell dental policies that are a rip off and few dentists join.

Many rip offs out there.

I heard it was because 30 years ago or so when private insurance started taking off, dentists didn't want to join because they didn't want to have prices dictated to them.

[PCIntern]

27. this whole dental business is so complex:

I've been in it for 34 years and it's beyond me. Sometimes I feel like a cockroach who's getting 'alternate side of the street parking regulations' explained to him.

[lunatica]

28. You're great!

There will always be a need for your profession.

[Little Star]

30. Thank you for what you are doing. k&r for your kindness.

[Octafish]

31. You are a real doctor.

No matter what, you use your gifts and art to heal.

With all my heart, thank you.

[the_chinuk]

32. This is the most heroic thing I've heard of in a while. n/t k/r

[AsahinaKimi]

33. My dad is a Dentist.

He would do the exact same thing and probably has...

[webDude]

35. Oh my God, a really nice guy! Thanks, you renew my faith and save lives!

[Enthusiast]

37. You set a wonderful example.

We appreciate you.

We know what many of the others think:

[gateley]

38. Mother Teresa said "If you can't feed a hundred mouths,

feed one". That's what you're doing, one by one.

Those people are lucky to have you, and so are we! Carry on! :headbang:

[Mira]

39. It's what I would have expected of you and supports that over time

you became one of MY heroes that scroll across the support line of my life
(with a nod to Steven Colbert's scroll......)
recommended

[grantcart]

40. It happens frequently and has been happening for a long time

Turkana Boy, the most complete early human skeleton estimated 1.5 million (homo erectus) showed that he probably died from an infection that originated from an untreated tooth infection.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkana_boy

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/evolution/becoming-human-part-2.html

SUSAN ANTÓN: If we look at his lower jaw we can see right here, under the teeth that we've got a bit of an abscess and an infection. That kind of an infection could have entered the rest of his body, could have killed him.

NARRATOR: An abscess that ate away that much of his jawbone, would have been agonizing.

Turkana Boy is in so much pain he's unable to continue the hunt. Knowing he would be looked after, perhaps he returned to his campsite to find comfort among the females and thought of him like one of their friends who helped them until they could get back on their feet.

My father was a dentist who also treated all without looking at their ability to pay asking that they pay $ 5 a month on any outstanding balance. He thought that this was a better solution than simply giving the treatment for free because it allowed people to maintain a sense of dignity and self reliance.

Hundreds came to his funeral when he died in mid age. Many were patients who felt a need to tell someone in the family that he had carried them when they couldn't afford it but that they had eventually been able to pay it off.

[evilDonkey]

41. It's a senseless tragedy NM

[Rex]

43. You are doing something that earns my respect instantly.

Anyone that would work out of compassion and not their wallet is the type we need more of in America and the world! Thank you for what you do, I've had horrible problems with my teeth in the past and nearly died from an abscess tooth. Thankfully I have a great dentist now that has compassion and really cares about his patients!

[Hepburn]

44. Hearts...

...and hugs!

:loveya: :grouphug:

You deserve both! :thumbsup:

KnR

[Raschel]

45. I love you!

[Hawkowl]

47. You are a hero.

Truly. You save peoples lives. :applause:

[Kind of Blue]

48. Thank you, PCIntern. There are no

other words to describe my heartfelt gratitude :hug: :hug: :hug:

KNR!

[PCIntern]

49. you're welcome to everyone...just some info:

cost of local anesthesia: about 25 cents
cost of gauze and cotton: about 5-10 cents
cost of instrumentation: zero - my forceps and elevators are largely from 1979 and are in perfect condition.
cost of assistant and personnel: zero. they're on weekly salaries.
cost of paperwork/chart: maybe 20 cents maybe less. How much does a staple and a coin envelope for the radiograph cost?

You get the idea...

On edit: I buy 500 Ibuprofen for about three bucks...I get a supply of antibiotics for about 25 dollars and they last me a year here.

[blueamy66]

50. You're awesome.

nt

on edit: My guy's dentist knows that we owe him payments and we give what we can and he still sees him. We will pay off what we owe and stay with his dentist, cause he has a kind heart.

[spooky3]

51. thank you for saving lives and for setting an example for all of us.

[Zoigal]

53. Great to know there are still people like you in

the world. Sincere thanks for all your kindness.
We need folks like you in Congress, etc...z

[Solly Mack]

54. Thank you.

[shanti]

55. blessings to you, pcintern

you are a good person :hug:

[treestar]

56. Bless you

It is still appalling to me that this happened to such a young person.

[earcandle]

58. I applaud you, dear sir. May more dentists and doctors follow your example.

[CrispyQ]

59. This was the best post I read all day.

:fistbump:

[highplainsdem]

60. Thank you! I admire you and wish there were more people like you.

[uberblonde]

61. I wish there were more people like you.

Thanks for caring!

[humbled_opinion]

62. If we had real universal health care

Deaths like this would be avoided. The problem is we don't have politicians that are willing to stand up for us. I think it is way past time for a serious march on D.C.

[sabrina 1]

64. Thank you for what you do!

It's hard to believe that anyone dies of something like this in a country that claims to have so much respect for life. But it is people like you restore faith that not all Americans think, as Rep. Grayson pointed out, like Republicans that if you have a medical problem you should 'die quickly'.

[TBF]

65. While you are awesome,

what we need is universal health care (including dental, vision, and mental health care). Folks shouldn't have to rely on haphazard charity, and I think of all the folks who won't even call a dentist because they think they can't afford to (and they're probably correct).

[PCIntern]

67. Yes, absolutely...n/t

[dajoki]

66. K&R

[Cleita]

68. That's good that you do that.

Still, let's hope the Republican anti-health care posse don't think that this is the way things should be done, that is medical providers having to suck it up to provide health care and drugs to those who can't afford it. If we can't pass laws for universal health care (including dental) then maybe we need to pass laws that allow health care providers to bill the county or state government for all services they provide to indigent and low income people for free. Maybe they will get the hint that something needs to be done.

[PCIntern]

69. fine with me...meanwhile, nobody's gonna die from this under my aegis. n/t

[southmost]

70. I hate that our health system has been reduced to this

thank u for for following your conscious

[October]

72. You're a good person. /nt

[Irishonly]

73. I Wish There Were Like You

I don't know what to say except thank you.

[onethatcares]

75. you are a good person, you can carry that to the grave

and no amount of money can change it either.

All I can offer is my sincere applause.

[madmom]

76. Aren't there a lot of antibiotics out there that only cost $4? I know my daughter had a rash on her

neck, they gave antibiotics, cost $4 at Rite-aid.I'm sure there are other places that offer the $4 drugs as well. To bad the person who was seeing him didn't tell him about these places.

[RamboLiberal]

78. Local grocery chain Giant Eagle antibiotics are free PA OH WV

Great PR IMHO.

Maybe the man in the story couldn't get to a chain store for cheaper rx price.

[Curmudgeoness]

79. You make me cry. Some days, you just hope there are people like you

still around. I, also, could not imagine knowingly allowing someone with a possibly fatal condition just walk away because they don't have the money to deal with it.

Karma, if there is such a thing, will send good things back at you threefold.

[dionysus]

80. you sound like a good man.

[JohnnyLib2]

82. Happy to give rec #200

A local dentist is also the elected coroner; I'm sure he does the same.

[Warpy]

83. Thank you. I've taken care of too many

who made it to the hospital with endocarditis, brain abscess, and a host of other things that were finally traced to that sore tooth they were trying to ignore because the kids needed something or they were trying to pay a mortgage with a part time job, whatever, they came last for one reason or another.

So yes, it happens a lot more often than people want to believe. That bad tooth will kill you if you ignore it long enough.

That is, unless you find one of the compassionate dentists out there who will pull it for you without charging retail.

[FourScore]

85. K&R

[Divine Discontent]

86. K&R - I feel like there's millions of us who have no funds to care for horrible teeth. Thanks for

all you do!

[pengillian101]

87. A hearty K&R

I know you must sleep well at night - thanks for your caring ! :hug:

[chill_wind]

88. Bless you, truly and thank you. It's good

to be able to think of the people fortunate enough to be in your care having this kind of potentially life-saving access and intervention when they otherwise might have no where else to turn.

K & R.

[DrunkenBoat]

89. That is very kind of you. I at this moment have a tooth I'm waiting to get loose enough to pull.

No income, no dental. Luckily, no abcess.

[dflprincess]

90. You're a good man and a true healer, PCIntern n/t

[NBachers]

91. Please continue posting rambling POS posts here at DU- when you get time

[Renew Deal]

92. Thanks for caring about people.

:grouphug:

[JDPriestly]

93. Thanks.

I don't think that Obama's new health insurance reform deals with dental care. We really need universal dental insurance. I have a theory (probably not true) that a lot of illnesses actually are caused by problems with the teeth.

[w8liftinglady]

94. PC- you have my undying respect.

You are in it for the right reasons.

Your patients are the lucky ones.

What goes around, comes around.good Karma to you....

[tilsammans]

95. You're a mensch!

Thank you for all you do. :yourock: :loveya:

[Brigid]

96. PCIntern,

Lunkheads in DC like Boehner and Cantor who think they are so far above the rest of us are not fit to tie your shoes. Tons of good kharma await you. :patriot:

[sunwyn]

98. Too bad you are not in Ohio. However I have enough broken, jagged teeth

to keep a dentist busy for month. I have been told my teeth will kill me. I have no doubt they likely will.

[Critters2]

99. Thank you for what you do!

People don't realize how serious dental problems can be. I have a parishioner who, as a child, lost her mother to endocarditis. As a person who inherited both bad teeth and a heart murmur, I take these matters very seriously.

So, again, thank you for the lifesaving work you do!

[sce56]

101. That is still one of the bones I have to pick with the Govt since I was told when I enlisted and

every time I re-enlisted for twenty years "Do twenty and you will get free medical free dental for life!" The US Govt is not honoring that promise and they need to! Dental health is integral to the whole body not just the mouth as the blood stream will carry the infection from the mouth to the rest of the body!

[pengillian101]

104. Lord love ya!

Thanks for serving!

I hope your VA care improves. My guy has a 100% P&T disability rating, and his dental health was covered by the VA to get care and dentures.

If you need help finding a VSO (Veterans Service Officer) who does this for you, please private talk, and I'll be more than happy to help you find your VSO :-)

[madrchsod]

103. you will be remembered for the help you provide for those in need....

[gunnergoz]

105. Thank you for being a good person

It is stories like yours that restore my faith in people, which is often tested and disappointed these days. I know there are uncounted professionals out there, doing their best in the face of a tsunami of economic misery and social inequity. Please keep up the good works because it is such deeds that not only help one person at a time, but inspire countless others to keep on going and overcome adversity.

[melm00se]

106. there was a time when I was

broke as hell and was in the same boat as the guy who died.

at the advice of a friend, I went to the dental school at the local university.

I was seen right away and had the necessary work done (no charge) by a dental student at the dental clinic (with a DDS professor handing over his shoulder)

[geckosfeet]

107. Godspeed to you.

[Honeycombe8]

108. Medicaid will pay for tooth extraction. Most working people can afford to pay for it.

The ones who seem to be falling through the cracks as far as health care of any sort are the working poor...those who aren't poor enough for Medicaid, but don't have ins. through employment and can't afford to buy it (who can afford ins. coverage these days? I'd find it a hardship, and I'm h ealthy and make a decent living.)

[Tuesday Afternoon]

109. You are a one of the good ones. A rare gem. k&r

[bvar22]

110. If anyone here is in the same situation,

check your area for the closest Community Health Center.
They are significantly less expensive,
offer a large discount for cash payment on the day of service (30% or more),
have a sliding scale for people who qualify,
and (at least in my experience in Rural Arkansas), have quality, dedicated Dentists/Oral Surgeons.

They may not take Emergency Cases,
but can provide the remedial care necessary after an infection.


You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.

Solidarity!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------