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.

What good is state assistance (DSHS) medical coverage if no dentist will accept it for payment?
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.
Reply:When I see someone like you doing your level best to make a better life, I easily consider reducing my fees to the break even point or less. I just can't open the doors to the flood of welfare patients because NOBODY in my town does except for the clinic


[continued] Report It

Reply:[continued] and I'd be instantly FILLED with Medicaid patients. I'm sorry to say, but that would shut down my practice within about 3 months. I'd be bankrupt. Report It

Reply:Alternately, I could consider seeing one or two per week to let the rest of the patients help meet expenses, but then you'd have to wait weeks and weeks, so why tease you with such an offer? Report It

Reply:As far as the prejudice against smokers, I am not really prejudiced against smokers, but I'm saying that there are better ways to spend your money. You will deal with this once you are a counsellor... Report It

Reply:...and see what I mean. Besides, smoking is a guarantee that you WILL have gum and bone disease. A GUARANTEE, so try to quit! Report It

Reply:And please note that my smoking comment is part of a pre-written answer and that I posted without knowing that you were a smoker, so it's nothing personal. Report It

Reply:Tell me about it. I am in WI and it's impossible to find a dentist and if you do get that lucky it's usually about a 6 month wait. Can't you call the insurance and find a referral? That's what I had to do. It is awful and your so correct about having pain. If you get a bad infection in your tooth it can go into the blood and cause heart problems and even death. I wish you luck. Also if you can't find a referral maybe local dentists that will accept payment plans. I know it's difficult for "us" low income people, but it's better then no dentist at all.
Reply:Sorry but you can not mandate that a dentist accept a loss from seeing a patient on welfare. I have a job and don't have employee dental insurance-($80 a month and they only cover 50%) so I travel to the state university dental school for care.





I would try a federally funded health care clinic with a dental program. If I knew what state you are in it would help.
Reply:i say you cannot blame the dentist, but the system. i work, but i am not offered health insurance. i have NO coverage and it is horrible. i understand that some people want to be callous and go on about a dentist's "losses", but if health care was more readily available and affordable, you wouldn't be in such a spot to begin with.





that is why i am voting for a president that supports universal health care. i am sorry about your tooth.





you can try a medical college. they usually work for much less or even free in some situations. good luck.





EDIT: Terra: i too was a little disgusted at the attitude. this forum is full of people who think they are better than others and it can be so frustrating. i know you work hard and you are a smart woman. don't let the small minds get to you. :)