12-year-old uninsured Maryland boy dies of tooth decay

[Doondoo]

Twelve-year-old Deamonte Driver died of a toothache Sunday. A routine, $80 tooth extraction might have saved him. If his mother had been insured. If his family had not lost its Medicaid. If Medicaid dentists weren't so hard to find. If his mother hadn't been focused on getting a dentist for his brother, who had six rotted teeth.

By the time Deamonte's own aching tooth got any attention, the bacteria from the abscess had spread to his brain, doctors said. After two operations and more than six weeks of hospital care, the Prince George's County boy died.

Deamonte's death and the ultimate cost of his care, which could total more than $250,000, underscore an often-overlooked concern in the debate over universal health coverage: dental care. Some poor children have no dental coverage at all. Others travel three hours to find a dentist willing to take Medicaid patients and accept the incumbent paperwork. And some, including Deamonte's brother, get in for a tooth cleaning but have trouble securing an oral surgeon to fix deeper problems.

.......

"I certainly hope the state agencies responsible for making sure these children have dental care take note so that Deamonte didn't die in vain," said Laurie Norris, a lawyer for the Baltimore-based Public Justice Center who tried to help the Driver family. "They know there is a problem, and they have not devoted adequate resources to solving it."


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/27/AR2007022702116.html

[NMMNG]

1. Well,

If his mom had only saved up every penny she'd ever need to raise him before she got pregnant none of this would have happened. :sarcasm:

[Kutjara]

2. Welcome to the new Middle Ages.

We're not even as socially advanced as the Victorians. Oliver Twist got better care than many of our children.

[cgrindley]

84. We chain our children to looms at age 6?

That's just ridiculous. As a medievalist, I can tell you for a fact that people did not die in huge numbers from any dental diseases in the middle ages...

Here's a pretty typical abstract from a refereed journal article on the subject... in case you're wondering, there have been 30 or so refereed articles on medieval dentition published since 1976...

As far as I can tell from a cursory search of current dental literature is that 20% or so of contemporary Americans have dental caries that have either been treated or have not been treated. EG medieval teeth were at least as good as modern teeth.

Summary: Reconstruction of the life of ancient peoples can be accomplished by studying their dental remains. The further we go into the past, the greater the importance of dental remains for answering a wide spectre of questions related to the life of a particular community. The dental system is a valuable source of information on the type of food, illnesses, and social stratification within a community. The purpose of this paper was to determine the frequency, distribution, and characteristics of dental caries in the mediaeval population of Bijelo Brdo in Croatia. The analysed sample consisted of the dental remains of 85 individuals with the total of 1064 teeth. The majority (979 or 92.0%) of the teeth belonged to the permanent dentition, and this data set was analysed in this report. The frequency of antemortem tooth loss in the sample was 6.7%, the frequency of caries – 9.5%. The most frequent recorded caries were interproximal (3.9%), followed by occlusal (2.9%), and buccal/lingual (1.3%). This research showed that the frequency and distribution of dental caries in the early mediaeval population from Bijelo Brdo is very similar to that of other European populations of the same socio-economic status during the same historic period. Chronological changes in the localisation of caries in populations that inhabited continental Croatia during the mediaeval period indicate a gradual reduction of interproximal caries and an increase of occlusal, buccal, and lingual lesions. These data suggest a change of diet with softer foods becoming more available in the younger time periods.

The frequency and distribution of caries in the mediaeval population of Bijelo Brdo in Croatia (10th–11th century). By: Vodanovi?, Marin; Hrvoje, Brki?; Mario, Šlaus; Željko, Demo. Archives of Oral Biology, Jul2005, Vol. 50 Issue 7, p669-680, 12p; DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2004.11.014; (AN 17812141)

[Kutjara]

94. Let's not be too literal-minded.

People don't ride around on chargers, live in castles and own serfs today either. I didn't mean that we literally live in the Middle Ages (or the Victorian era for that matter.)

I was referring to people dying from easily preventable diseases, rather than any specific condition, dental or otherwise. I am aware that tooth decay was less prevalent in times when highly processed foods and refined sugar were not yet available. My point was that, in Medieval times, people died from the diseases of ignorance, poverty and the inaction of an uncaring upper class. Today, many people are dying of the same things. That's before we even consider the corrosive effects of unquestioning religious faith.

Also, we may not "chain our children to looms at age six," but an unacceptable number of our children live in abject povery, lacking basic nutrition and health care. We're also perfectly happy that other countries chain their children to looms so that we can buy cheap clothes at Wal-Mart. Just because the workhouse is in China, doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

[cgrindley]

96. True enough

You're preaching to the choir.

[Greeby]

3. Holy Jeebus

:wow:

[mmonk]

4. Welcome to America

Of course in Amurika, you get to keep your money. Can't have one of them big guvmint solutions like they have in them Marxist Leninist countries. Them people need to git a job. Quit asking for them handouts.

[JNelson6563]

5. A true horror

Some education and dental hygiene supplies could go a long way. This poor child had to've suffered unspeakably and for a very, very long time.

I would use this story to teach parents the importance of taking care of the teeth. Most people (especially those who are overwhelmed with keeping heads above water) do not realize how deadly dental neglect can be.

Me and mine are very fortunate. When my kids were little we were very bad off financially. I have long suffered with dental issues so I was obsessive with my kids teeth so that they'd be spared such miseries. They were probably 8 and 11 by the time I really got them some dental care but, because of obsessive basic care, no cavities.

But of course it's more important that we spend our tax dollars on bombs and tanks instead of making sure our kids have healthy teeth. Grrrr.

Julie

[w8liftinglady]

8. this is why I have always harped about a national dental plan.

the medical plan is important.We need state sponsored dental care as well.

[JNelson6563]

16. Yes, very important

as this heartbreaking story highlights. Dental health is as important as any other component of a medical plan.

:toast:

Julie

[phylny]

27. An elementary school I worked in in Virginia had dentists come in to screen

kids FREE OF CHARGE and then, provide needed care for those who financially couldn't afford it.

I did see kids - first graders - with teeth literally rotting, and one parent denied that anything was wrong (it was obvious that her four front teeth were rotting). However, most parents were grateful and the kids were the beneficiaries.

[all.of.me]

41. one dentist here does a free cleaning day annually.

they seal molars for free, too, and check for cavities or the need for orthodontia. it's really a godsend, since a cleaning and exam is about $100.

[proud2BlibKansan]

86. We have a dental clinic in my elementary school

Every kid in our school gets free dental care.

There is a poster in this thread trying to argue with me about the need. But it's real. We raised the money to build the clinic when we realized there was only one dentist in our county who saw medicaid patients.

It's very sad. We have kindergarteners who come to school at age 5 with very serious dental problems and they have never been to the dentist. We have had several who have had to be admitted to a hospital for surgery to repair their rotten teeth; there was too much damage to take care if it all in a dental chair.

[SammyWinstonJack]

132. Why can't we taxpayers, which includes most ALL AMERICANS, get the same health care plan that our

Congresscritters get? We pay for their health care plans and yet they won't afford us the same! That is shameful! If they won't give us a universal health care plan, the least they could offer us, is the same plan they make us pay for, for them! :wtf:

[shrike]

50. No kidding he suffered

I had an infected wisdom tooth and was in agony for days. Had to be on antibiotics -- they decided to remove the upper tooth first, in hopes that the swelling would go down. Of course it didn't, and I had to sit there sucking on ice (no one thought to give me painkillers; I was a kid) until my next appointment, when the dentist finally pulled the damned thing. Believe my mouth needed three stitches.

[laundry_queen]

58. Sometimes, despite obsessive care, teeth still rot.

Some people just have bad teeth, or a bad bacterial mix in their mouth. I know, I've been there with my kids. Just want to put that out there, so people don't think that kids with rotten teeth means the parents neglected oral care.

[NorthernSpy]

62. people tend to exaggerate the amount of control they have over outcomes...

You can control how often you brush your teeth, floss, and avoid soda, etc. You have a good degree of control over your own habits. But you don't necessarily have nearly that much control over your health per se, because the most important factors may be out of your hands.

I used to indulge in a little self-congratulation over having developed no cavities despite not visiting the dentist as a child. But then I found out that other people took equally good care of their teeth, but got tooth decay and other problems anyway. Not everyone inherits thick enamel, just as not everyone inherits tall stature, or whatever.

[TahitiNut]

93. Yup. It's a modern form of voodoo ... keeps the scary stuff away.

It's especially common among younger, educated adults to think that folks who fall to illness or economic catastrophes "did something wrong" and that they, the more enlightened, know how to keep it from happening to them. (It's also common among right-wingers, but I digress.)

Our social safety nets are almost worthless if they're strung 1" above the concrete - and it's almost useless to yell "don't fall!"

[Mad_Dem_X]

79. So true

You can take very good care of your teeth, and something bad can still happen to them.

[JNelson6563]

118. Yes, this is true

But I would say in most cases, one has much control over their dental health. I would say many do not fully realize the importance. Only through my own suffering (due to neglect as a child) did I develop the obsessive behavior in regard to my own kids' dental health.

I used to help out in a Head Start. Some of those kids had many teeth rotting. Some of those parents actually believed that since those were "just baby teeth" it didn't matter since they'd get new ones eventually. Additionally I saw many kids in grade school when my kids were that age who had those new teeth in and they would be so coated with plague and crud it was obvious there was no tooth brushing going on.

So sure, while there are those cases of no matter what you do there's going to be trouble, I will remain convinced lack of dental hygiene is behind most of these problems. I also believe if more people were properly educated on the topic (stories like this are a great example to use!) more would make it a higher priority.

Julie

[bleedingheart]

129. one of my best friends has "soft teeth" and she goes to the dentist

all the time...but the poor woman's teeth were not meant to last her lifetime. She has been holding on to the few teeth she has left but has said that by 55 she will most likely have false teeth.

[leftchick]

6. that is just horrible

tell me again why america is so fucking great? I feel so sorry for that family and how they are suffering. :(

[EFerrari]

7. K&R

[sweetheart]

9. no child left behind

The uberpoverty of the republican-created underclass is simply tragic and so totally avoidable.

[ikojo]

10. My condolences to Deamonte's family.

I grew up poor and didn't go to the dentist for the first time until I was 19. A dental exam was required for our school physicals but my mom always turned in the form without that information and the school didn't say anything.

Guess I got lucky.

The state of MO did away with adult dental care for Medicaid patients. Thank you Gov Blunt.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. And there is only one dentist in Jackson County who sees kids on medicaid

Blunt doesn't care about kids. His idea of reforming medicaid is launching investigations for fraud by providers.

That of course, has resulted in thousands of dentists signing up to treat medicaid patients. :sarcasm:

[Control-Z]

11. Just fuck

This doesn't shock me. I know it should but anymore these stories just makes me feel angry and helpless. That poor family. :cry:

edit: typo

[durrrty libby]

12. We have just about reached the bottom of the barrel in

caring about our fellow citizens

Truly shameful



Hey :hi: dancingAlone, nice to see you. Hope all is well :pals:

[Control-Z]

124. Hi, durrrty libby

All is well, thank you. I'm really enjoying the lovely California weather. It is perfect for me this time of year.

How are you? :hi:

[Laughing Mirror]

13. The best health care money can buy

An ordinary tooth extraction that would have cost $80 winds up costing $250,000, with the added bonus of the loss of a boy's life, and all the pain and suffering that comes to his family with that.

If this boy's needless death is not an argument for immediate free comprehensive health care for everybody I don't know what is.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

59. someone needs to find out how many people this happens to

I expect it to be many.

[DearAbby]

75. I knew someone who pulled

there own teeth. Because the money was better spent elsewhere, their children. The sacrifices of a parent for their child. This should never happen here.

[michreject]

14. Do you mean to tell me

that there wasn't one Dentist that would have pulled his tooth for free in order to save his life? I'm sorry but this goes far beyond national health care or political parties. You might expect the Dentist's of one political party to only be in it for the money, but what about the Dentist's from the other political persuasion? Are they only in it for the money as well?

I have not mentioned a political party affiliation as this has something to do with the whole Dental profession, whom has members in all parties.

I think that there is more to this story. Granted the mother lacked medical coverage, but I believe the the tooth problem might have been thought to be less serious that it really was and therefore didn't seek medical attention until it was to late. I gotta believe that someone, somewhere would have performed the extraction for free if they were aware of the seriousness of the condition.

*Flame suit on*

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. Liability

Doesn't surprise me in the least. No, medical providers can't offer their services for free anymore. They risk losing their malpractice insurance.

[w8liftinglady]

21. and,to be fair,there are more than one kid in dire dental straits

These dentists need their care subsidised.The overhead of running a dental practice is very high.

[proud2BlibKansan]

26. The insurance companies are in charge of the medical industry

This is a sad reality.

[lapislzi]

46. Operative word alert: INDUSTRY

When did health and medicine become an INDUSTRY? When and why do profits trump care?

I would never suggest that a doctor isn't entitled to earn money commensurate with her skill level. This is about insurance companies harvesting obscene profits to the detriment of all but a select few.

[michreject]

25. I don't believe that for a minute

If someone has a heart attack on the street and a Dr. is next to him, they can't perform emergency treatment for fear of loosing insurance?

Edit to add: I live in the Metro Detroit area and there are Doctors and Dentists who perform services for free to the shelters. There are Dentists who perform free service at their offices one day a month. Not all, but some.

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. I teach in an urban school

We built a dental clinic in our school because a majority of our kids had no access to dental care. There is only ONE dentist in our county who sees kids on medicaid. ONE.

Yes, believe it. The days of health care providers donating their care are long gone in my community. Medicaid paperwork is way too time consuming. The reimbursement from the govt to the providers is way below actual cost. This is a very serious problem. It has gotten much worse in the last 5 or 6 years.

[michreject]

45. There is free medical services available

In Kansas City

http://www.kcfree.org/

In Detroit

http://detroit.donyell.net/?p=336

All across America

http://www.freemedicalcamp.org/

It's sad that people cannot afford medical coverage, but to say there is no alternative is not true.

[proud2BlibKansan]

70. Call and see how long you have to wait for an appointment

and if they even see pediatric patients. And if they have a dental clinic.

I am offended that you have basically called me a liar. My school spent YEARS (not minutes, like you) studying the medical care available to kids in our community. We spent MONTHS applying for grants (and continue to do so) so we could build a dental clinic in our building. Our justification for the grant was the LACK OF DENTAL CARE in our community for children. And now you think with a quick little Google search you can prove me wrong. And I guess you believe we can fool the state and private agencies that gave us the money for our clinic but we can't fool you.

PUHLEEZE.

What is your point? To justify depriving needy kids of dental care? That is downright sick. A kid DIED. Did you not read the OP?

[michreject]

95. I quote you

No, medical providers can't offer their services for free anymore. They risk losing their malpractice insurance.

I simply pointed out that this in not true. How you comprehend it is up to you.

It is offered in the metro Detroit area. They run stories about it in the newspaper. Have for years.

[proud2BlibKansan]

112. So why did this kid die?

Since so many dentists are coming forward to offer services for free, why did this kid die from lack of care?

[michreject]

117. I don't know

I only know what I read in the story. Do you have any insight that you would like to share?

Maybe the mother didn't realize the extent of the infection. This from the article. If his mother hadn't been focused on getting a dentist for his brother, who had six rotted teeth.

Nice how you slide in "so many dentists" when I pointed out there were a few/some.

[Leopolds Ghost]

115. Why?? Insurance companies want to keep rates up?

[Texasgal]

125. Just to be fair..

That is not true.

I am an RN that is employed by group of surgeons. These guys do charity cases all of the time. They will even pay out of their pocket the costs of using the surgery suite.

[mainer]

23. All the office manager hears on the phone is: "I'm Medicaid."

And if the dentist's office has been burned before by the Medicaid program, they're just not going to take the patient. They don't know it's an emergency. They don't know how seriously ill the kid is. They just know that the state has screwed them in the past, and they don't want to go near the program. I'm sure that most dentists WOULD do the work for free, but they don't want to risk getting investigated by the state.

[Chulanowa]

32. The problem is America's for-profit medical care

Don't have the dough? Sucks to be you, you can either die, or you can get put out to the street after the repo man takes all your assets. There's no interest in curing a problem, much less preventing one. The sicker you are, the more cash comes in for the hospital. it is in their best interests to keep you as ill as possible without actually killing you.

which is why we get television ads for hardon pills and sleeping pills, rather than reminders that we don't need a half-pound of bacon on out cheeseburger and that lots of water and a relaxation period is good for getting sleep.

[Midlodemocrat]

63. One of my friends provides free dental service to indigent patients

every Friday.

People like that DO exist. His mom must not have known about them, but I know my friend has publicized his services in the surrounding schools to get the word out.

And, he's not the only one. There are a bunch of dentists who rotate. And, IIRC, some dental schools will provide care for indigent patients.

This is just a tragedy.

[Critters2]

76. I worked for an agency that ran such a program

We had a system in place where we made referrals, so that they were spread between the dentists who volunteered for the program. We encouraged those who could pay a bit to do so, but it wasn't required. We went out of our way to make it work for the dentists. We worked our asses off to recruit dentists.

Yet, in a county with nearly 200 dentists, 7 agreed to work with us.

Don't tell me what great folks dentists are.

[Name removed]

85. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[proud2BlibKansan]

87. The need is just huge

I think what your friend is doing is wonderful but in my community, we need dozens of dentists to do this to meet the needs of the kids who lack dental care. Our local dental school goes into schools to do screenings but their waiting list for schools wanting those screenings is a year long. An appointment at the dental school is often a 9 month wait. Access to dental care for the poor is a HUGE problem here where I work. Yes this story is tragic but it really doesn't surprise me in the least.

[michreject]

101. I agree

I am aware that there are medical professional who perform free service. The word needs to be spread to those who need it.

[bread_and_roses]

109. don't want to flame anyone but the realities don't match your post

trying to get dental care when you are very poor is a nightmare and people are often simply unable to get it. As for finding a dentist who will do it "for free" - good luck. I have been with medicaid patients turned away at dentists office with a face swollen three times it's usual size and in agony from an abscessed tooth.

That poor child....and his mother, what she must be going through....

[Hekate]

111. No examination, no extraction. Mom tried & tried to find someone who would LOOK at the kid.

See, that's the neat thing about the Republican privatizing system, the free market will take care of everything better than government ever could system.

No one is ever to blame except the victim, whose fault it is for not having planned their crises better. Isn't tht cool? No dentist in the entire region is to blame for this boy's death, because no dentist ever saw him, because no dentist takes Medicaid.

It's brilliant, I tell you. :sarcasm:

My mother is dead today in part because no rheumatologist in the entire city of Salt Lake would accept Medicare patients. A number of things contributed to her death last fall, but runaway unrelieved pain was right up there. Long story, just take my word for it, okay?

I still have a hard time accepting that it can even be legal for medical personnel in an entire region to do this. But it is.

Hekate

[bleedingheart]

130. Do me a favor...Call all your local dentists and pretend you have no insurance

or no money...

Ask them if they will pull one of your teeth for free.

Then let me know the statistics.

I knew a girl without health insurance who had a really bad rash on her torso. She called every doctor in town and all wanted at least $100 upfront to see her and a credit card number...

[PCIntern]

15. As a dentist,

I can tell you that this is a huge problem.

Gigantic, actually.

Here in PA, the Commonwealth made it almost impossible to accept DPA insurance, when the HAD it, by making us jump thru hoops. I used to do some work myself in this regard, maintaining a registration with them, until they proactively started to attempt to destroy us as practitioners via, set-ups - wherein they would send ringers by to see if you were legit or not (the definition of that varied greatly) and audits. Everyone dropped out. It was as though the dentists and the docs became enemies of the state.

[w8liftinglady]

19. I know...and it would be relatively inexpensive if they could get these kids early

subsidise having their teeth cleaned quarterly,and fillings as needed.

[KharmaTrain]

24. I Went 20 Plus Years Without Dental...

In the 80s, my employers health insurance covered almost everything BUT dental. If you wanted that coverage you either had to pay for a supplemental or get a seperate policy altogether...money a young family man couldn't afford if he was to make sure his kids had food and the bills got paid. My dental was "no big deal"...I would pay for it later.

I had a similar problem to this young man...a wisdom tooth that I should have had removed when I was in my 20s (when I couldn't afford either the insurance or the cost of extractions)...in my early 40s it became impacted and my face began to puff up as infections would flare up. I was fortunately able to afford (to the tune of several thousand dollars) to have the tooth removed before the infection spread...and was surprised at the time when my dentist told me how close I had come to meeting a similar fate.

The power of the insurance companies in determining health care and playing both doctor and god is a major problem. The need to maximize their profits on the backs of our healthcare system and the American people is one of the greatest injustices...and a silent one.

Today there are millions that either aren't insured or under insured...a health care time bomb I'm already seeing take a toll on my generation as years of medical neglect.

[phylny]

28. You're so right. My husband's company offers dental coverage, including

sealants and fluoride treatments for the little ones. Of our three girls, the oldest (21) has had two cavities/fillings, the younger ones (18 & 15) are cavity/filling-free.

It makes such a difference.

[raccoon]

42. Sealants are a wonderful thing. Wish they'd been available when

I was a kid ('50's, '60's).

[Horse with no Name]

104. My 4 -yr old granddaughter doesn't have dental insurance

I just spent $95 last week on having her teeth cleaned and examined. LUCKILY she didn't have any cavities, although they did recommend we get an electric toothbrush because of a couple places that were hard to reach.
Not everyone can do that. People need to realize that.
I didn't even price sealants. Right now we just have to do the best we can.

[dflprincess]

102. The other problem with dental insurance is the amazing low

annual caps, usually $1000 or $1500. My dentist told me that when denatl insurance was first being sold in the late 60s the caps were the same. $1000 bought a lot more dental work 40 years ago than it does now.

Plus, outside of cleanings, there are always copays. The plans usually cover 80% for fillings or root canals, but only 50% for a crown (my last crown cost $1100, I was lucky and able to come up with the copay out of my pretax dollars). I don't know what they pay for extractions so even if this mom had had dental insurance she still may not have been able to afford treatment.

More and more oral health is being linked to your overall health, I don't know why dental work isn't part of medical insurance (though that wouldn't have helped this family either.)

This is a disgrace and, while I'm glad the MSM covered it tonight (at least on NBC news they did), I wish they'd start banging the drum loud and hard over this.

[bobbolink]

127. question for you, dentist.

Did you all just "drop out" and forget it? Did you all get together and protest the mess?

This is what I find interesting..... I've been reading many posts on DU about gay bashing, and people coming together and supporting gays, but I don't read stories about coming together to change things for poor folk. We are alone and isolated.

While I appreciate you at least speaking out on DU, it doesn't change the fact that many of us will continue to suffer and die because our "cause" isn't deemed worthy of effort.

Could we all come to recognize that ALL groups deserve support and care? Could we give ALL groups the same effort to ease their condition?

It hurts very much to be in a group which is ignored and isolated.

[Vinca]

20. This is a heartbreaking story. The little kid must have been in

agony for months and months before he died. There's no excuse for this whatsoever. In dollars and cents, which we know means more to the current regime than life, this ended up costing the government a quarter of a million dollars. Damn it all - universal, single-payer healthcare . . . NOW!

[patricia92243]

22. In NC poor children can get dental care through the Health Department. The big thing is do they

KNOW about it. Education of available help needs to be really pushed.

[michreject]

47. Information is the key

People must be informed of available services. Not just medical but all available services. The providers(in this case, Dentists) are not the ones keeping this a secret. They're donating their time, effort and expenses.

[HuffleClaw]

29. "900 of the state's 5,500 dentists accept Medicaid patients"

MEEP


what a fucking disgrace.



on edit: of course, a toothbrush could have prevented all of this.

[mmonk]

30. Most of the time, a toothbrush is all that is needed

but not always. There are plenty of cases where children have reflux or other issues that increase acidity and break down the enamel.

[Horse with no Name]

105. I totally disagree

My daughter has very thin enamel on her teeth. She gets them cleaned regularly, but they always look like crap.
Four years ago, I spent $7500 having her put in the hospital under anesthesia getting her teeth fixed.
The work lasted two years. Her teeth flake off. It is a constant battle to have fillings done and re-done. We started the work all over again last year. Had to stop when we maxed out her dental coverage. She has already been to the dentist 4 times this year.
My other daughter has perfect teeth.
Sometimes there are factors beyond the control of a simple toothbrush.

[raccoon]

43. No, a toothbrush couldn't have prevented all of this.

I grew up in the '50's & '60's. My siblings and I had cavities, and my own mother even said, we'd never eaten that many sweets and we were brushing our teeth. She was big on dental care, I'm grateful for that.
Our water wasn't flouridated, by the way.

Some people get cavities more easily than other people. I don't know if my family are among those who get them more easily. Maybe so.

[Pacifist Patriot]

82. I am so grateful I inherited my mom's family's teeth and not my dad's.

Oy! What he has been through.

[Pacifist Patriot]

80. Not necessarily.

Some people are more prone to tooth decay than others.

I know the plural of anecdote is not data, but I'll offer this story anyway. My nephew has to have at least three professional cleanings a year and has a special daily oral care routine he has to do without fail or he's looking at getting a mouthful of cavities filled every four months. My kids could probably brush their teeth every other day and go to the dentist once every other year and never have a cavity.

It is hard to tell if the fact that the other sibling had dental problems indicates lack of proper hygeine or a loss in genetic roulette. Could be a bit of both. *shrug*

[Shakespeare]

100. You've obviously never had an absessed tooth.

I have, just about a year ago. I have excellent dental hygeine, but ended up with a badly infected tooth (the result of a bone bruise that got aggravated). It had zero to do with just "a toothbrush."

I also had to go to a second level of antibiotics after the first round didn't work, and I was THIS close to a trip to the ER. An absessed tooth is nothing to mess around with, ever.

[seabeyond]

31. dental insurance for people looking to pay is a horrid racket and

sxrews the customer. that is if you can even find a dental insurance. i asked our dentist for the best insurance for individuals to buy and the receptionist literally laughed at me and told me unless in a large plan with corporate, they were all lousy. so as i pay for dental insurance with aflac i watch myself get screwed time and again as they pay what and how much they chose without any control over them. our dental protection is ridiculous in this country and the cost of dental care is outrageous too.

[zbdent]

33. Of course, the righties will say "Oh, this is an isolated incident"

and dismiss any claims of lawsuits ...

but then they keep bringing up the "McDonalds Coffee" incident, despite the award being dramatically reduced ...

[Straight Shooter]

89. That McDonald's coffee incident ...

The woman almost died. I was shocked when I read the background of the entire story. She had skin grafts, was in the hospital, suffered greatly. Prior incidents of coffee burns had been settled, with confidentiality terms not to disclose to the public what McDonald's had paid.

Right-wingers jump to conclusions so often, their mascot should be changed from an elephant to a toad.

[nicknameless]

114. Plus she was elderly. It’s more difficult for the elderly to heal.

Plus McDonalds had 700+ prior accidents, with 2nd and 3rd degree burns, due to their coffee being scalding hot. (180 – 190 degrees)

The original court award was due to the obvious negligence of McDonalds.
The poor woman had only asked that McDonalds pay for her resulting medical bills.

Very sad case. And yes, the reich has lied about it for years, despite knowing the facts.

http://www.lectlaw.com/files/cur78.htm

[Hekate]

134. My sis dropped a cup of McD's coffee near her ankle & nearly needed skin grafts

She was in agony -- and after the visit to the ER, she had to see her doc daily for dressing changes until they were sure she wouldn't get some horrible infection or need a skin graft.

She was furious at the callous disregard of the restaurant manager, but didn't consider suing. If the burns had been more extensive, perhaps she would have. This was about 25 years ago.

This is how I know the coffee-in-the-lap story is completely true.

Hekate

[lectrobyte]

34. So sad. I used to think this kind of thing just didn't happen in America.

[PA Democrat]

35. Dental care is a big issue for people with developmental disabilities.

Many are on Medicaid due to their disabilities, and their caregivers are faced with the double obstacle of finding a dentist who will accept Medicaid AND one who is skilled at working with patients with disabilities which can be very challenging.

I think it is absolutely unconscionable, that this poor child died a horrible and agonizing death due to lack of dental care in the RICHEST country in the world. Our country is horribly broken to have something like this happen.

[Cobalt Violet]

36. And I wonder about the other 17,999 who died from lack of insurance.

It's getting bad out here. I'm sure they're all sad stories too.

[formercia]

37. Junk Food poisoning

High fructose corn syrup and other fast food ingredients that accelerate the growth of tooth decay organisms.

[NorthernSpy]

53. actually, ANY fermentable sugar will cause tooth decay, and natural fruit acids are hard on teeth...

Serious dental problems don't happen only to ign'ant victims of the Fast Food Industrial Complex.

[drbtg1]

77. Care to guess what the worst food for your teeth are? (Hint: it's not what you think)

Raisins.

Sweet and sticky. Bad combination.

Oreos are a close second.

[all.of.me]

39. this is gross.

but it also happened to a friend of mine. he didn't die, though. he was having seizures, and they thought he may have a brain tumor, since his sister had died of one when she was young. so they opened up his head, and inside were pockets of infection from his teeth! while he was under, they also pulled out at least four teeth. this was years ago, and today he is alive. his family was too poor to ever go to the dentist, and dental hygiene was never part of his daily habit. so sad.

i feel sorry for this young boy's family, but i hope word of this gets out to underline our health care situation.

[PCIntern]

40. Actually, I know something about the process of dental caries in kids

so what people need to realize that even in fluoridated environments, the pits and grooves of the teeth can decay, first 'relatively' slowly and then just as rapidly as anywhere else when it hits the denitn. These pits and grooves are literally impossible to clean with any device, so that's where the Achilles' heel is with all this stuff.

While it's true that junk food is an issue, the thing we are most afraid of here is when the kids suck on candies or continuously chew NEW gum, so the sugar or carbohydrates continuously bathe the teeth.

[NorthernSpy]

55. also, sugarless gum can help to prevent tooth decay...

While it's true that junk food is an issue, the thing we are most afraid of here is when the kids suck on candies or continuously chew NEW gum, so the sugar or carbohydrates continuously bathe the teeth.

You're right about that. I'd just add that you'd also want to limit the amount of contact between your teeth and acids of any kind (soda, for instance, is highly acidic -- and therefore hard on teeth, even if you choose one free of fermentable sugars).

Sugarless gum can actually help to prevent tooth decay if it is sweetened with xylitol, which is a bacteriostatic, non-fermentable polyol. Gum-chewing can also help to keep the teeth bathed in saliva, which maintains an alkaline and mineral-rich environment that is good for teeth.

[wicket]

44. So sad

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[BluePatriot]

48. OMG how horrifying

This makes me so sad and angry. What have we become?

[Xenotime]

49. All the more reason for national healthcare

[Lone_Star_Dem]

51. A 12 year old boys life and a $250,000 medical bill

All because routine dental care wasn't readily available.

[The Backlash Cometh]

52. I wish there was some way to send this to every republican who sends

political spam.

[TheBaldyMan]

54. So much for 'the best health care in the world' bullshit

the most advanced, richest democracy can't organise a clean up in New Orleans or healthcare for it's own.

It's a national disgrace, I feel for the poor kid's family.

ffs an $80 bucks dental bill! Who say's that the US govt. can't afford that? How many billions are being funneled into corporate welfare.

[Arkham House]

56. This almost happened to me...

...I had an abcessed tooth a few years ago, no insurance, and no money...and decided to just gut it out, not having any real choice... Finally, a friend practically kidnapped me and drove to the ER, where I got the damned thing pulled--after a good deal of usual preliminary humiliation and hassles...and the doctor told me that another 48 hours might have killed me...so: I can emphathize with that poor boy's family...

[Rosa Luxemburg]

57. In America your life is worth nothing. This government is a disgrace.

In other many countries he would have been treated free.

[IronLionZion]

60. I didn't even know that was possible

I had no idea tooth decay can kill you. If and when we get health care reform, they better provide quality dental and vision coverage too.

[NorthernSpy]

65. Scary, huh! Wonder how many of us immediately started checking ourselves for symptoms?

News like this strikes cold fear into the hearts of the uninsured. In addition to the horror that we feel over how that poor kid suffered, there's always that "gawd, could it happen to me?" reflex.

More than one person who read this story will floss today because of it. I guarantee that.

[usregimechange]

61. lost his medicaid.

[Midlodemocrat]

64. Yeah, that is troubling to me also. I would like to know how they lost their coverage.

[MountainLaurel]

67. According to the article

The mother thinks the paperwork had been mailed to a shelter after they had moved out.

[Midlodemocrat]

68. I didn't read the article. But, in my experience, a paperwork snafu

can be cleared up almost instantly.

When my dad was a Medicaid recipient in CT, his paperwork was transferred when he came to live with me in VA. At one point, some important piece of paper was lost and they removed him from the Medicaid rolls here.

All I had to do was make a phone call to social services in CT to fax the paperwork to MA and he was covered again.

I believe that once you are a federally covered life, you continue to be.

I'll bet that mom didn't know that. I remember when my dad first went on Medicaid, it was a nightmare to get the social worker to even tell us what was covered and what wasn't.

It's amazing what is covered. It is actually fantastic coverage.

[lildreamer316]

92. That's EXACTLY the problem.

It seems that the snafu happens because the people in the system are not educated or in communication with each other about what is covered and what is not. This extends all the way down to WIC and the grocery stores-what foodstuffs are covered and what ones are not changes on a regular basis; and the stores are not kept up to date about it either; or the paperwork is slow in getting there.

[bobbolink]

126. They "lost" their coverage, because it was cut in last year's budget bill.

At that time, Sapphire Blue posted time after time here on DU, *BEGGING* people to call, write and otherwise storm their Reps to NOT CUT MEDICAID. There were very few responses to her pleas.

Now, a year later, and the budget is now proposing to cut even more from Medicaid, plus housing assistance. So, people like this boy's family can not only have NO medical coverage, but they can also be homeless.

Could we NOW, please, all call and write our Reps and get the Medicaid money restored, and prevent the coming cuts??

PLEASE?!

[Sapphire Blue]

128. Seems to be much easier to throw up one's hands, asking "how did this happen?", than...

... to take the action needed to do something about it.

In the event that anyone would like to contact their Senators & Reps:

Capitol toll-free numbers:


1-877-851-6437

1-800-828-0498


Senators of the 110th Congress (including contact info): http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm


Write Your Representative: http://www.house.gov/writerep/

[calimary]

131. No kidding.

It goes back to that old saying...

If they think you don't care, THEY WON'T, EITHER!!!

They'll just go back to fundraising for their next campaign. That is what occupies most of their immediate thinking. You have to point them in the direction you really want them to go in. YOU have to lead. WE have to lead. It's really true: WE lead, and our so-called "leaders" only follow. Even some people in the media have caught on - that the voters, the American people, are WAY out ahead of this. I heard that from several Air America people (well, on my local progressive talk station - where they carry Jones network programming, too) in succession the other day - that the public is WAY out ahead. I think it might have been Ed Shultz who had some Congressperson on, and even that representative made note of this fact, also.

SOME OF THEM REALIZE IT, ALREADY. Those are the folks we have to keep steering properly, so they stay on course. The others still have to be AWAKENED. Rudely, if necessary.

'Cause the FACT is, this kind of third-world shit, where some little boy dies of frickin' TOOTH DECAY, just simply should NOT be happening in 21st century America.

[bobbolink]

133. Thank you so much, calimary! We people in poverty *NEED* support for the reason you have stated!

And you state it so eloquently!

This is why I' get so discouraged.... we poor folk can't do this alone.

We aren't heard.

We won't be listened to.

Without the support of "liberals", we will be ignored.

What will it take?????

[usregimechange]

66. I just sent this to MOs Medicaid "reform" committee.

[Turn CO Blue]

69. Sort of off-topic, but this is why the modern toothbrush is considered

the most important technological advance in the last two hundred years - not the automobile, computer, telephone or television. In the middle ages, dying from tooth decay was commonplace - and what a horrible, painful way to die! Good healthcare in the mouth is all about prevention, but when people need emergency dental procedures, it should be provided, for goodness sake.

[judaspriestess]

71. this is so sad (cross post)

and to top it off six weeks of hospital care and two operations, her mother is going to get slammed with astronomical medical bills that will go on her credit immediately keeping her from possibly ever finding a decent job because companies now judge on credit.

on edit: growing up poor, I know the issues of finding dental care and when we finally did, it was too late and I had several teeth pulled as a young child, it was devastating. I'm over it now but it affected my self esteem growing up having to wear a partial denture. Thank god I don't have to wear one anymore but I was one of the lucky ones.

[AZBlue]

72. Two things about this story upset me:

One was the needless death of this poor young boy and the pain that his family is now in. My heart goes out to them all.

Second is the focus on children only as needed dental and generally better health care. Let's face it, this is a crisis that affects seniors, adults and children alike. Each age group has a different set of needs and concerns when it comes to dental care, but each is just as important and, in cases like this, dangerous. We need to remember that not only children in this country are suffereing as a lack of health care - adults and seniors need it just as much.

(I also responded similarly in LBN, but this point bears repeating IMO)

[NorthernSpy]

74. good point...

:thumbsup:

You're right. I guess that people tend to focus on children because children have essentially NO options when it comes to acquiring medical care for themselves on their own. Even the bad options for obtaining treatment are out of their reach. For instance, a child would not be able to borrow money for dental work (which some adults are unfortunately forced to do).

[BlueStorm]

98. I agree with you. I'm a medicaid beneficiary...

and there are only three dentists in this area that works with that program.. I am an adult and have so-so teeth. I worry about losing them or having some kind of major procedure that will cost mega bucks and not having that kind of money, having to suffer the same kind of fate as this kid.

Dental care should be for EVERYONE... not just kids.

Blue

[beth9999]

73. Hey, kids dying...

... is par for the course when it comes to Repugs.

Seriously, sometimes I wonder if they'd kill every minority person in the country if it would put an extra twenty bucks in their pockets.

[sabbat hunter]

78. i wonder

i wonder how much of the dental issues also are because the family didnt eat properly due to financial issues. diet can greatly affect dental health.

also people should look to see if there is a local college where dental hygeinists train or a local dental school. often they will allow their students to 'practice' on locals free of charge, under the watch of an experienced dentists of course.


these of course are only patchwork, not the true solution, which is universal health care for all. health care includes the teeth. without proper dental care, you dont have proper overall health care.

[mainer]

81. Fluoridation and school health classes could be life-savers

Every elementary school should teach routine dental hygiene in health class. A lot of kids (and adults) never floss their teeth. But I really think that fluoridation is the simplest, and cheapest, way to improve dental health.

[cgrindley]

83. Read the article

The State failed these children. Not only should they have been provided with sound dental care, but they should have been removed from their mother years ago.

[Horse with no Name]

107. Why should the state remove these children?

Because they were poor? Because they were homeless?
Please elaborate because after reading the article I see a family who might have been helped by a system that were not.
The woman worked in a bakery and home health jobs that didn't provide insurance.
WTF do you expect her to do? People that work shouldn't have to live in the streets.
Shame on you.

[Danger Mouse]

88. Par for the course.

Your average Republican will read this, scoff, and go about their daily life without so much as a second thought.
Cheney or Bush would read this, rub their evil hands together and cackles.
Fucking soulless creeps.

[LeftishBrit]

90. That's horrific!!!!

A big argument for a national health care system. And for people not having to live in abject poverty.

There always seems to be plenty of money for wars.

[ncabot22]

91. Do dental schools still provide free/reduced services?

I wish this would be a bit more publicized. We didn't have a lot of money growing up and a few times we had to go to dental schools where the work was done under the supervision of licensed dentists.

This story is so sad! I feel so sorry for the family of this child. There should be universal dental care for children up until the age of 18. New Zealand, I believe, provides this service.

[cgrindley]

97. Yep, most if not all do

You don't even need a full dental program. Any place that even has a dental hygiene program will do just fine.

[Horse with no Name]

108. Just try getting into Baylor College of Dentistry

They offer their services FIRST to employees of Baylor University hospitals. I know this because I have seen the internal memos sent. The waiting list is long and they only accept certain types of outside cases. I would imagine that most dental schools follow the same practices. It's not as EASY as you make it sound.
>>>snip


Thank you for considering Baylor College of Dentistry for your dental care. Our clinics provide a full range of dental treatment for those who have dental treatment needs that correspond to the teaching needs of our students. Fees are somewhat lower than in a private dentist's office, but more frequent and longer visits are typically required.
http://bcd.tamhsc.edu/Patient_Information/patient_information.html

>>>>snip
Why do I need a screening appointment?

The screening examination provides a general assessment of your dental health. We must review the information gathered through the screening appointment to determine whether or not your case can be managed through our student clinics. Some patients will be informed at the screening appointment the BCD will be unable to meet their needs. Other patients will be notified within six weeks if they have been assigned to a student.
http://bcd.tamhsc.edu/Patient_Information/Clinical_FAQ/clinical_faq.html

>>>>snip
What if I have a dental emergency after the screening appointment but before the assignment?

If you have an emergency which requires immediate attention during the time you are waiting to be assigned, please seek the care of a private dentist.

>>>snip
How do I become a patient at BCD?

Thank you for your interest in becoming a general care patient at Baylor College of Dentistry. Patients will be seen on a first come first served basis (Monday – Friday). Doors open at 7:00 a.m. each day. A limited number of patients will be seen each day.

In order to be considered as a patient you will require a preliminary screening to determine if you are a teaching case patient for our dental students. Acceptance as a patient does not guarantee that you will be assigned to a dental student. Assignment to a dental student is based on the student needs. Since we are a teaching institution we only accept a limited number of patients. If you are accepted or referred to one of our specialty clinics a $16 fee will be charged. Referral to our specialty clinics does not guarantee that you will be accepted as one of their patients. The clinic will provide their own screening and notify you of their decision. The $16 fee is not refunded if you are not assigned. If you are not accepted as a patient no fee will be charged for the exam. You should have/bring names of medications you are currently taking with you as you will be asked to answer some medical history questions. Here are some important things that you should consider if you are interested in becoming a patient.

[w8liftinglady]

119. I work for Baylor,and it's hard for US to get in

It's pathetic to see the crowds in front of Baylor College of Dentistry.

[Horse with no Name]

122. If you work in the Hoblitzelle

or Collins--they send memos when they need patients.
I worked in Roberts...we never got memos.:shrug:

[raccoon]

120. I work at a community college that has a dental hygienist program.

They'll do cleaning and checkups, and X-rays, for a very modest fee.

That's it.

[Rex]

99. Welcome to the American Middle Ages.

Fucking pathetic.

[Horse with no Name]

103. How horribly sad

I have seen this happen in adults, never in a child.
I can't imagine how the mother feels.
When I was about 12, my parents didn't have dental insurance so we didn't go to the dentist regularly.
If we had a problem we went. Well, I had two teeth about rot out because I hated dentists so I never said anything and ended up having to have root canals on both teeth.
I don't blame the mother in this. Being poor in America is hell. Sometimes it takes all you have to simply survive...and sometimes that doesn't even work out.
My prayers to the family.

[diane in sf]

106. This is so sad, unnecessary and disgusting!

[derby378]

110. THIS is what George W. Bush has reduced us to...

:cry:

[Liberty Belle]

113. I've written articles for dentists on this topic, warning that

dental infections can cause serious health problems or death. It's not unusual for a dental infection to get into the bloodstream and cause heart failure, besides going to the brain as in this case.

Elderly people are at high risk of this due to often untreated periodontal (gum) problems as well as infected roots of teeth. Dental infections can also lead to fatigue, muscle aches, and a variety of lesser ailments. When I had an infected tooth pulled I found that health problems I'd had for a couple of years vanished overnight. I was lucky ...many more face deadly fates.

Dental treatment should be a right - along with universal healthcare. With the exception of cosmetic dentistry, dental treatments are critical to protect patients' long-term general health, and should not be treated as options only for the wealthy.

[outlookin_in]

116. I have lived in Maryland all my life and

and about 10 years ago I had a bad tooth and tried to find a
dentist. At one point 4 friends of mine and I sat with our
phones and called every dentist in the yellow pages. I had no
insurance and needed to pay cash. NOT ONE Dentist would see me
because I was not insured. I had to drive to Delaware to find
a dentist to extract the wisdom tooth for what I could pay.
One dentist told me on the phone: "if the procedure is
more than you have then that would be bad business." I
replied: "you are a type of Doctor aren't you? Isn't
dental health a vital part of health?" He said: "for
those who can afford it. I am running a business and no
insurance means bad business. Go to the University of Maryland
Dental School and a 3rd or 4th year student might take
you." Every now and then I call Dentists in this state to
see if there is any one who has decided to accept unisured
patients, haven't found one yet. 

[Kurovski]

121. It's ALWAYs amazed me that dental care is not considered important.

The up-front investment by the state and feds will save money in the long-run

Bad oral health also contributes to heart disease.

-Edited to make sense.

[dogday]

123. I knew a girl who let her abscess go so long

that she somehow began to swallow the infection and ended up in the hospital for 2 weeks with a Sepsis condition.... Go to the County ER, they can treat the infection...