How to get dental work done..

[Ele'ill]

While being poor, homeless and with limited resources?

I know of dental schools. To get as much done by students as I can for half the cost. That's my first choice. It's really bad and getting worse.

Loopholes, tricks, shortcuts etc...

[MattShizzle]

Depends where you live. Where I live there are NO dental schools or clinics within a reasonable distance (I myself am unable to drive due to disability) so your choice is pretty much the pliers/doorknob and string trick/ getting a friend to do it. I actually have already dug out rotted parts with a knife and used a thumbtack to burst an abcess. Also, things like Ambesol and taking double the ammount of OTC pain meds.

[Bitter Ashes]

i know in the UK that you still have to pay for dentistry, but you can get teeth pulled for free at a hospital. The NHS subsidises it a bit, but it's still out of reach of most people on a budget. I think it's become so ingrained into the British consciousness that we don't pay for medial care, that the thought of shelling out a week's wages to just have somebody LOOK at your teeth, let alone fix them, that we don't bother. I haven't had any dental appointments in over 10 years now and the last one was to pull a tooth and since then friends have helped pull them when they get too messed up. Never had braces as a kid, so my teeth are all over the place. I also used to get into a lot of fights, so there's a few chipped and missing too. Just don't have the cash to fix them, so I live with it, along with everyone else I know who's not got loads of cash. Smoking, drinking sugary tea and the like don't help either.

Getting hold of an NHS dentist is like trying to get blood out of a stone even if you have the money. So many dentists have gone down the private route now that NHS waiting lists have become ridiculous and private healthcare setting you back thousands. Private healthcare, especially with dentistry, has created a two teir system that is getting regressively worse and worse. Telling somebody that you'll only heal them for cash, is like telling somebody you will do them damage if they don't cough up. One's called mugging, the other is called private enterprise. I don't see the difference personally.

Sorry Mar3l, but I think you're going to have to just get more money, or learn to live with less teeth like the rest of us. :(

[Blackburn]

Have a look for Dental scraping tools. I looked at this the other day. They be picked up very cheaply. Made in China stuff. You can get the little mirrors and scrapers. That may help clean, get to look at what is happening in the mouth cavity.

[Bitter Ashes]

Oh. Just remembered. In the UK, if you recieve certain benefits, you can get free NHS dentistry, for pullings, fillings, examinations and other basic work. You can't get false teeth to replace the ones they take out without shelling out a LOT of money, but at least it stops it getting worse I suppose. Still have the issue of the NHS waiting lists caused by privatisation though. Is there a similar programme in the USA with food stamps or something, for medical care?

[ellipsis]

While being poor, homeless and with limited resources?

I know of dental schools. To get as much done by students as I can for half the cost. That's my first choice. It's really bad and getting worse.

Loopholes, tricks, shortcuts etc...

I just had a tooth pulled at the dentist school (in the back so im still sexy) here in SF. I actually really like going there as opposed to a regular dentist, the students are nice, its interesting to see the project. BUT its not free my any means.

As somebody else mentioned, extractions can usually be done for free, with healthy san francisco (freee poor "insurance") that is the case. But this might not be the best treatment.

If the pain is really bad, see if the dental school has an ER and go in and get it taken care of. They will help you figure out how to move forward.

If the pain isn't really bad, you might wanna just make an appointment from a screening and intake.

Solidarity, I am going through the same thing. TEETH SUCK!

[ellipsis]

Oh also you can get FREE cleanings and xrays at the dental schools sometimes. They need patients to work on for their boards/exams so you can get an exam and light cleaning to see if your eligible for the procedure they need to test on. If you are not, free cleaning. I found mine at a different dental school than my current one through the craigslist free section.

[Dr Mindbender]

Ive had 2 teeth pulled out yesterday. :(

I did some research yesterday, and apparently some countries are cheaper than others. Apparently Poland and Bulgaria can provide much cheaper dental costs than the UK or united states. Russia was also mentioned as a good place where you can get cheap titanium (?) fillings?One commentator wrote that their father was going to spend £500 in Poland for a procedure that would cost £4000 in the UK.

So if your financial means are modest but not excessive maybe health tourism would be an option for you and get it done in another country. If I was an impoverished American with rotting teeth I would probably go to Canada, Cuba or Mexico.

Turns out that in Scotland, if your dental costs excede £396 the NHS will pick up the rest of the bill.

[MattShizzle]

If I was an impoverished American with rotting teeth I would probably go to Canada, Cuba or Mexico.



It's illegal for Americans to travel to Cuba.

[Ele'ill]

Thanks for the support everyone- I think knowing you're not the only one is a huge boost here. I'm already missing a tooth (canine) that's broken off. I'm not worried about the cosmetic aspect of this. I don't get extreme pain at all- I get minor swelling and that weird gum pain every once in a while. My worry is that I have a high pain tolerance and it's an infection that's gonna super secretly make it's way into my blood and to my brain. I don't want that to happen and it's embarrassingly my only serious concern.

I'm gonna call the Oregon School of Dentistry (here in Portland) today and see what they can do for me starting with free. I'm gonna see if they can do a check to see if I have a serious infection, if yes I'll get a second opinion at a health clinic that may be able (according to some) to give free antibiotics injections/oral. I'm almost excited to pull my teeth on my own- I've never done that before. Anyone have a DIY guide so I don't seriously hurt myself? I've got the whiskey...

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

In the United States it's incredibly difficult. At best if you're in that condition you may be able to get some sort of free healthcare that will allow you to get emergency work done (beware, in a place like New York even an abscessed tooth in need of a root canal is not considered an "emergency"; the best you can really hope for is a tooth scaling, maybe an amalgam filling or getting a tooth yanked).

I and people close to me have been struggling with this shit for years. Dental schools aren't great and often are still out of the range of what you can afford. Cash payment at a U.S. dentist is often absurdly expensive. In the case of some people I know it was actually cheaper to save up money and fly to another country to get work done than to pay cash to a dentist here (Korean and Thailand are OK, though that ticket is quite expensive; there are other places closer to home).

Sorry I don't know of more options. I don't really think there are many at all.

[AnonymousOne]

Thanks for the support everyone- I think knowing you're not the only one is a huge boost here. I'm already missing a tooth (canine) that's broken off. I'm not worried about the cosmetic aspect of this. I don't get extreme pain at all- I get minor swelling and that weird gum pain every once in a while. My worry is that I have a high pain tolerance and it's an infection that's gonna super secretly make it's way into my blood and to my brain. I don't want that to happen and it's embarrassingly my only serious concern.

I'm gonna call the Oregon School of Dentistry (here in Portland) today and see what they can do for me starting with free. I'm gonna see if they can do a check to see if I have a serious infection, if yes I'll get a second opinion at a health clinic that may be able (according to some) to give free antibiotics injections/oral. I'm almost excited to pull my teeth on my own- I've never done that before. Anyone have a DIY guide so I don't seriously hurt myself? I've got the whiskey...

I seriously hope this can help:

http://www.coalitionclinics.org/dental-resources.html

I really hope your situation improves.

[Ele'ill]

I seriously hope this can help:

http://www.coalitionclinics.org/dental-resources.html

I've been looking at a lot of the multnomah links and it appears that I have options.


[/quote]I really hope your situation improves.[/QUOTE]


Thanks you.

[Kamos]

It's illegal for Americans to travel to Cuba.

If that's the biggest concern...

Though if you listen to me - I wouldn't recommend you to go DIY. You may be in a difficult spot and have very little money, but people who try to medicate themselves get burnt very often, and I'm sure it's worth shelling out the price to get professional treatment rather than risk screwing up big time. Even the docs make mistakes at times, so you'd be risking even more. I'd vote for health tourism instead, or pretty much anything else.

[ellipsis]

yah you don't want the infection spreading to your brain and blood, as my dentist put it, "cavemen used to die from this sort of infection."

I am glad I am not the only one with abscessed teeth on the forum. much love

[Bitter Ashes]

I'm almost excited to pull my teeth on my own- I've never done that before. Anyone have a DIY guide so I don't seriously hurt myself? I've got the whiskey...

Excited isn't the word I'd use lol. It HURTS and bleeds loads. Pair of pliers, tranquillisers and a fucktonne of gauze and anti-septic. It doesn't take much imagination, but it does require a very good friendship because teeth, even when rotten, do not come out without a fight and you will be making a LOT of noise.

I've heard stories of people tieing a piece of string to the tooth and then tieing the other end to a door handle, then slamming the door, but I've dismissed this as an urban legend.

One thing I've got to say for DIY jobs is that it makes you anal about brushing your teeth in a whole new way. Mainly because you really don't want to have to go through the pulling again.

[MattShizzle]

The "string and doorknob" idea's been around a long time - at least back to movies/cartoons from 1930s.

[-marx-]

I'm in a similar situation. I need dental work but here in AU unless you're well off or in need of emergency dental work (often brutally just removing the tooth rather than fixing it) or have private health cover (I don't know anyone who can afford this and its not worth it anyways when public health care is somewhat decent) you have to pay out your ass yourself. There's no alternative.
Australia has a decent Medicare system but it totally neglects dental.

We aren't far behind the British as far as teeth goes in my opinion*. :D


*stereotypical cliche.

[Dr Mindbender]

Excited isn't the word I'd use lol. It HURTS and bleeds loads. Pair of pliers, tranquillisers and a fucktonne of gauze and anti-septic. It doesn't take much imagination, but it does require a very good friendship because teeth, even when rotten, do not come out without a fight and you will be making a LOT of noise.



Frankly the procedure for getting teeth out with a qualified dentist is far from a doddle either. Especially if youre not getting sedated. I had about 3 needles put into the tender parts of my gum. Then the dentist snaps the tooth inside the socket with a drill and a metal implement. Its fucking horrific.

[danyboy27]

In canada you can get free dental care if its obvious it threaten your life.

i know the U.S have some medicaid clinics for the needy. Perhaps if you go there and appear to be in terrible pain they will remove the faulty tooth

[danyboy27]

dont try to remove your tooth dont do that.

You dont have any idea of how your roots have developed, you might just make yourself in a bad situation if your roots are all twisted inside your jaws.


The roots of my wisdom tooth where so much interewined within my jaws it took to the dentist an electric saw to cut it in 4 little fucking parts.

Unless you clearly know that your roots are okay, dont fucking do that.

[mykittyhasaboner]

...it was actually cheaper to save up money and fly to another country to get work done than to pay cash to a dentist here..

this.

i once payed over $600 cash to get ONE wisdom tooth pulled, a procedure which took less than 20 minutes, and the follow up medicine was not included..... i was in more pain over that fucking sum of money rather than my jaw aching for days.....

luckily for me im traveling somehwere cheaper (serbia), and can get dental treatment there, which i will do for a cavity that iv'e had for a while but cant get it filled in the US because of the money. i would definitely recommend some type of medical tourism. again, try Cuba which is probably the best and most exciting option, or Mexico if you cant afford a flight. Give Canada a shot as well.

good luck to you and you and your teeth Mari3l.

[t.shonku]

The place where I live the Dentists are quacks they do more harm than good !

Good yet cheap dentists are hard to find !

Be very selective while trying for a dentist take your time because if you don't you will end up in world of pain !


AVOID TAKING PAIN KILLERS, MOST QUACKS WOULD RECOMMEND YOU TO TAKE PAIN KILLERS BUT YOU STAY AWAY FROM THEM ONLY USE THEM AS LAST RESORT , IF YOU MUST , TAKE RANTADINE HYDROCHLORIDE TO PREVENT ACID REFLUXING , BUT IF YOUR PAIN IS NOT THAT MUCH YET BOTHERSOME WASH YOUR MOUTH WITH DICLOFENAC( don't swallow it), LAST AND NOT THE LEAST WASH YOUR MOUTH WITH WARM SALTED WATER AFTER EVERY MEAL !


STAY AWAY FROM QUACKS




mykittyhasaboner (http://www.revleft.com/vb/member.php?u=15799)

this.

i once payed over $600 cash to get ONE wisdom tooth pulled, a procedure which took less than 20 minutes, and the follow up medicine was not included..... i was in more pain over that fucking sum of money rather than my jaw aching for days.....

luckily for me im traveling somehwere cheaper (serbia), and can get dental treatment there, which i will do for a cavity that iv'e had for a while but cant get it filled in the US because of the money. i would definitely recommend some type of medical tourism. again, try Cuba which is probably the best and most exciting option, or Mexico if you cant afford a flight. Give Canada a shot as well.

good luck to you and you and your teeth Mari3l. Hey nice hearing your story ! Cuba is a good option.


I have a suggestion if you all don't misunderstand me that is (I am not trying to be bias here) but Chinese Dentists are good at least that is what I have heard from my friend he got his wisdom tooth removed at very cheap rate and the whole surgery was a success.

[Ele'ill]

Thanks again for the replies here- I don't think medical tourism is an option as I don't have 600 dollars for a one way ticket to a country that's still going to cost money to have the teeth looked at pulled etc.. That might add up to 2k instead of 4k but I don't have either :lol:

I liked the idea of DIY tooth removal until friends said no we're not doing that (jerks) and compared it to the wild west- which is what I was thinking with a 3/4 bottle of whiskey some good friends and a sound proof recording booth but they reminded me that while that era was more DIY rough and rugged a lot of people died of infection- And the issue mentioned regarding the roots around the jaw AND that my one tooth is sheared off at the gumline which would mean I'd have to dig in there with a knife- without ANY medical coverage could likely send me to the hospital anyways. I'm not that desperate yet. If I was i constant pain (that horrible toothache pain) I'd have already taken the teeth out ala 'Castaway'.


Painkillers are the only bonus here that I'm looking forward to. Shame I couldn't get those first. Enough said here.

[danyboy27]

has i said, just go to a medicare clinic and feign pain, real big fucking pain, they will remove it for you, or at least that what a canadian hospital would do.

you could also i guess go to the church and beg help to the priest, who know he might give you some money or know someone.

another thing you could do is to rob a bank for 1 dollars but dont do it until you are near death

[-marx-]

To get all my dental work done it's probably cheaper to fly (return) to Thailand, get it done and come back than go to an AU dentist for all of it. :(

There's a dental program here for people with certain illnesses or people that take certain medications which offers thousands of dollars worth (either 4 or 8 grand, I forget which) of dental for nothing. I'm going to try and get my Doctor to get me authorized for that as he has mentioned it before...hinting that I'm eligible due to my meds. I fucking hope so!!!

[Dr Mindbender]

Thanks again for the replies here- I don't think medical tourism is an option as I don't have 600 dollars for a one way ticket to a country that's still going to cost money to have the teeth looked at pulled etc.. That might add up to 2k instead of 4k but I don't have either :lol:


Is there no such thing as no frills flights in the US? I find that hard to believe. In the UK it is possible to fly to mainland Europe one way for the equivalent of $40.

I would just like to reiterate, DIY treatment is an extremely foolish thing to do. There may be underlying things which create more problems, like potential for blood loss or infection. You may also damage whatever teeth you have left. You wouldnt do a DIY amputation why should your teeth be different? I had to see a SPECIALIST surgical dentist just to have my wisdom tooth extracted. For some reason a regular run of the mill dentist wasnt qualified for the job.

Anyway, regarding your predicament get a shitload of painkiilers (i recommend co-codamol these are the strongest painkillers you can get without prescription) jump in a car and keep driving south until you can get to a country where you can afford the dental costs.

[ellipsis]

Is there no such thing as no frills flights in the US? I find that hard to believe. In the UK it is possible to fly to mainland Europe one way for the equivalent of $40.

OP is in oregon last I knew, Mexico is probably like 25 hours or more of driving. that is much further away then the UK and europe.

[Dr Mindbender]

Mexico is probably like 25 hours or more of driving.
and its probably about 2 hours by plane.

Moreover, if i was in unbearable pain or in danger of getting that way I'd happily drive over a day for relief. Convenient excuse for a road trip if nothing else.

To each their own i guess.



that is much further away then the UK and europe.
Depends where you start off from. Its the same as saying the distance is much farther away than between Texas and Mexico. The UK doesn't begin and end at London you know. If you started off from Northern Scotland, or Northern Ireland where I am the distance (or at least the travel time) would easily be comparable.

[-marx-]

I was just in a shit load of pain for the past week and a bit, I took antibiotics (after various pain killers didn't help much) and the pains gone so it seemed my tooth was infected. Now it should give me time to get something organized. Australian dental is so poor I'm lost for words...:(

[Dr Mindbender]

I was just in a shit load of pain for the past week and a bit, I took antibiotics (after various pain killers didn't help much) and the pains gone so it seemed my tooth was infected. Now it should give me time to get something organized. Australian dental is so poor I'm lost for words...:(
doesnt seem to get much better anywhere else in the so called 'developed' world, especially if you are a low income worker.

[-marx-]

The whole western world is dental-fucked! :D