Honest working person just plain gets screwed over

[neysa59]

You know I am so fed up I feel an absolute need to complain somewheres so here I am. So whats my problem. I have very very bad teeth. They are literally falling out of my mouth. They are so loose I can not even really brush them well. Anything I eat has to be soft food and not need to be chewed, only swallowed. I only have mainly the front teeth, 16 in total. Rest were pulled years ago because of basically a medical problem that is another long story. So I have now spent 2 solid weeks every day trying to get financing, credit card, dental financing anything I can think of. My credit rating isn't actually bad I just have no credit history so that makes it bad so absolutely no luck there. I have called just about every dentist there is in town. Not any of them are willing to work with a patient so I can get this done. The only thing a couple of them will do is a couple of payments. 2/3 by time work is done last third a month later. If i had that kind of money on hand I wouldn't have this problem. I did find a dentist who charged me $41 to come in and get an estimate. All 16 teeth need pulled and it will cost $1700.00 to do it. Oh I know there is the kelowna gospel mission dental place. Yeah if I quit my job go live on the streets and be homeless they will help me. I ain't looking for a stupid handout. I just was looking for a dentist who would be willing to work with me to make like payment for no more than 6 months so I could get this done. The denture part of my bill (yes I have to get full dentures) is gonna be taken care of by a relative to help me out ( they can not afford to do both bills).
So basically I just do not understand. If you are a honest, hard working person who is not rich you are literally screwed. No one cares. Unless you have lots of money you are just $$## out of luck. You would think there would be at least a couple of dentist out there who do care about the average person and would be willing to work with them, but I guess that is not the case. Oh and to make matters worse that dentist I saw said my mouth was also infected. Hell maybe if I'm lucky the infection will get bad enough to go to hospital, make them pull the teeth courtesy of bc medical. But nope knowing how my luck is going when the infection gets that bad to go to hospital it will be too late and I will die. Well guess I wouldn't have to worry about my teeth anymore lol. I just give up now. No hope, exhausted every resource. Just have to live with it and the way things are. I'm not rich, just average working person who has no recourse anymore.
Well I feel a little bit better, I got to complain a little bit. I know it won't get me anywheres but at least I do feel marginally better. Sorry so long but I will stop now

[NAB]

Yes, adequate dental care in BC is becoming a real expensive horror story these days, not to mention how expensive many even basic procedures have become. And even if you can find a dentist who is accepting new patients, they don't seem particularly enthused about dealing with you if you are not covered by a well funded private dental plan (social assistance recipients excluded from that observation however).

An aquaintance of mine without a dental plan has developed some minor problems in comparison to yours requiring about $2000.00 worth of work based on local quotations. He is going to Mexico this fall and will get the work done there at significantly lower cost.

For myself, after a lengthy search finding a local dentist who would take a look and Xrays (and determined two teeth that had 40 plus year old massive fillings that had broken down would have to be extracted), he referred me to a dental surgery. After all was said and done it took almost 6 months and 3 more appointments travelling to another city, about 5 - 10 minutes for the surgeon to do the job after an assistant prepped me, and I was out of pocket almost $800.00 for it all (the actual extractions cost roughly half of that total expense).

Oh well, I was almost healed up enough in time to at least partially enjoy Christmas dinner (the mashed potatoes, mushy peas, and gravy part) :-(

If I were you, I would pay a visit to a medical doctor and get the situation checked out.

Nab

[Salamander420]

You know I am so fed up I feel an absolute need to complain somewheres so here I am. So whats my problem. I have very very bad teeth. They are literally falling out of my mouth. They are so loose I can not even really brush them well. Anything I eat has to be soft food and not need to be chewed, only swallowed. I only have mainly the front teeth, 16 in total. Rest were pulled years ago because of basically a medical problem that is another long story. So I have now spent 2 solid weeks every day trying to get financing, credit card, dental financing anything I can think of. My credit rating isn't actually bad I just have no credit history so that makes it bad so absolutely no luck there. I have called just about every dentist there is in town. Not any of them are willing to work with a patient so I can get this done. The only thing a couple of them will do is a couple of payments. 2/3 by time work is done last third a month later. If i had that kind of money on hand I wouldn't have this problem. I did find a dentist who charged me $41 to come in and get an estimate. All 16 teeth need pulled and it will cost $1700.00 to do it. Oh I know there is the kelowna gospel mission dental place. Yeah if I quit my job go live on the streets and be homeless they will help me. I ain't looking for a stupid handout. I just was looking for a dentist who would be willing to work with me to make like payment for no more than 6 months so I could get this done. The denture part of my bill (yes I have to get full dentures) is gonna be taken care of by a relative to help me out ( they can not afford to do both bills).
So basically I just do not understand. If you are a honest, hard working person who is not rich you are literally screwed. No one cares. Unless you have lots of money you are just $$## out of luck. You would think there would be at least a couple of dentist out there who do care about the average person and would be willing to work with them, but I guess that is not the case. Oh and to make matters worse that dentist I saw said my mouth was also infected. Hell maybe if I'm lucky the infection will get bad enough to go to hospital, make them pull the teeth courtesy of bc medical. But nope knowing how my luck is going when the infection gets that bad to go to hospital it will be too late and I will die. Well guess I wouldn't have to worry about my teeth anymore lol. I just give up now. No hope, exhausted every resource. Just have to live with it and the way things are. I'm not rich, just average working person who has no recourse anymore.
Well I feel a little bit better, I got to complain a little bit. I know it won't get me anywheres but at least I do feel marginally better. Sorry so long but I will stop now

If you have bc medical they will pull your teeth if it is to relieve pain and suffering.You have to go to the emergency ward..Im in the same boat as you and was shocked with some of the dentists in town.I did however manage to get my work started on atleast.

[WhatThe]

I had three wisdom teeth pulled covered by bc medical, this was about 10 years ago. Definitly dig deeper, there's probably a way to finagle. Checking with a doctor is good advice.

[Advocate]

I think this might be helpful if you haven't seen it yet:

http://mydentistvancouver.com/vancouver ... what-to-do

and this one:

http://www.bcdental.org/Find_a_Dentist/ ... inics.aspx


Dental School Clinics are much less costly, but you might have a wait to get in.

here are more sites fyi:

http://www.eia.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/2005/dental.htm

For government workers:

http://www.ruralbc.gov.bc.ca/workers_tr ... assist.htm


http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/employment/in ... costs.html

http://www.eia.gov.bc.ca/PROGRAMS/other.htm

If you're unemployed:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 654AA4n8sW

http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:Aa ... clnk&gl=ca

Your family doctor can help you access services and give you direction and referrals.

[neysa59]

Thanks for all the info given. Unfortunately I am not able to get social assistance. One web site there is for people who live in vancouver. The local place for low cost dental in kelowna will only help if you are homeless. Unfortunately I do work full time so I am not homeless or jobless so none of them can help me. I truly wish they would. It would be just plain nice if there were dentists here in the area who were willing to let me make monthly payments for like only six months. Hell I would give post dated checks and everything they would need to make sure they would get there money but basically they want the money upfront. In six months time I guess it will be cheaper cause at least 6 more teeth will probably fall out on there own. Oh and also bc medical only covers wisdom teeth that need to be pulled in the hospital, so no help there either. Guess its just a fact of my life, being screwed and not even enjoying it lol.

[gardengirl]

You know I am so fed up I feel an absolute need to complain somewheres so here I am. So whats my problem.
I have very very bad teeth. They are literally falling out of my mouth.
They are so loose I can not even really brush them well. Anything I eat has to be soft food and not need to be chewed, only swallowed. I only have mainly the front teeth, 16 in total. Rest were pulled years ago because of basically a medical problem that is another long story.

So I have now spent 2 solid weeks every day trying to get financing, credit card, dental financing anything I can think of. My credit rating isn't actually bad I just have no credit history so that makes it bad so absolutely no luck there. I have called just about every dentist there is in town. Not any of them are willing to work with a patient so I can get this done. The only thing a couple of them will do is a couple of payments. 2/3 by time work is done last third a month later. If i had that kind of money on hand I wouldn't have this problem. I did find a dentist who charged me $41 to come in and get an estimate. All 16 teeth need pulled and it will cost $1700.00 to do it.

Oh I know there is the kelowna gospel mission dental place. Yeah if I quit my job go live on the streets and be homeless they will help me. I ain't looking for a stupid handout.

I just was looking for a dentist who would be willing to work with me to make like payment for no more than 6 months so I could get this done. The denture part of my bill (yes I have to get full dentures) is gonna be taken care of by a relative to help me out ( they can not afford to do both bills).
So basically I just do not understand. If you are a honest, hard working person who is not rich you are literally screwed. No one cares.

Unless you have lots of money you are just $$## out of luck. You would think there would be at least a couple of dentist out there who do care about the average person and would be willing to work with them, but I guess that is not the case.

Oh and to make matters worse that dentist I saw said my mouth was also infected. Hell maybe if I'm lucky the infection will get bad enough to go to hospital, make them pull the teeth courtesy of bc medical. But nope knowing how my luck is going when the infection gets that bad to go to hospital it will be too late and I will die. Well guess I wouldn't have to worry about my teeth anymore lol. I just give up now. No hope, exhausted every resource. Just have to live with it and the way things are.
I'm not rich, just average working person who has no recourse anymore.
Well I feel a little bit better, I got to complain a little bit. I know it won't get me anywheres but at least I do feel marginally better. Sorry so long but I will stop now

So who is it that is screwing you over? Who caused your teeth to be in the condition that they are?
You are complaining about Dentists not wanting to help you, but it appears that they have offered options.

The average, hard working person does not let their teeth deteriorate to the point that they are literally falling out of their mouth. There is more to this than you are telling us. You have alluded to a medical condition which may have caused this condition, if this is so, there should be something which BC Med can cover.

[NAB]

Thanks for all the info given. Unfortunately I am not able to get social assistance. One web site there is for people who live in vancouver. The local place for low cost dental in kelowna will only help if you are homeless. Unfortunately I do work full time so I am not homeless or jobless so none of them can help me. I truly wish they would. It would be just plain nice if there were dentists here in the area who were willing to let me make monthly payments for like only six months. Hell I would give post dated checks and everything they would need to make sure they would get there money but basically they want the money upfront. In six months time I guess it will be cheaper cause at least 6 more teeth will probably fall out on there own. Oh and also bc medical only covers wisdom teeth that need to be pulled in the hospital, so no help there either. Guess its just a fact of my life, being screwed and not even enjoying it lol.

Well neysa59, you gave been given some ideas as to options/alternatives, but you seem locked in on wanting some local dentist to give you credit and do the work/provide a service up front with no guarantee of payment and no collateral. It would be nice of course, but unfortunately is not the way the world works.

Nab

[Advocate]

Thanks for all the info given. Unfortunately I am not able to get social assistance. One web site there is for people who live in vancouver. The local place for low cost dental in kelowna will only help if you are homeless. Unfortunately I do work full time so I am not homeless or jobless so none of them can help me. I truly wish they would. It would be just plain nice if there were dentists here in the area who were willing to let me make monthly payments for like only six months. Hell I would give post dated checks and everything they would need to make sure they would get there money but basically they want the money upfront. In six months time I guess it will be cheaper cause at least 6 more teeth will probably fall out on there own. Oh and also bc medical only covers wisdom teeth that need to be pulled in the hospital, so no help there either. Guess its just a fact of my life, being screwed and not even enjoying it lol.

Most dentists will set up payment plans if you are a long-time patient. New dentists will as well, after doing a credit check. You can ask your bank for a loan or a line of credit extension, and pay that way. My first recommendation is the University Student Dentists. Other than that,if you are planning a vacation, Thailand is a good place to get dental work done, for extensive work, your trip would pay for itself.

[gardengirl]

The quote you got was for $1700 to extract 16 teeth. That is a bit over $100 a tooth.
Why not pay as you go? Get the worst teeth taken out, then the rest as you can afford it.
How about doing the uppers first? Get those extractions, then an immediate denture.
Do the lower extractions later, after the top has healed up.

Will your employer give you a draw on your wages? Why not set up a payment plan with him over 6 months? If we say he keeps $200 a month from your paycheque, that would cover it. Since your employer knows you, it would seem more likely that he would extend credit to you.

Have you spoken to your medical doctor? It used to be that if you had the extractions done at the hospital under general anaesthesia, BC Med would pay for it.

[I Think]

Too bad you can't get down to Mexico, there are some really good dentists just south of Yuma. Quite a few of them trained in Europe, and are very well equipped.

But you are not being screwed over, you really need an attitude adjustment.

As long as you blame someone/something for what is happening to you, you are and will remain a victim.
Once you take full responsibility for who and what you are, then you have started on the road to change.

[neysa59]

OK you want the story here it is to make it short. When I was about 19 I had a tooth that was bothering me. Our family dentist was on vacation so had to go to another one. Well he literally screwed up bigtime. He filled a tooth with an infection in it which caused some major problems. I had to go back to my family dentist and it took over 3 months of going every single week to fix what that dentist did to me. Because of it my family dentist told me that I would be extremely lucky if I had any teeth left by the time I was 30 years old. I am 49 now. Yeah maybe that dentist could have been sued for malpractice but also realize how long ago that was. People just didn't do that. Anyways I am sorta lucky I guess. My teeth did last longer than originally thought. So no I am not alluding to a medical condition. Actually when I had my molars pulled because they had become shot about 15 years ago I had wanted them all pulled then and get the dentures but my dentist then said no need to do that now cause the front ones were ok so far. Serves me right I had dental then so I guess I shouldn't have listened to the dentist and done what I wanted so yeah that part is my fault but that is in the past and I am in the present.
Now to the next issue. I am not locked into anything. I can not afford to drive to vancouver and go and have this done. Heck I don't even think my car would make those mountains anyways. I do not have that many alternatives at all. I wish I did. I have tried calling everyone I can think of, been on the internet trying to find anything with no avail. Credit is the problem. I have tried bank loans and such. I don't have bad credit I just have no credit history so no bank, credit card company of financial institutiion will help. Seems like bad credit gets you farther then no credit. Believe me I have tried a whole lot of places to try and get help financially. Doing a little work at a time is for the most part not an option. The teeth I have left are front ones. Uppers and lower ones are all loose. Believe me if I could have just like the one done then move on to the next I would. Also if I do that the dentures will cost a lot more too. It cost me less if I do this all at once.
The employer thing was part of the option. That is how I am getting my dentures. That is why that part is not a worry for me now. Its the actually extractions that is my problem now.
Now on to the one that is really just making me madder and madder everytime I read it. I am not saying I am being screwed over. I do not need a attitude adjustment either. I am very frustrated that there seems to be no dentist in town that is willing to work with anyone at all. I am willing to do whatever it takes to make the dentist be assured that he will get his money for pulling my teeth. It just doesn't seem to be right that all they want is to get there money and not help anyone out that really needs it. It is very unbelievable that if I quit my job and go live on the streets and be homeless they will help me then. That does not seem right at all. Oh and the dentist that actually do work with this gospel mission centre here in kelowna. You would really think since they do work there once a month for free for the homeless that they would be willing to work with average working people but they definitely do not. Oh and also yeah it would be nice if I could go to mexico to get the work done. But hey did you listen at all. I am an average working person. I AM NO RICH. If I could affort to go there then I think I could go and get the work done here without any help. Yeah sorry you just really really *bleep* me off. I have been daily trying to find a solution or some way to get this done for almost 3 weeks solid, being on phone, internet and physically going to places. I have been doing everything I can think of. I guess I was just hoping that maybe someone had an idea that I hadn't already tried. So yeah Squire Nibs I am taking responsibility for all this, I am trying to get it taken care of but you know what when every door gets slammed in your face i see now why there are so many homeless people out there. And I am not blaming anyone for my troubles, I would like to fix my troubles. Your lucky I can't swear in here or you would hear and mouthful of it I am so mad right now. So with that I am done.
Everyone else I do thank you for your suggestions and yes I am looking at all of them to see if there is something I can do with then and I am sorry for my rant a minute ago.

[I Think]

I think you will find that if your doctor, or the ER at the hospital determine that your teeth are negatively impacting your health, they will prescribe treatment covered under BC's illustrious health care program. At least it used to be that way.

[neysa59]

I guess one thing I should have also mentioned here is that I am orignally from the states. I had married my husband and moved here about 12 years ago. We are separated now so he is no help. But I recently got my permanent residency not too long ago so I will have my bc medical by the beginning of October. If I haven't been able to resolve my problem with the teeth by then I will be going to the Er and doing everything I can do to get this done. Unfortunately according to bc medical website they say the only teeth they will pay for in hospital for extraction is wisdom teeth only cause I guess any other teeth can be done by a dentist. But as I said if I have to when I get my card I will be trying whatever I can do get them to do it. Here is to hoping that I don't have to do that because I really don't mind paying for this myself. Not looking for the government or anyone else to pay for this for me. I just can't pay for it all up front.

[NAB]

I don't know if I have followed your status accurately, but if I have and you are merely awaiting the issuance of your CareCard as a result of your qualification and application,,, ...here’s something that may help expidite your situation if it is deemed a serious enough medical condition...

From: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/faqas.html

"If someone has received emergency medical care, while waiting to receive a CareCard, what should they do?

If you are waiting for a Personal Health Number and had a need or currently need urgent medical attention, then you should contact Health Insurance BC to inform them of the urgency so arrangements can be made for expediting processing of your CareCard application."

The contact route given is:

http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/contacts.html