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What are my options if I can't afford a dentist? (lemmy.dbzer0.com)

submitted 7 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I got a quote at the dentist that my mouth would cost like 20k to fix (it's really bad, every generation of my family before me has no teeth). I really just want to not look like the way I do when I smile, as I'm missing a front tooth. I also have a recurring infection that I keep delaying at the ER because Medicaid covers the antibiotics but I can't actually afford the dentist. I've tried looking for dental schools but in my area there isn't a program that offers the free thing if you're a test dummy for a student. I'm not sure what to do and my worry is that if the infection gets bad enough I'll just have to accept early death due to lack of care. In the USA if it's not obvious enough already.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (2 children)

You could die from a mouth/tooth infection, so maybe get quotes on just that particular problem to be fixed.

I know it's not as simple as "just get care" but it kinda is "get care or risk death."

Dental and orthodontic schools probably have a need for "hard cases" so widen your search for that. Another good term to look for is "sliding scale" fees.

Also, yeah, Mexico has some good doctors and dentists. There are also some frauds / psuedoscientists / low quality options so do your research and have someone with medical or dental experience to double check that the doctor or dentist you choose in Mexico is legit and their marketing materials don't raise red flags.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Recurring infection might be from physical but stable cause, e.g pericoronitis from partially erupted wisdom tooth. So infections can be cleared up with antibiotics and don't progress if they're stopped in time. In general yeah, infections in your head are not good and you're rolling the dice.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Sliding scale completely slipped my mind here somehow, thank you. Yes, my priority here is definitely getting the abscess sorted out before all else just to be safe.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

oh shit if it's a recurring abscess get that drained ASAP. good luck