Grfle.

[hummingwolf]

Would any of the local people out there have any idea how someone could get dental care with no money or dental insurance at all? My teeth have needed a professional cleaning for quite a while, and there's also this matter of the filling that's gone missing.

Nothing really hurts, but that could change quickly and I rather like being able to chew my food.

Comments

[fearthainnlent.livejournal.com]

Is there a Dental Hygenist's School in your area?

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

I don't know; I'm hoping someone can tell me. There is a dental school in Baltimore, but that's too far for me to get to on my own.

[jennixen.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

Don't I know it.

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

::hugs back::

[contrariety.livejournal.com]

As above, my mother used to go to the local dental college (at SF State in her case) when she was uninsured, where essentially you let dentists in training train on you under supervision. Unfortunately, I don't remember whether that was actually free or merely lower in cost, but it would be worth checking out whether a local college does that.

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

I don't know if there are any dental schools near me; that's one thing I hope someone can help me find out. There's a University of Maryland clinic up in Baltimore, but I can't get to anyplace outside of the DC area on my own. If there's someplace in DC or in the DC suburbs, I don't know about it. Am trying various Google searches now, but my Google-fu is failing me this morning.

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Aaand even if I could get up to Baltimore, their dental school clinic does charge money. Which really doesn't help me.

[rhiannasilel.livejournal.com]

The dental school has a sliding scale, so you might fall into the "free" category. It'd be worth talking to them. Unfortunately, you're right, it is in Baltimore. I don't know of anything in DC proper. I might be able to get you up there, but it's going to be hard with me going Monday through Friday soon and the school only being open Monday through Friday. Failing that, there's the MARC and the bus system once you get down town.

[dcjensen.livejournal.com]

Have you ever had a local dentist that is still in practce near you? If you talk to the right people, many dentists reserve a certain amount of business for disadvantaged customers. Sometimes it's a matter of getting beyond the first layer of people (Like any bureaucracy, I guess).

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I remember pretty much where my old dentist's office was, but am having trouble with the name. Will have to go through my old files & see if I've still got a number for them.

[nalidoll.livejournal.com]

If you can find someone to take you to a dental school, find out *what* they would charge. If it is low enough, we can always take up a collection. (I know you hate that, but teeth are kind of important. I know - I am trying to get into the local mission program myself. So hushface and just find out what/if they would charge you.)

Call a bunch of local dentists, too. Tell them your situation. Maybe one of them needs to do some community work for good karma or something. They aren't as strictly controlled by business offices as doctors, so there is more of a chance. Try to talk to the actual dentist, though, and not just someone in the office. Hel, offer to do a computer graphic or two for them in exchange, just as a show of goodwill. I've known a couple people (in different states) who got a dentist to work for trade.