For want of a tooth...

[trinityofone]

Thank you, everyone, for all the thoughtful advice you gave me yesterday. It was really appreciated, and empowering, and I was starting to feel brave and ready to do something.

Then I went to my second dentist appointment this morning.

The two cavities are worse than they thought. At the very least, I need root canals; at worst, the teeth are going to have to be replaced. Months of work are going to be involved, and thousands of dollars.

So...that's it. I can't quit. Because of my fucking teeth, I have to stay at this job that I hate.

I just...y'know, if this were a novel, this would be the kind of plot twist that would really piss me off. You can change your life but what's stopping you is DENTISTRY? What bullshit is this?

Anyway. I'm back at the office now with temporary fillings, puffy chipmunk cheeks, and a head woozy from Novocain, which is also probably the only thing that's keeping me from smashing stuff. I know that this is not a tragedy; this is an inconvenience, an annoyance. I'm not actually ill, so it could be a lot worse; with my insurance and those savings I was talking about, I will even be able to afford this (I think), although all that fallback money is going to be gone. It could be so much worse.

But I'm furious at myself, and I guess at the world? At TPTB? Fate? Way to give me a big old FU, guys; I think I got the message.

So, I guess it's back to work.

Sigh.

Comments

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I think the person most deserving of a punch right now is me. Or, actually, the United States and our shitty health policy—if I'd gotten this treated earlier, it wouldn't be a problem; but I didn't get it treated earlier, because I had no insurance and it was too expensive.

Right. I should move to Canada.

[abbylee]

It won't make you feel any better, but dental coverage isn't part of Canada's health plan. It's significantly cheaper here, but you'd still have to pay out of pocket or have insurance. The only way the government will pay for dental work is if you're covered through First Nations (FNIHB/Indian Affairs) or through Social Assistance (SAHS). Neither pays the full fees, but the dentists I've worked with have always waved the remaining fees for covered procedures. And while FNHIB covers most things, the coverage for SAHS patients is so woefully inadequate that even patients who come in regularly need to be preauthorized to get a complete cleaning.

It's easy to let things get out of hand, if only because things can get complicated fast. The best suggestion I can offer is to see your dentist regularly, not only to help prevent further problems, but also so that if they do happen, you have the kind of relationship where making a payment plan is easier. I think we even had one patient who found it easier to budget if she put down a certain amount every month, and then when she came in for her cleanings she only had to pay the balance.

Did you tell your dentist and his receptionist about your insurance problems? I know it wasn't always possible in our office, but we did try to fit those patients in earlier, and would always put them on a waiting list.

::hugs::

[abbylee]

(And of course that doesn't really help if you're having implants done, which are ridiculously expensive and awesome and require recovery time. But might help speed things up if you're just doing endo and crowns.)

(more ::hugs::)