Because we have not had extended health insurance and because I've bee pregnant, I have been living with some tooth pain for over a year now (maybe longer). I was in so much pain last night and this morning that I finally called for an emergency appointment at a clinic in a town a half hour away.
To do this meant that I had to figure out child care and transportation. I had to use the last of my grocery money to get enough gas to go. We are tight right now and dh doesn't get any more money until next week. My friend Tammy-Lee took the kids and offered to drive if I needed help after my appointment.
So I drop off the kids and get to my appointment. I walk in and she says, I'll get you to fill out this form. Do you have dental coverage? I say no. She says, Well then we'll need payment today. She goes on to explain that they require payment the day services are rendered and with the check up and x-ray it would be $xx.00. Well, I had the 6 dollars in my purse. Not quite enough. So I told her, I guess I can't see the dentist then. She shrugged her shoulders and stepped back and away. I left, tears brimming. I called Tammy-Lee and Jason.
I felt like I wasted the clinic's time, my time, Tammy-Lee's time (even though she says I didn't) and I bothered J at work. And I'm no closer to a solution. I have OTC meds I can take and a few other tricks to try to keep the pain at bay until I can see someone.
The only reason I made the appointment in the neighboring community was because our local office wasn't open today. So I'll give them a call on Monday or go in and see if they can work with us on payment and such. I'm so tired of being in pain and wore out. I don't plan to go back to that clinic 30 minutes away. I mean, I won't say never, but they did not make a good impression.
I should have taken all 5 of my kids and dragged them in there too. I should have stuck up for myself a little more and asked more questions and pushed and discussed a little more. I didn't. They have every right to have the policies they have. And. I hurt and I'm emotional and the last thing I wanted to do was burst into tears in front of the receptionists and other clients.
I could have caused a big scene, but that's not me.
I just went to my bus and cried. And I cried all the way home. But not necessarily about the pain in my teeth. When I was in the bus, I went around closing some of the windows and smashed my thumb in one. I think I could possibly loose the nail! Between the three issues (teeth, clinic and thumb) I am a wreck.
But these days it doesn't take much.
Just when you think things are starting to look up.
SIGH
Striving to learn and live God's purposes,
7 comments:
HUGS!!!! Have you tried putting a clove near the tooth that is causing pain?? I know it works for absessed teeth...I wish there was something I could do for you! you could eat lots of celery maybe as it's an analgesic?! or chew on onions? sounds nasty, but whatever works, right?? I'm going to check out what works for teeth pain. I'll email you later.
LD
Oh :( That's no good! I hate the dentist and the cost and everything that goes with them.
Lisa
Ok, I am going to sound like a stupid American here but I thought that Canada had socialized medicine? As in, you don't have to have insurance? Or does that only apply to medical and not dental?
Just a guess here, but I would think that you may have an infection going on where you have the dental pain. If that is the case, you may can get a regular dr to give you some antibiotics. The dentist probably won't do anything until the infection is cleared up anyway.
It really does sound like an awful day! I hope you can get some help soon.
We do have socialized medicine but only to a point. Dental is not included unless you buy extended coverage. Ambulance is not covered; Chiropractic care is not covered. We have to pay for private rooms in the hospital. If I go to the doctor's office / clinic I don't have to pay. Any prescriptions I have to pay for unless I have extended that covers that.
A regular doctor will not look at me if it's a dental problem. :( We tried that with my DH. The dentist can give me a prescription but a doctor wouldn't.
And so I take my OTC meds and Anbesol until at least Monday.
Sorry to hear about that. Hope things will work out on Monday. When Hubby was out of a job earlier in the year and I was pregnant, we were really worried about the insurance too. We did cancel our dental appointment that we had, and actually need to make one soon. And luckily, the insurance worked out for us and Hubby has a great job now. Well, take care of yourself as much as you can.
how'd it go today, Ladonna?
I hope good...
i remember going to the dentist in fear and trembling, not knowing how much coverage we had and how much i'd have to pay, and knowing it would make meat out of the question for weeks afterwards... sigh... and for the DENTIST! not fun!
(hugs)
s
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