Forget health care, we need dental reform

By Staff
Scot Beard
Columnist
For most of my life I have been fortunate enough to have health insurance.
I have also been relatively lucky enough to not have to use it much.
Sure there is the occasional cold that I cannot shake or a really bad cut that needs to be stitched up, but I doubt I have more than three or four claims filed in a given year — that includes medications.
I have known people who have not been so lucky.
I know people who have not had insurance and were forced to pay outrageous prices for medical services while people with insurance paid far less.
While I find it strange that people who cannot afford insurance coverage pay several times more than people who do have insurance, it is the way the system works.
I do feel that the health coverage provided in this country is great — trust me, if I have a problem with my liver, I am going to the local hospital, not a third-world country.
As good as this service is, there are people who want to change it. There has been an argument in Congress for the past year about health care reform, and neither side has done anything more constructive than showing the American public how broken the system in Washington really is.
But I don’t think the real issue is with health care. I think it is with dental coverage.
While I have had health insurance for most of my life, I did not have dental coverage until about three years ago.
While I never blatantly disregarded my teeth, getting to the dentist twice a year for a cleaning was not a big priority — after all, I clean my teeth everyday with a handy little invention called a toothbrush.
Once I had dental coverage, the procedures became a little more affordable, and I became a regular at the dentist’s office.
Typically it isn’t bad. I schedule an appointment and go to the office. They take care of business and, for the most part, the procedure is covered by my insurance.
Last week I had my first procedure that required out-of-pocket expense — almost $300.
The procedure went smoothly and when I awoke - pain free and not the least bit groggy — I asked the assistant if I could have my wisdom teeth.
She said because they had to be surgically removed, they were in several pieces and had been disposed of. I said the first thing that popped into my head.
She laughed then looked at me like I was an idiot.
Apparently she has not suffered too much in this economy. When you have to pinch every penny to pay the mortgage, you try to find as much extra cash as you can.
When I was younger three teeth would have fetched me about $15 — my Tooth fairy was quite generous — and they say assets gain value with time, so I was hoping to clear about $25.
It is not much, but it would have bought lunch for a week thanks to the evolution of dollar menus at several fast food places.
In the end, however, I am happy I did not have any bad side effects from my procedure. I have had several family members who have had their wisdom teeth removed and they were in pain for days.
I felt like I could have gone back to work that afternoon.
I guess good health and a lack of pain is what really matters. That $25 would have been nice though.
Maybe I should get the people in Congress to take a look at the situation.