Bad Tooth

Yesterday, while eating popcorn,I cracked a tooth. This is the second time this has happened actually the third, I had a smaller dent in one tooth ,but it doesn't bother me as much. lucky me I have alittle money, since my tax return, but I'm almost tapped out. The bad news is that a majorly cracked tooth might require "Caps", or a "Crowns" . In America something like this would cost 500.00 to 800.00 Dollars. I don't have health/or dental insurance, despite having asthma, possibly type 2 Diabetes, and bad Dental health, but mostly all my teeth..

When I was younger , Up until 18, I was covered under my father health plan, Kaiser-Permanate, So I was able to get good care for the many asthma attacks I had in childhood, after 18 I was kicked off my fathers plan,and for a short while I tried paying the insurance myself. back in 1984 or so I they they wanted 60-80 dollars a month, I thought it was too expensive,so I let it lapse.

In 2000, I checked about getting coverage again. Even IF Kaiser would accept me,I'd be looking at paying something like 120.00 a month....just too pricey. Nowadays I hear Kaiser premiums are even higher, even if they accept me with type 2 Diabetes. With a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes any kind of health insurance is going to be expensive.

I just kind of gave up on the idea of health insurance.

My story about Dental care with no dental insurance in even more interesting,suffice it to say that I don't have any right now. I went to UCSF dental school to get my tooth looked at. U.C.S.F, University of San Francisco's Dental school supposedly offers lower rates while a Student dentist works on you with supervision by professionals, but even with that I could not afford the 550.00 cost for a "Crown" he said I needed. He offered some dental fillings but didn't recommend them, said they probably wouldn't last, then offered to put some cement in that hole in my tooth for an additions 70.00, on top of the $70.00 I'd have to pay for the visit and the X-rays, The cement would only be a temporary measure , but only I'd be broke...er.

I declined treatment,I hoped and the dentist confirmed this, that maybe I could live for a while will part of a tooth missing, maybe it would heal alittle. I'm worried that I can't leave it un-aided lest I get a cavity and end up with a root canal or having the tooth extracted.

That visit cost though $70.00. Rejected at a Dental school. I've worked for about 7 years now, they only offer a Coupon-like offer.

Universal health, or some kind of health, where people don't have to worry about these kinds of things , would be a relief. At present the only possible way I could afford that crown, other than borrowing heavily is to quit my job .