The Toothfairy Gets My Vote

I have not been around to blog these last two weeks and have not written a piece since I took part in "Blog Against Theocracy Easter Weekend" on March 22nd. The following post is a "my dog ate my homework" explanation. It took me several days to write this as I am still not feeling up to par. I want to touch base with my fellow bloggers to let all know that I am laid up for a bit but will be back at it as soon as I am able. KWW
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I had dental surgery on Tuesday, April 1st. The surgeon took all of my teeth out - no foolin'. My worst case dental nightmare has come to pass and however much I resemble a chipmunk, I am on the mend.

Although I have experienced new emotional lows during the last month leading to my surgery date, many of my feelings were identical to the series of negative emotions that I felt almost fifty years ago on those rare visits to the dentist. Dental equipment at present, has undergone revolutionary improvement, and everything is on computer, but the feelings of dread, fear, worry, guilt, and shame haven't changed a lick since I was a kid.

We didn't mention dental problems like loose teeth, tooth aches, or cavities. No kid wanted to throw their family into a devastating financial crisis - which is what a trip to the doctor, the need for eyeglasses, or a visit to the dentist meant back then. No kid wanted to see the panicked look in their parent's eyes that screamed, "Where (the Hell) are we going to get the money?" It was bad enough that I needed new glasses every few years so I brushed my teeth, took the fluoride tests at school, and hoped for the best.
(I don't know to whom the above photo credit should go - but thanks for the laugh!)

The best was the toothfairy! If one managed to wiggle that baby tooth out or the old string and doorknob thing worked (we all did it at least once!) there was a payoff. Yep, the fairy was sure to leave a dime under one's pillow in exchange for an outgrown tooth. Later on due to inflation she started leaving two bits! The price of a comic book or some penny candy was much easier on most mom and dads than the cost of a cavity or the braces dentists always seemed to push. I didn't know any kids rich enough to have braces!

We know that the toothfairy takes away discarded baby teeth but what happens to an adult mouthful of worn but faithful chompers? You don't have to answer... but George Washington's teeth went to the same place!


During the four days since undergoing life-altering surgical extractions in a dentist's chair I have been well cared for by family and friends. Catfish has been holding my hand, preparing liquid and soft things for me to eat, and making sure I get the pain meds on time. My aunt and my best friend have been taking turns by phone to check and to offer encouragement. Auntie sent me a cheerful "care package" with toys, some of those old-fashioned miniature wax bottles of pop, and two tubes of liquid lollipops?!? Close family friends sent flowers that were delivered today. I am fortunate and deeply appreciative of the love and care I've received. I am sure that all of this "goodness" is helping me to heal as well.

The financial view from the dental chair hasn't changed since I was a little girl except to become exponentially more expensive. Like all medical care here in the Richest Nation in the World, American dental care is a pricey form of legal extortion. The cost of the surgical extractions, temporary dentures, bone grafts, implants, and the final set of dentures that will complete my treatment forced us to take out an in office dental loan for several thousand. That we have, through my husband's place of employment, one of the better dental insurance plans available, belies the fact that before I am done, we will have to take out a second loan. I feel real bad that I am costing us so much.

The worry and guilt began to take hold well before Tuesday's operation especially since I could have saved us $550.00 if I'd been brave enough to undergo the surgery without the OPTIONAL ANESTHESIA! Yes, insurance companies consider ANESTHESIA to be an unnecessary extra. One may choose it only if they have cash in their pockets or are eligilbe for a loan! How many people are forced to endure pain because their wallets are empty? Why must money determine whether or not someone is made to endure pain? Oh, I forgot, Americans do torture.

Many Americans have no medical coverage and no dental coverage. I am lucky to have access to both care and coverage, but we are middle class, and these expenses are heavy duty. Neither of our two sons has dental coverage or access to care and one doesn't even have access to medical care. I worry about them all of the time.

I began this post by mentioning the range of emotions that have accompanied my dental nightmare. Fear, yes, I had a lot of fear and dread while anticipating the surgery, the pain, and the swelling. Now the fear and dread are centered on the temporary set of dentures ever being adjusted enough to fit and of the final set of dentures fitting. I am told all of this takes many months - it is a process. The temporaries, which were put in right away, don't fit at all - they are set at the wrong angle too far in and I can't chew. I don't want my mouth and chin line changed because the replacement teeth are structured wrong... worry and dread.

I've been told that things have improved since George Washington couldn't chew with these...

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Shame has been a factor, too. Shame at having a reoccurring dental disease and unhealthy teeth most of my life. Shame for not having gone to the dentist many times in my life when I couldn't afford it and shame to opting NOT to have a procedure done because I could not pay for ANESTHESIA. Shame that I did not floss correctly. I have been ashamed about my teeth most of my life because they were not straight and were troublesome. My mother used to cover her mouth with her hand because of her teeth and avoided having photos taken. My husband remembers his mother melting wax from a candle to fill in painful cavities because she could not afford to go the dentist. She felt shame, too!

Lastly, I am angry but not at my situation. I'll get through this, adapt, and go on with my life. I am angry that some Americans are going without medical care because other Americans have chosen to make money from misery! Americans are stressed out of their minds for lack of care.

People in Europe are healthier, happier, and do not suffer stress anywhere near American levels. The "Quality of Life" available to the majority of Europeans is superior to that of Americans because Europe's wealth is in "caring about and for its people". Dental, eye, and medical care is available to everyone. No shame, worry, dread, and no going without or poverty induced by medical expenses.

This is a country of profit and greed where money is the only measure of value - to hell with it! Let's get the corporate monkeys off of our backs and change our attitude and our systems. We can start by taking care of one another.
- Kitchen Window Woman