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Because you can't really die from it? I know you can actually die, but for those situations it will be handled by the emergency room. Not saying I agree with t

Because you can't really die from it? I know you can actually die, but for those situations it will be handled by the emergency room. Not saying I agree with the policy.

lotsoweiners 3y ago
Although less common, if you let a tooth infection get bad enough it could potentially lead to other issues and even death.
- jstarfish 3y ago
  It's not that uncommon. Root canals are unaffordable. The ER will at least give you antibiotics for an abcess. But few can afford to actually deal with it.
  - lotsoweiners 3y ago
    They’re certainly not cheap not sure I’d call them unaffordable though. I’ve had 2 root canals in the last few years and they were probably $200-400 a pop with insurance. I’ve also had an extraction, bone graft, and implant and that was probably a few grand.
    - 20after4 3y ago
      My last root canal was $1500 and insurance paid 50% of that. I don't even live in an expensive region of the US.
mcbutterbunz 3y ago
Is your argument that diseases that you can’t die from shouldn’t be covered by primary medical care?
gushogg-blake 3y ago
I get the sense that in some ways dentistry and optometry are also kept separate because of how complex they are, and that even something like eye cancer/mouth cancer wouldn't be something a GP would look at. Not sure where they'd draw the line, but I've definitely been to the GP for things I've thought were genuine, general health issues and been sent away because they happened to be in the mouth or somehow related to vision.
ensignavenger 3y ago
There are a lot of things that impact quality of life that healthcare plans pay for, and must pay for by law. And chances are by the time you get an ER to handle a.dental problem, you are already half dead and they may not be able to save you.
hausen 3y ago
The link between oral and cardiovascular health is well known: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/gum-disease-and-the-connection-to-heart-disease https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/gum-d... So, yes, even outside of emergency situations, lots of people die because they cannot/won't see a dentist.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]

Because you can't really die from it? I know you can actually die, but for those situations it will be handled by the emergency room. Not saying I agree with the policy.

lotsoweiners 3y ago

Although less common, if you let a tooth infection get bad enough it could potentially lead to other issues and even death.

jstarfish 3y ago
It's not that uncommon. Root canals are unaffordable. The ER will at least give you antibiotics for an abcess. But few can afford to actually deal with it.
- lotsoweiners 3y ago
  They’re certainly not cheap not sure I’d call them unaffordable though. I’ve had 2 root canals in the last few years and they were probably $200-400 a pop with insurance. I’ve also had an extraction, bone graft, and implant and that was probably a few grand.
  - 20after4 3y ago
    My last root canal was $1500 and insurance paid 50% of that. I don't even live in an expensive region of the US.

mcbutterbunz 3y ago

Is your argument that diseases that you can’t die from shouldn’t be covered by primary medical care?

gushogg-blake 3y ago

I get the sense that in some ways dentistry and optometry are also kept separate because of how complex they are, and that even something like eye cancer/mouth cancer wouldn't be something a GP would look at. Not sure where they'd draw the line, but I've definitely been to the GP for things I've thought were genuine, general health issues and been sent away because they happened to be in the mouth or somehow related to vision.

ensignavenger 3y ago

There are a lot of things that impact quality of life that healthcare plans pay for, and must pay for by law. And chances are by the time you get an ER to handle a.dental problem, you are already half dead and they may not be able to save you.

hausen 3y ago

The link between oral and cardiovascular health is well known: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/gum-disease-and-the-connection-to-heart-disease https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/gum-d... So, yes, even outside of emergency situations, lots of people die because they cannot/won't see a dentist.

deleted 3y ago
[deleted]