Posted on 02/28/2007 6:59:16 AM PST by montag813
WASHINGTON - Twelve-year-old Deamonte Driver died of a toothache Sunday.
A routine, $80 tooth extraction might have saved him.
If his mother had been insured.
If his family had not lost its Medicaid.
If Medicaid dentists weren't so hard to find.
If his mother hadn't been focused on getting a dentist for his brother, who had six rotted teeth.
By the time Deamonte's own aching tooth got any attention, the bacteria from the abscess had spread to his brain, doctors said. After two operations and more than six weeks of hospital care, the Prince George's County boy died.
Deamonte's death and the ultimate cost of his care, which could total more than $250,000, underscore an often-overlooked concern in the debate over universal health coverage: dental care.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Right. That kid would still be alive had the mother taken responsibility and done that.
If that was her in the photo higher up in the thread...it's evident she hasn't missed any meals or desserts since October.
LOL.
People like this get $26 and go straight to WalMart to get those wig extentions and stop at McDonalds on the way home.
Gubment takes care of the real bills.
I am sure she would have a pre-paid new cell phone if she managed to drum up $80.
Sorry, I am not convinced. They probably know THAT you are supposed to brush your teeth, but not necessarily how to do it. I agree with you, about having to remind them. My 15 year-olds have to get reminded to brush, and to flush. They are smart kids, but it is amazing what they don't remember to do.
This mother failed her child and that should be a crime.
Or maybe Shadow was just trying to help her husband, who was in pretty decent pain from the sound of it, instead of telling him, "You're an adult, so find a dentist yourself." ;)
The hospital that I went to when I had and abscess had a 'resident' dentist who took care of me.
I guess it depends upon the hospital.
Like I told the other poster,
The hospital I went to with an abscess had a 'resident' dentist that took care of me. It really all depends on the hospital and whether they have a dentist on call.
Four years ago I had to have a root canal and a crown which cost in the $1000's.
Ever since then I have been a jihadist about brushing and flossing and 4-month cleanings.
Why not cut off sperm donor's weenie?
Sounds to me like some ripping is due here.
Why not cut off sperm donor's weenie?
You say that like there would only be one. LOL!
Thank you. The night I brought my dying mother to the ER, there was a mom there with her son who had a toothache. Of course, she felt her son should be seen before my mom. One look from me and that ended any additional crap.
two problems Who are the sperm donors? and if all 5 were identified and sterilized there would soon be another 5
It shouldn't unless there are septic emboli, from a more generalized outbreak (very advanced and untreated). People have strokes in and out of the hospital. If we had a system that truly dispensed justice, you would've lost your suit, with the facts you stated here.
We don't know how resourceful she is or isn't. From some of the posts made on this thread thus far, it is clear that even for the resourceful and insured, real life doesn't always work the way we think it should.
It must be even more difficult for the poor and uninsured.
I had an abscessed tooth where the infection spread to my face and my dental insurance would not begin for a couple of weeks. I went to the ER and they were able to treat me with antibiotic right away, clearing up the inflection and giving me time to have the tooth removed when my insurance kicked in. They offered to bill me (I did have health insurance) so it seems to me that she could have done the same thing and then paid off the bill later, even she paid a little at a time. Instead she waited on the government, which means waiting on an inpersonal and bureaucratic process.
Maybe she went to the ER and was sent away because they didn't consider it to be a medical emergency at the time.
Most hospitals don't have a dentist available in the ER. I gets old seeing 4 or 5 patients a shift with dental pain ( some there just for the narcotic meds) many who just won't pay for a dentist. I wouldn't mind as much if I could actually do something about it.
Private health insurance does exist n the countries you mention, though I'm not sure about the current status of Canada. I do know that a debate has been going on in Canada.
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