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Nefarius
Big Wall climber
Fresno
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 6, 2009 - 12:55pm PT
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hahaha Guess you guys are right. lol See what happens when you're skimming at work? Sorry, Lois.
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Nefarius
Big Wall climber
Fresno
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 6, 2009 - 12:57pm PT
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Del Cross - Yeah, that's the plan I have. 80%, but a yearly maximum of $1500, which doesn't cover sh#t. Just had a look - nothing mentioned about implants. Had a friend who was going to get a couple - you're not going to get implants for anywhere near a couple grand, here in the U.S.. Try more like $6k+.
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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LEB wrote
"You might be interested to know that unlike medical insurance, there are not a lot of "good" dental insurance plans. I have had a variety of jobs and a variety of plans. Typically the cover only a portion of whatever you are having done and not an esp big portion, either...."
"I agree that dentists are not esp oriented toward providing alternatives. Because I am very assertive, I have had forceful arguments in the past with my dentist regarding what I want done (versus what he wants done)..."
I pity the fool!
" Typically, he wants the Cadillac version and I am arguing for the Chevy. He is very assertive and I win out only because I am equally assertive and it is, after all, my mouth. My solutions "work." he just does not esp like them because there are more perfect (and much more expensive) ways of doing xyz. We have been having these discussions for decades now."
Good for you. He can sign up for Supertopo and try for revenge here on you.
"We had a very strange relationship in the past. He was just out of dental school when I first met him and he began working on my mouth. He would get all upset because my mouth would bleed so much and I was always reassuring him in the process that everything would be fine. "
Since you want the "Chevy" solution, tell the dentist that we at Supertopo recommend bailing wire and duct tape for the problem which should kill numerous birds with the same stone! ;-)
I ranted about dental insurance before. It's a weird loophole in our medical system. Fortunately you keep your mouth muscles in top condition so you're probably in fine shape
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=645383
"I know we're not supposed to discuss things that belong to the sacred realm of the professional but this is an issue that our parents face and we will face.
Most retired peoples insurance doesn't cover dental care and neither does medicare. My Dad is a combat vet but the VA doesn't cover it either except in the problems started in the service.
Independent dental insurance often won't insure the elderly and inexpensive discount plans are available in limited localities.
HSA, medical savings plans could reduce elderly people's expenses but you're not eligible if you are on Medicare (which doesn't cover dental)
What are the old folks supposed to do? My mom got a tooth pulled from an oral surgeon last week and the bill was $1500!
Am I missing something. I like to find out info to help my folks but I'm stumped. At least you can think to plan ahead for this aspect of your retirement if you haven't thought of it. (Getting an HSA now could save you money when you no longer have dental insurance and don't qualify for an HSA in the future because you're on medicare)
Peace
Karl"
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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yeah LEB, it's nuts.
Problem with teeth is that they are right in pain central, your head!
Peace
Karl
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tooth
Mountain climber
Guam
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Brock, last year I knew of 3 patients who died of endocarditis stemming from dental pain (infection). One was 22, one 26, and the other in his 40's. All happened in California. The 22year old had a nurse do CPR on him for an hour in a helicopter as they flew him to the hospital, she came in to see me shortly after to get her own teeth checked it shook her up so bad.
The other 2 were patients of friends of mine. It happens.
Del Cross, sounds like you know what you are talking about compared to some....
Karl, your VA doesn't cover much of anything for your vets. I have done more free work for the military of your country out of pity because of all the trash I see... they are treated as disposable. Teeth that need fillings are ripped out (causing TMJ problems in one poor 22-yr old female soldier who had her leg ripped off by a roadside bomb in Iraq) and root canals are done quickly without even finishing the tooth with a crown. I'd give them 1-2 years before fracturing. Guys come in with military papers asking if they will be healthy enough to function through another tour. I'm very very conservative.
I don't know what the answer is for your parents.
LEB, that makes sense! Divide cosmetic/essential health dentistry and cover that with insurance. Unfortunately insurance companies think implants are cosmetic. The only implants that are usually cosmetic don't go under your gums. They really need to catch up on the industry they are insuring. More and more dentists at home in Canada are going cash-only and letting people deal with their own insurance companies. Hopefully this trend spreads as it will reduce demand in the industry and get people to realize what they are really paying into.
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tooth
Mountain climber
Guam
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The reason dental insurances do that is because they can. People keep buying into them, and dentists keep signing on to them.
They don't claim anything. They don't claim to know dentistry, know what is best for you, cover enough to heal you or care. DentiCal at least covers disease control for poor people in California, but they won't help restore anything unless it is a denture.
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Indianclimber
Trad climber
Lost Wages
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Nita that youtube video is great ,poor kid
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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I pay careful attention to dental hygiene, and have for many years. My teeth tend to rapidly accumulate plaque, and so I get them professionally cleaned every three months. The dentist and hygienist say that some people are like that, and that there's nothing I can do to improve how I brush, floss, etc.
If you haven't had regular professional dental care for a while, and are now able to do so, get a full exam. If you need significant work, talk with the dentist about priorities and budget. It may be possible to do the work over a year or two, and some dentists may be willing to consider a 'package' deal.
Time spent in reconnaisance is never wasted, and neither is time or money spent on health care, including dentistry.
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Rhodo-Router
Gym climber
Otto, NC
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Anyone know a good implant specialist? I need one.
PM okay.
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micronut
Trad climber
fresno, ca
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Rhodo, half of my practice is implant based and its a bit of a subspecialty of mine. E-mail me if you have any questions.
Scott
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