I’ve been battling an infected wisdom tooth with antibiotics and pain meds for the past year now because I can’t afford the surgery to get it taken out. Two nights ago I woke up in the middle of the night from a sudden excruciating pain in my tooth and jaw that took my breath away. This morning I woke up and the little I had left of my tooth (that hadn’t rotted away yet) was completely gone except the roots. Literally rotted out of my head in my sleep, and the gum behind it is swollen, painful and hard. My guess is an abscess. I’m fairly certain that my body has probably gotten too used to the antibiotics by now and they’re not working anymore. I know how serious a tooth infection/abscess is and what it can lead to. I am also in pain that I can’t even describe.
I went to 2 different dentists today and called about 10 more begging for help. I explained that I can’t afford the surgery up front but can pay it within a couple of weeks with my tax refund. However my body can’t wait a couple of weeks, I can feel that I need to address it right now. I have dental insurance that I’m told has good coverage but doesn’t cover nearly enough for me to afford it. Several of them suggested I apply for a credit line/payment arrangement with the company they work with (the same company offered by most dentists that do this). I got denied and it was a hard pull on my credit. They told me to get a co-signer. I don’t have a co-signer, I don’t have anyone like that in my life. I cannot borrow that amount of money from anyone. I also got a lot of “we’re not taking new patients” and “we have nothing available for weeks/months”.
I have a decent job but this has been the hardest past year of my life and I just can’t catch up. I kept asking the ones that could maybe squeeze me in soon if there was anyway I could get billed after insurance instead of paying up front. I have done this at the doctor and hospital before but it is obviously different at dental offices because every one of them said they require payment up front. One even said they won’t even schedule anything unless you pay IN FULL up front.
It sucked having to beg people and be vulnerable to these strangers that I could tell mostly didn’t care. I’m sure they deal with this kind of stuff all the time, so I want to understand. But I am genuinely very concerned about what to do. I kept asking what my last resort was if things started really taking a turn for the worse but no one really had an answer. I might be dramatic saying I might die, but I also might not be.
I’m defeated and in so much pain.
Comments
Get thee to an ER. For big swinging dick antibiotics and hopefully something for a few days at least for pain. Intractable pain and infection are potential emergencies. You may need something IV for the abscess.
Look into dental schools near you. They sometimes offer low cost options for certain dental work.
Let’s be honest this sounds like an ER situation. They cannot deny you life saving care. Obviously dental care is not standard care at a hospital but this sounds like it is pretty far beyond that at this point. IANAL and I’m not necessarily recommending this but I do know that some people check into the ER without identification and “unable to remember” their correct name & address when in need to of life saving care in order to avoid being billed. It isn’t the morally right thing to do but the currently state of the health system is not exactly morally correct either.
When a dental issue becomes a medical issue, go to the ER. Don’t mess around with mouth infections, they can be lethal very quickly.
Talk to your employer, explain the situation and ask for a salary advance. Maybe check with HR before your manager – managers can have all kinds of opinions and thoughts that are just plain stupid, HR will know the procedure.
This breaks my heart. I had an abscess for 8 days, and it was a very, very long 8 days. The pain is unbearable, and I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this! I also think the ER should be your next step. Also, could you consider contacting your bank? Many offer salary advances. I wish you luck!
Go to the ER
I was in a similar position, the infection moved into my jaw and I had to have part of my jaw drilled out. If you have insurance (or even if you don’t) you should be able to get better antibiotics to hold you over until you can afford the procedure. I had to wait 7 weeks to see my dentist because he was fully booked, I ended up paying 300 in urgent care visits getting different antibiotics. The second nurse practitioner I saw took me very seriously and gave me a shot of penicillin and a Z pack, and a second shot of penicillin three days later at no extra cost. Since the infection was in my jaw she may have saved my jaw itself.
If it is life threatening an ER visit could confirm that and get the surgery taken care of for you. I knew a homeless man who got the surgery done that way.
I hope you find something that helps. Sorry you’re going through this. I know it sucks, it seems like no one in a position to help cares unless you have money for them. Even when you have money, you’re on their time as the infection gets worse. It’s a horrible thing to go through, our healthcare in the US is some disgusting shit.
Go to the hospital! They have to treat you no matter what and can help you set up insurance.
Where are you and what’s the cost?
i saw in a comment your a manager.. do you have a 401k through your employer? you can withdraw from the account for medical expense and avoid the IRS penalty.
Where are you located? Just went through an emergency dental situation with a family member so if I can help, I will. Sometimes it really is a matter of continuing to call until you get the right person on the other end
Go to an emergency DENTIST. Not the hospital. They exist & often deal with low/no income patients so they will have payment options and may reduce rates.