kids' dental expenses

[PrincessPerky]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

Unless you are referring to the cost of eyeglasses, eyes are certainly covered by medical insurance. Medical insurance covers eye exams, treatment of eye-related diseases and injuries, surgeries, medications, etc. There is no separate "eye insurance" as their is with dental insurance.

Not mine! though some diseses are, the ones effecting 'just' vision are not..

[tinapbeana]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

Another strange provision - dental work isn't covered EXCEPT for impacted wisdom teeth. That's covered under medical insurance. How did that happen? What made that different than every other dental problem?

my impacted wisdom teeth weren't covered by medical, i had to have oral surgery with an out of network oral surgeon under my dental. there wasn't one in network for a 3 state radius, how's that for service?

[TBH]

Thanks, everyone, for the sympathy and the ideas.

I don't think I will get a second opinion. I chose this dentist because three separate people recommended her to me (including my own dentist) for my son. I have a close friend whose daughter had major dental work done at age 3 (my son's current age) and the dentist sedated her and strapped her down. The kid is now six and is still suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from that dental work. They now use the dentist I took my son to. I feel pretty confident that I've vetted this dentist well and that she knows what she's talking about.

The other factor is that I have so, so, so many problems with my teeth. My son appears to have inherited them. So I'm inclined to think she's not exaggerating the problems because I've heard the same thing myself for so many years from different dentists.

Plus, I have a baby tooth still because there was no adult tooth underneath it. My son's papa has the same thing, and so does his cousin. All this family history makes it likely that some of the teeth he has now will be with him into his thirties. And as others have said, the overall health of the mouth is going to determine the health of the adult teeth that are coming in. There is no way I'm going to put off this work.

I feel very fortunate that I do have an E fund. When I get a $2000 surprise like this I can say "oh, that's terrible. What a misfortune. Let me get my checkbook." And then I can go about the business of rebuilding that savings. Many many parents in my situation would have to choose between taking on debt to pay for this, or choosing not to have the work done.

In retrospect, I should have taken him to the dentist much earlier. Three is too late, but someone told me when he was a baby that he didn't need to go til he turned 3 so I just put it out of my head. They're saying now that kids should go by age 1, or by age 2 at the latest. Also, he was breastfed and we co-slept. All that sugary milk sitting on his teeth all night for so long was really bad.

Plus, dental insurance would have taken the edge off, but I agree with other folks that it's a joke. His premiums would have cost me $300 per year, and there's a $1500 annual maximum payout. Even before you reach that maximum, there are all kinds of co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses. In this extreme case I would have been better off with insurance, but I think many years dental insurance does not pay for itself. But some kinds of insurance you hope you never use, and I guess dental is no different.

[34saving]

I'm glad to hear you have confidence in your decision. It always seems like peace is the biggest thing. Chloe (daughter, 3.5 months) had surgery requiring full anesthesia about 1.5 months ago and she did great. It didn't seem to bother her at all. To be honest, I was really scared, but now I don't worry about it at all. I'm sure your little guy will do great too. On the financial front, promise me you'll at least glance at your medical insurance to see if there might be some help there. Best wishes!

[TBH]

I forgot to say that my medical insurance will pay for the hospital visit and the anaesthetic. I just have to pay for the dental work so it will probably be less expensive than having the work done in the dentist's office with a local anaesthetic that I'd have to pay for. Not that I'd make such a choice based on money alone...

[JanH]

Originally Posted by PrincessPerky

Now why is it that eyes and teeth are not 'medical'? why the sepration?

I agree and also with "mental health" Even though it is covered by medical insurance, you have a mental health portion of it. I have a problem with the term "mental health." If you have a problem with your heart, it is a heart condition. Same with kidneys, liver, etc. If you have a problem with the chemistry in your brain, it is not a BRAIN condition or disorder--it is mental health. Sheesh.

I, too, would think about a second opinion unless you have no questions about this dentist. I totally trust the dentist I have now, he's amazing. But we've had a dentist who misled us and did unnecessary work. And I know of another dentist in this area I wouldn't trust because a close friend got a diagnosis that she didn't trust and went back home to her old dentist and he told her that it was not true. But it is hard to put a little one back through this isn't it.

Now, I've read the rest of the posts and see that you trust the dentist. Very good. Hope all goes well!