kids' dental expenses

[34saving]

Re: kids' dental expenses

I seriously have no idea why you would respond to my post in what seems to me to be a somewhat defensive way. .

I'm sorry if I came off as defensive, that wasn't my intention. When I said I forgot what forum I was posting to I only meant that I also post on a forum that deals exclusively with clefts, so, in this case, I didn't give appropriate background.

That being said, my daughter's doctor is extremely competent and very used to dealing with kids with very messed up teeth. Again, I'm not saying it's good to metaphorically "throw the baby out with the bathwater", but I do think it's legitimate to evaluate kids' teeth in the context of them not being permanent. Not only because of the cost involved, but also because of the pain of treatment.

[disneysteve]

Re: kids' dental expenses

I remember when my wisdom teeth were coming in (bothering the heck out of me), and I was actually praying that they would be impacted so my medical insurance would pay

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?

[disneysteve]

Re: kids' dental expenses

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

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.

[MonkeyMama]

Re: kids' dental expenses

in a OT but related comment, remember to log your milage for all the dental trips, if you reach the 7.5% it really helps when tracking your milage as it happens

I'll have to look into that. we are wELL over 7.5% but you generally can not deduct miles for any medical procedures. I thought it was because you had to travel far for special reasons, etc. Though since the only denstist I trust is about 100 miles away maybe I Can - LOL.

[MonkeyMama]

Re: kids' dental expenses

I have wondered that about dental insurance - why it is so separate. Especially when you hear about how connected it is to the health of the rest of your body.

I hear you on the baby teeth thing. You don't know how many friends I know with small kids getting braces and fillings and other procedures. That was just unheard of a generation ago. Remains to be seen if it is good or bad. maybe this is good overall.

The things I have been told (all different with each subsequent dentist) is I need root canals, root planing, all my fillings replaced. The whole "unless you were homeless for decades" was to response to root planing. my dentist looked in my mouth and said there was no way that would be covered by my insurance because I did not have enough buildup (which got me started thinking that was why they were praying on me without insurance - how would I know that since I don't have it). Same with the root canal. Fillings - my dentist said they have plenty of life left and the less often you redo them (& drill down the teeth more) the better. Well I Was told I needed all my filling replaced about 3 years ago and they are going strong - I have had 1 replaced since. Root planing and root canals - some dentists feel this is beneficial to your health I guess but there is a lot of debate out there that these are questionable procedures. I just throw this out because a big part of being frugal is being skeptical with professionals and shopping around. If you are getting sold many of these procedures I think it is beneficial to shop around, and this is where dh's friend got into that dentists who went to private school tend to be very aggressive and push all these procedures whereas public school dentists are more likely to say, hmmmm, this is not necessary and feel it will do more harm.

But like I Said I was starting to wonder if my dentist of 30 years was a quack and I Really needed a ton of work. I Feel more confident today with a 3rd opinion that he is just fine.

What we need is more dentists on this board - hehe. just curious for their 2 cents.

It probably wouldn't be bad to try the dental schools for cleaning - an idea - but I am not sure I would want to get more work done there... I will pay for some experience.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: kids' dental expenses

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]

Re: kids' dental expenses

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]

Re: kids' dental expenses

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]

Re: kids' dental expenses

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]

Re: kids' dental expenses

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]

Re: kids' dental expenses

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!