@@facebook=
@@
The dentist’s office is an unpopular destination for many, but the recession — and the stress it has put on pocketbooks — has caused many people to drastically cut back on dental care. The problem is especially glaring among the poor and the elderly.
“We believe (dental care) is the No. 1 unmet health care need among low-income adults, and especially for elderly adults,” said Jen House, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Health.
Angela Marks lives with that reality every day. The 28-year-old Dayton woman said her wisdom tooth broke several months ago after an old filling fell out, causing her tremendous pain. But she lacks dental insurance and she cannot afford the $220 to $450 she estimates it will cost to remove the tooth.
“It is hard to find the money between the bills and everything I have to pay for on a normal basis,” she said. “I’ve had three children, and I don’t think birth hurts worse than tooth pain.”
As the economy continues to lag, Marks and many other Miami Valley residents are shunning dental care to pay for life’s necessities. That can create or exacerbate oral health problems and lead to the need for more expensive procedures.
A survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that about one-third of Americans skipped dental care or check-ups in the past year because of the cost. More than 430,000 of the roughly 1.38 million residents in the five-county area do not have dental insurance, according to the most recent Ohio Family Health Survey.
The survey also found that 55 percent of those 65 and older in the Miami Valley do not have dental insurance.
House said about 39 percent of Ohioans — about 4 million people — do not have dental insurance. About 45 million Americans under the age of 65 do not have dental coverage, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Since the start of the recession, fewer employers have offered dental coverage to employees, which diminishes the likelihood they will visit the dentist, said David Owsiany, executive director of the Ohio Dental Association.
“The data shows you are less likely to seek preventative care and treatment if you don’t have dental benefits, which means if you have an issue, it gets worse, and the treatment gets more invasive and more expensive,” he said. “Getting preventative care saves money.”
Only about 64 percent of Americans visited a dentist in the past 12 months, according to the Gallup and Healthways Well-Being Index report for May, released last month. Marks said she is saving money to pay for the tooth extraction, but it will take time.
Dr. Jeffrey Kleinman, owner of Dixie Dental and Denture Center in Dayton, said business for many dentists has declined 10 to 15 percent in the last few years. He said people are cutting back on cleanings and forgoing routine procedures, a strategy that backfires because it costs more money to address emergency treatment for serious tooth and gum issues.
“They are just going to end up in more trouble,” he said. “They may have small cavities, but (neglect) may lead to bigger ones and loss of teeth.”
Brian Holmes, 44, of Dayton, visited the dentist every six months for cleanings and check-ups when he had dental insurance. But in 2008, he lost his coverage and he also learned he had multiple cavities and worn-down fillings. He said he’s been unable to afford the treatment.
“There’s pretty much nothing I can cut back on,” he said.
Holmes said he would not be surprised if his teeth problems have spread and he now needs thousands of dollars in treatment. He said he hopes that in several months, he will be eligible to sign up for dental insurance through his employer.
Dr. Bob Muster, co-owner of ABC Dental in Huber Heights, said some residents only visit the dentist for emergency treatment. He said he understands money is tight for many families, but preventative care makes more financial sense in the long run.
“I always consider getting your teeth cleaned every six months is like getting oil changes for your car — it keeps your engine from blowing up,” he said. “It’s much less expensive to do preventative maintenance than a complete overhaul.”
Dr. Michael Dickerson, managing clinical director at Aspen Dental in Troy, said dental care is not “life or death,” but tooth and gum disease negatively impact people’s quality of life.
Decaying teeth cause bad breath and hurt a person’s appearance. Tooth decay and gum disease have been linked to heart disease and strokes.
Dickerson said businesses like his offer of payment plans to help accommodate people in need of oral care. He said a little financial planning can help people avoid higher costs down the road and lifelong problems.
“We just see more and more people that need really extensive work,” he said. “Preventative care goes a long way.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-0749 or cfrolik@DaytonDailyNews.com.
About the Author
