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[Cedophile]

I need a bit of advice.

My dental hygiene had been a bit... lacking... over the summer. I've cleaned up that act, but I've got a few dark spots on a few of my teeth.

I'm a student in college and I've just outgrown medical (state insurance for California). I'm wondering if anyone knows if there's some kind of dental coverage available for poor old 21-year-old me. I'll take anything.

Also, in the event that it's out of pocket for everything, how much would a checkup and a few fillings (both white and metal, possibly) cost?

Here's hoping that a national health insurance bill pulls through in the U.S. before my teeth rot beyond hope.

[The Gatekeeper]

My step-sister has found a good resource to try and correct her own dental hygene issues. She made friends with a dental hygene student and she now goes to her school once a week and they practice assessing and cleaning on her teeth. I think the whole program cost her $20.

[NightAngel]

I'll agree with GateKeeper. If you can find a dental school or a college that has that as a major some of them have their own practice where the ready- to- graduate students work along side full fledged dentists.

I used to take my kids to the one in KC- they had all the top line, state of the art equipment, medicines, etc. that you may not see in a regular practice and it was CHEAP!

[Der Cute]

Caveat (pun intended)

When using a college/techschool's dentistry, book 3 hours for a normal 1 hr cleaning.

I used to have to skip classes or book them on really slow days. But the people have always been learning, and I like being a guinea pig for them. Plus they get to see my Geographical Tongue! Which means I'm a freak :P

Geo tongue is a fungus living on top of the tongue surface, which also changes shapes and shifts on a regular basis. It's harmless, non transferrable, and sometimes painful (not for me) but I think it's cool.


You could also call up your local adult assistance (state) and ask: do you have any referrals to dentists w/ sliding scales? Usually are a few clinics per city for low and no insurance people.

AND....with the Rahmota story happening, FIND THE STATE WEBSITE and look up dentist/doctor complaint databases!!!!!!!

Good luck, happy teeth.

Cutenoob

[AFpheonix]

Ditto on the dental school idea, or failing that, see if there's any low cost/low income clinics in the area: Example: Virginia Garcia clinics in my neck of the woods also have some dental thingies.

Also check in to see if your college offers dental insurance. Some do.

[Cedophile]

Thanks for the ideas, everybody! It never occured to me to become a guinea pig for students.

Wonder if this would work for other areas of medicine, as well... I've had a daily, almost hourly twitch around my right eye and eyebrow for the past month or so.

[Geek King]

Thanks for the ideas, everybody! It never occured to me to become a guinea pig for students.

Wonder if this would work for other areas of medicine, as well... I've had a daily, almost hourly twitch around my right eye and eyebrow for the past month or so.

Hmm, I don't think becomeing a guinea pig for a possible neurological disorder is a good idea. Something about 'poking about in her nut' (Ha! name that TV reference! :p ) gives me bad vibes.