Toothache for Children of the Recession

In This Economy, a Trip to the Dentist Often at Bottom of Priorities

(CBS)  Eight-year-old Mikey Paskiewicz and his 7-year-old sister, Lulu love to bowl.

Their mother Lynda is just as passionate about the kids brushing their teeth. She even sets a timer to prevent shortcuts.

The family has been without dental insurance ever since Lynda lost her job at a western Wisconsin boat maker two years ago, reports CBS News Correspondent Cynthia Bowers.

"I was more or less relying on God to take care of us," she said.

So Paskiewicz felt her prayers were answered, when the Wisconsin Dental Association recently staged a mission of mercy: free dental care to anyone, at a La Crosse sports arena.

Over two days, more than 1,300 people came calling. Some waiting all night, many with children.

Lynda Paskiewicz drove an hour, before dawn, so her children could make their first-ever visit to the dentist.

"Without this, I don't know what we could have done because she needs care now. He needs care now. I can use care now," she said.

They're not alone. It's estimated that some 12 million children face serious barriers to dental care, involving either high cost or lack of dental insurance.

"If there's nothing left at the end of the day, health care is what suffers the most," said Shelley Bolton who attended the clinic.

Clinics like the one in La Crosse help. But in this economy, with folks struggling just to put food on the table and pay their mortgages, a trip to the dentist is often the first thing to go.

In fact, a recent survey found 36 percent of Americans have cut back on regular visits because of the cost.

Dr. Gene Shoemaker helped organize the volunteer effort. He worries that parents trying to save money on dental care now will pay far more later.

"By the time it hurts somebody, it usually involves more treatment -- which means more cost and more time to the patient," he said.

And the result can be disastrous. Two years ago, a homeless 12-year-old Maryland boy named Deamonte Driver died from an infection that started with a cavity and spread to his brain.

"Our goal is to get those teeth taken care of before it becomes a problem to that tragic degree," said Shoemaker.

Lynda Paskiewicz knows it's been risky to delay trips to the dentist. But the news this day was pretty good. Lulu had two small cavities. Mikey needed a baby tooth pulled.

And a few days later, Lynda started a new job that offers dental benefits. Another prayer answered for the Paskiewicz family, but something that remains only a distant hope for millions of others.

[Ichabod09]

This article is about 3 months old. How many sub-sites on the CBS main site are old or reworked "news"?

[heather587]

Many of you may not be aware but, many, if not all, dental hygiene schools provide cleanings and xrays for as little as $20 per person. There are usually several registered dental hygienists on the floor as well as a dentist. Check out the ADHA website to find a school near you and get some information. DHY students are always looking for patients. Check it out!

[Stevenapoli7]

Thankfully preventive dental care is reasonably affordable. Cleaning, exam, bitewings usually come in under $100. Way cheaper than trips to the hair & nail salon.

[mzilikazi-2009]

Huh? I thought Goldman Sachs and CNBC had declared the depression to be offically over?

[fstwrtr]

trotting out the children to boost the government handout program..are people so helpless that they cant live without government handouts?.. helpless *******

[lorajeantn]

Are you so blind that you can't see the problem when 15% of our citizens have no insurance? Do you not understand that most of those people cannot afford health care? I hope someday you join their ranks so you too can see what it's like when basic necessities are denied to you.

[Mkw789]

Dental insurance should be included with health insurance. Ted Kennedy believed it's morally wrong to leave 100 million Americans un or underinsured, 1 illness away from financial ruin -- found a cool site; Balkingpoints ; incredible satellite view of earth

[grandma-dot]

i have a grandson, 16 his dental only covers the pulling of teeth and fillings......he has EDS and at this time needs 4 teeth pulled and his teeth are nearly gone, and insurance will not cover bridges or replaceing them...he is a handsome young man but the EDS causes you to loose your teeth early, especially during puberty...now who helps with that? anyone know..or have ideas...he has become really beligerant at the dentist because of denying what he needs and because a dentist spilled hot filling on his lips before and denyed it....
don't you just love pop and candy....and insurance....maybe they are in cahoots.......lol no not funny..........sad

[mollydtt]

Even with a dental plan, the premiums are large, and the insurance payment for things like cleanings, fillings or crowns are so small that you almost feel it isn't worth paying for the coverage. No dentist charges the recommended allowable that my dental plan covers.
So--I think twice or three times before going to the dentist or taking my daughter. I do it, because I know it is for the best, but I hate the cost.
I'd love a free clinic, too.

[naj1953]

Everything in this country is about greed....What people don't understand is even when you have a job, you can't afford high health insurance. Program like Chips don't work either and that is for kids only. If you make 10.00 more on your check you can't be on the program...Same with food stamps..etc etc..Employers keep low wages so you have just enough to pay your rent...etc etc...I could go on and on....by the time a person pays their taxes they are lucky if they can afford food, rent,utilies, gas to get to work. People like this are not living above their means. They are barely living..The programs go by your gross income, which no one ever takes home after taxes. Nothing is for free ever, not even for the poor.

[guest173]

they don't offer the CHIP program with dental in California? shame on them

[NHD16]

This is why we need health care reform. I now live in England having moved from the USA. ALL Children get healthcare, dental care and eye care without cost to us. I don't have to make the decision to pay the rent or buy braces....My kids are covered...So am I for that matter! As a modern civilized society, the USA is not equal to what other Western countries are doing to safeguard the health and well being of children. Tragic.

[mary-miami]

Healthcare should be free for everybody and should include dental and vision care as well. If you have medical insurance and you like your doctor, you will not lose him; but others that have gone for years without the benefit of a doctor's checkup will finally be able to get treatment if necessary. It is immoral that only a select group of people can have access to healthcare. Every day that passes, more and more people fall into poverty because of the Depression spiral caused by the republican policies of the Bush administration.

www.marymiami.wordpress.com

[five_david]

For those of you that are employ and against Health Care reform, I hope you don't lose your job and lose your company?s health insurance.

Try shop around for a private insurance, for your self or your family, as if you are unemployed.
You will get a huge wake up call and demand Health Care reform. You will be unemployed one time or another because there are no guarantee jobs that last a life time.

Health Care reform CAN be use as a safety net/insurance until a job is found.

Remember this:
The CEO of the Health Care insurance company needs to make money for the share holders and does not care or answer to you!

The government answers to the people, when there are enough people, because you can vote someone else into office.

How much money do you think the Health Care Insurance company will lose and is willing to spend to defeat this health reform bill?

[trixie8476]

You are absolutely 100% correct. I sometimes wish people at these rallies who are yelling would lose their jobs so they could see what it is like trying to get insurance on their own. It is not easy, and you never know what you are getting covered for until you try to make claims.

People need to remember, Health Insurance companies are FOR PROFIT. They do not want to HELP you. The much maligned government is the only one who is watching out for the people at all on this. If they didn't set some rules for the Health Insurance companies, the situation would be even worse.

[drsuz]

Hey..Wake Up.. We all are just suppose to jump on the Obamacare bandwagon? Dental and Optical are not even mention in Obamacare and yet here you are stumping for Obamacare.

[kenhamlett]

Ms Bowers has reported a problem that goes beyond the children. Many people, especially with families seldom have dental or vision care. Somehow these medical needs are the very last priority on the list. I learned more about this when exploring ideas to learn what health care reform was missing. (the vision and dental idea came from right here on the CBS blogs). Both are important preventative measures in medicine but a very large number of people simply can not afford it even when they have basic insurance.
With kids a visit to the dentist not only do they get immediate care but it is an excellent opportunity for a professional to spot emerging problems and suggest further investigation.
Kids are especially vulnerable in such matters and I thank Ms Bowers for pointing it out.