Toothache for Children of the Recession
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.
Copyright 2009 CBS. All rights reserved. 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.
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Incidentally some suggest that teeth can be cleaned and checked by hygienists at a dental school at reasonable cost and they can spot any potentially serious problems, which need prompt attention.
Toothache for Children of the Recession
Well, depending on your time zone it's either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day2010/2011. Oops......will CBS PC policy still let me post? I'll try anyway.
Notice the original date at the top-August 2009. We're now somewhere around 2011. CBS is still posting old new. By now it's obvious with the economy that CBS as well as other networks are in trouble financially. Maybe they are even near bankruptcy.....which would account for the outdated articles. Merry Christmas CBS.....Last man or woman outta the building please out the lights.
will somebody do something bout those dan.n chirping crickets?
Toothache for Children of the Recession
Are you kidding me? The article will soon be a year old. All CBS did was to move it over to the side.
Just how close to bankruptcy is CBS?
It states the kids are 7 and 8 yrs.
The mom had dental insurance 2 yrs ago.
It stated it was "Their first visit ever" to the dentist..
What??? The parents HAD insurance- didn't use it EVER for the kids and now are upset that they have to drive an hour for free care? The kids shold have been going for YEARS (age 2) cleanings, instructions, sealants, fluoride, exams.
I am in the dental field and I am always amazed at those with no ins think that means they just don't go and pay (Dr's do take payment plans-and many will discount it, hygiene/dental schools (low fees), etc.
Obviously there needs to be more access to care-but where was the mom when she had insurance? Low on funds? Try what most do-
Take 1 child in in Jan (payment plan), then the other in June.
Spread out the bill and be proactive.
Now obviously many need care and need more help- I just don't see it with
this case. It was neglect under moms watch for YEARS if they never went.
Many people have no problem on nails/hair/dog accessories/fast food/soda, but medical dental issues??? Those someone else should pay.
And no- I am not a dentist and don't earn that much.
Obviously some cases are in need- this was neglect prior...
This constant BS about kids......is just that....BS. If parents had the ability to provide for their children....there would not be a problem for kids.
The vast majority of kids who need care, were born to people to should NOT have been having kids.....because they had NO means to support them.!!!
MY BROTHERS FRIENDS ARE BIILIONAIRES!! 3.875 COLLEGE GPA, GRADUATE SCHOOL, YEARS, etc...
Kids rely on adults.....so if you want to improve the situation for kids.....improve the situation for adults......many of whom are unemployed, or under-employed, who have lost homes for no good reason, other than being out of work, and who cannot provide for their kids, unless we do something about the adult situation.
The best thing otherwise, we can do for kids, is discourage people from having kids, they CANNOT support.
"The best thing otherwise, we can do for kids, is discourage people from having kids, they CANNOT support."
You is a bigot and a hate-monger for dare questioning my life-style. Ya keep this political incorrectness shidt up and I'm gonna call Jessie and Al.