Cheap dentists are expensive...

Jul 9, 2008 at 10:43 PM
33 comments

I'm gathering information on rates and such at the UCSF school of dentistry.. they charge half what regular dentists would charge... so 6 fillings without insurance would run me say into the 1 grand range... and then a root canal and crown would top everything off.. still wouldn't pass $1500.. at a regular dentist a root canal by it self can go up to $800 and a crown up to even $2,000.00. * sigh* I'm going to form my own charity organization... the get William new teeth fund...

33 comments

Comments

* looks around and drops 25 cents in the cup* sorry man gas prices are way high.... :(

* shakes head and takes back 25 cents and puts in 2 nickels..* i need 15 cents for the vending machine at work... M&M's cost $1.05....

Oh, man I totally sympathize -- I've had 11 root canals in my life -- a couple on teeth that needed to be extracted later, anyway. They are $$$$$$$. EVERYTHING dental is $$$$$$$$$$$$. If I still had the money I spent on dentists I'd never have to worry about money again.

But your teeth can make you sick. Your gums can make you sick. For real. Like heart disease, major systemic infections....
If you take care of them, you're far and away more healthy than if you don't. So it's sort of like paying now, for health, later...

I hope you can find a way.

I have to laugh along. I try to match my means. I live walking distance to work and don't buy anything to eat unless it's on sale, and my son goes to the same summer camp in which I work.

I remember a while back that you said you live in VA. Can I ask, what part of Virginia? I'll be moving to VA next year (Harrisonburg) so was wondering. I'm in MD right now.

Ivysgrandkid replied to Robbbiedobbbie’s comment:
Jul 10, 2008
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I was thinking of possibly signing up for another credit card if I could qualify, but I cant even manage the monthly payments on the only one I have. just got to pray i dont get sick or infected

Robbbiedobbbie replied to Ivysgrandkid’s comment:
Jul 10, 2008
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Are they hurting you a lot? I'm so sorry if they are- -

Ivysgrandkid replied to Robbbiedobbbie’s comment:
Jul 10, 2008
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one did really bad for a while but now it's just a hallow I think a chip towards the side broke off inside so thats sorta acting like a filling haha, the others are just sensitive and get stuff stuck in em easily

Ivysgrandkid replied to Carlisa’s comment:
Jul 10, 2008
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you're off mama car hehe never lived in VA tsk tsk sigh we could have been neighbors.. :(

Robbbiedobbbie replied to Ivysgrandkid’s comment:
Jul 10, 2008
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I have an idea, that may seem crazy -- well, maybe not -- You could do some searching for a cosmetic dentist in the area --there are some wealthy people around there, right? there must be dentists who cater to them -- and find one who needs some advertising (like before and after pix) -- and show that dentist your work -- it wouldn't be the kind of work you want, I'm sure, but maybe the dentist could arrange for another dentist to give you some work, like bartering -- your pix for root canals/fillings...you could take some smiley shots now, to see how it goes, make a portfolio?

Carlisa replied to Ivysgrandkid’s comment:
Jul 10, 2008
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No that the comment was actually to Kendra. It seems VA was mentioned somewhere, but maybe another person.

*blows a kiss to RibbbleDibbble* ;D

Ivysgrandkid replied to Robbbiedobbbie’s comment:
Jul 10, 2008
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the idea is a great one! down side sf most of these people are established so they do it themselves and all.. but I'm so going to look it up, even people south of the city!!

I am in norfolk, va. I don't know how far that town is from me...but i have heard of it... yes i try to live within my means too...

*looks at william shaking my head* go to social services in your town. seriuosly... you have services that you can get...but you wont apply for them... food stamps.... medicaid... there is a lot... do it and do it now...

*looks at the cup and takes out $30* you dont know but gas is high... really high

Ivysgrandkid replied to Kendra’s comment:
Jul 11, 2008
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thing is some of those services wont cover any of the work I want to have done, and on top of it they take into account the income of whoever you live with, I was looking into medical because it has delta dental on it which is really good, heck at some dentists it wont even cover a radiograph!

Ivysgrandkid replied to Kendra’s comment:
Jul 11, 2008
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grabs $30 from you , if you think gas is expensive, we have the most expensive in the usa.. premium hitting nearly $4.80, im gona drill for oil

*karate chop you in the neck so hard you bad teeth fall out* *bows and takes money* * monkey with a sign that read FATALITY jumps on your stomach to the music of Mortal Kombat*

hahahahaha

BWHahahaha! Thank you Kendra! He needs a karate chop! Hahaha!

I keep telling him to go get help. We pay taxes! Don't be to proud to get what you can! Grabs the $30 and hands it to Kendra- go get a 1/4 tank of gas! He'll just take it and spend it on fancy tea! *scowls at William*

Norfolk...I think it's very close to my mom's home. Are you near JMU? *still giggling*

*nudge* ...I replied, but forgot to clickety on yer name........see above

Ivysgrandkid replied to Kendra’s comment:
Jul 11, 2008
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*gets the gun ready* haha!

Ivysgrandkid replied to Carlisa’s comment:
Jul 11, 2008
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try getting help in this city! most expensive city in the us and one of the shitiest when it comes to these things, don't chop me chop the city!

Carlisa replied to Ivysgrandkid’s comment:
Jul 11, 2008
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I remember Kendra telling you maybe you should relocate to a more affordable area. *hides bullets*

Ivysgrandkid replied to Carlisa’s comment:
Jul 11, 2008
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I have school here I Cant relocate, and on top of it the people who help me stay alive are in this city , if i relocate id prob end up in a dead house

Ivysgrandkid replied to Carlisa’s comment:
Jul 11, 2008
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so relocating is out of the question, but if I ever manage to save up to make a trip back home before my mouth kills me i could get my dental work done there cheap cheap i was planning on that but heck cant even save heh life is too ironic

I know picking up and leaving the comfy zone is very hard, but you have friends around. I'll be in VA next year and I remember Kendra extending a hand to you. They have universities all over the US and most is done on line, right? Please don't get offended by my suggestions. If I didn't care, I wouldn't bother. I want to see something good happen for you.((hugs))

Ivysgrandkid replied to Carlisa’s comment:
Jul 11, 2008
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I know you do mama car! but relocating aint an option right now but during internship it will be great

JMU? James And Mary ??? yes its in my town I think :( !!! lol he wouldn't buy tea.. he would by "greek " cheese or something else exotic...

*wonders if all those exoctic things are making his teeth bad???*

yep !! i did!! and just to let william know... you can always transferr your credits... and you know this... excuses are like assholes ... every one has them... and you keep stayin in that expensive town... pretty soon people are going to be like we told you to move... or to do this and that... you my friend... would rather go to and expensive college take all these pics and not eat?? shyt.. something is wrong... so the most famous people that deal with the arts (books, painting, and music) thet are all dead ... they became really famous after they died... so you want to be known as the photographer that refused to buy shyt that he needed... i been done said your teeth can kill you... cause it plays heavly on nerves and such... you need your health first... school comes later... sorry but your priotities are messed..fix ya teeth ... i dont want to hear or see another blog about what camera or what person took a great photo... i want to hear... i went and look at this doctor or denist and we are going to do this... maybe... even i need to do this and it cost this much.. i wonder if i can get a paypal thing going and maybe a few people can donate money to my cause... for better teeth... or health... you got people that read your stuff... you is doing shoots... yet you refuse to buy health insurance?? or get your health taken care of... is this long...yep... but like Car said... we care for you... and Car when you gets here... give me a shout... i have like 3 friends in norfolk.. always welcoming more!!

Ivysgrandkid replied to Kendra’s comment:
Jul 14, 2008
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I'm doing shoots so I can make money.. I'm eating, haven't heard me bitch about that in ages if I wasnt I would be food is taken care of every month, I'm changing from a private to a public school, tuition will be $3,500 a year instead of $2010 per class every semester, and people dont become famous after their dead, everyone of the persons I admire become living legends before they even reached that stage

Ivysgrandkid replied to Kendra’s comment:
Jul 14, 2008
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and the way I look at it no where is cheap , might as well stay somewhere where I'm certain of food and shelter , may as well die with a roof over my head

Kendra replied to Ivysgrandkid’s comment:
Jul 14, 2008
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pooh bear... why are you taking everything i said out of the box... true there are some people who are famous and alive... i was trying to go dramatic...

anyway... this is it in a nut shell... you can hate me or love me...

you seem like a true honest to god good person... you arent scared to live your dreams...and you are trying to better yourself... what hurts is that i am a parent... and i hate reading how you have to walk from place to place due to a bus being re-directed... or your teeth hurting and you having mad colds... we dont know each other personally but because of blogging and allowing us to see your trails and errors... and even your great moments in life... i feel like we are kinder-spirits... i would hate for my child to go through that... and i want you to succeed in life... i want you to be the famous person you want to be... but at the same time its us looking and wondering why are you spending money on this... why aren't you putting more there... yes you havent talked about food... or shelter... but i was talking about the past... and from the past we learn our mistakes... i can tell your greek friend taught you how to save... he showed you a cool thing... and i hope you are able to work that way.. iwant you to get a new job... that dont seem like its gonig no where... i want alot from you... and sometimes... it is the place that you are at that makes it seem like you cant do well... meaning relocate... its hard... its scary... but who is to say you wont do well in Texas, VA, or Iowa??? i am just saying... anything can happen...

Ivysgrandkid replied to Kendra’s comment:
Jul 14, 2008
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where did you see the bus change? there wasnt any such, and you know I don't hate you lol. The bus stops right outside my house and takes me right infront of work. and yeah food and the needy things are taken care of , I worked my ass off to get my gpa back over 3.0 so I can get more aid from school and also have a better chance to transfering to San Francisco state which I hope to do either fall or in spring, I'm planning to use my left over aid to take care of some teeth workm last years aid was wasted on rent and transport in the crack place in Oakland. At least here in the city even though the money goes quickly I've been able to get the basics on track. relocating is out of the question, my parents went through allot to get me here, and trust me I know all about moving to a new place and such.. it doesn't scare me, I moved to california when I only knew one person, and my parents have come to trust that person thats the only reason they don't worry about me being out here. Oakland was hell but now I'm some place better and trust me I'm working my arse off to get out of that job, no place can complain I don't have experience , I have over one years worth . I'm applying to places that will actually be of benefit to me. It's a hard life but i'm trying to make it

i am referring to when certain events are happening in your city... it might make your bus have to go a certain route... thats all..

I will certainly holler at ya when I get moved. Have you ever been to the Sharp Shopper's store? I use to break even on the gas $ by stocking up on groceries when I got down there. They have some awesome deals. ;)

...and giggles at you and William. Get him!