Long lines indicate deep need
You don't really know how big a problem is until you see hundreds of people lined up, early in the morning, standing in the dark, in pain.
That was the scene Friday morning at the Charleston Area Convention Center, where local dentists were offering free dental care to whoever showed up, first come, first served.
Inside, more than 100 dentists, 75 assistants and 40 hygienists worked non-stop, filling 80 dental chairs as fast as they emptied, trying to assist those who needed their help.
William Gordon, 74, of North Charleston was one of the first in line.
"I'm here to have some teeth pulled," said Gordon, who showed up just after 5 a.m. to get help. "I've been having some pain, and I need to get it taken care of."
Many of the people in line were like Brian Rhodes from Charleston, who is self-employed but can't afford dental insurance.
"If I had dental insurance, I wouldn't be here," Rhodes said, as the chairs inside filled up and the line outside grew longer.
Continues today
The South Carolina Dental Association sponsored this two-day event called Dental Access Days and hopes to see 2,000 patients before it ends today at 1 p.m.
"This is the very first access program we have put on in the state of South Carolina," said Dr. Larry Ferguson, a Charleston dentist and former president of the association. "We knew there was a tremendous need. I've always wanted to help the less fortunate because of my background and how I grew up."
And the need was obvious. The floor of the convention center in North Charleston looked like a mobile military hospital as health care professionals in blue surgical garb worked feverishly to provide basic dental services such as cleaning, filling and pulling teeth.
Also on hand were 150 volunteers from Seacoast Church in Mount Pleasant, who greeted patients, helped with registration and provided interpreters when needed.
All the equipment was borrowed from North Carolina and Virginia, but the SCDA hopes to obtain its own and stage more free clinics across the state.
Unique environment
To see this kind of response further emphasizes how great the need is for health care across the state.
Indeed, it's the hard-working, under-served middle class, officials say, that often lets dental care slide when things get tough financially, and that can be costly.
"Infections in the mouth can lead to infections throughout the body and trouble controlling blood pressure," Ferguson said. "If you're a diabetic, it can cause trouble because patients aren't able to eat like they should and keep their blood sugar under control."
Also among those giving care were more than 100 dental students from the Medical University of South Carolina who were able to gain experience in a unique environment.
"Not only is this an educational component from the dentistry standpoint, but also from the heart standpoint," said Dr. Mark Barry, associate dean for clinical affairs at MUSC. "It's an opportunity to identify and see how much need there is out there."
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wildbillz50 (anonymous) says...
YALL DID GOOD !!!
August 29, 2009 at 7:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
I have really good insurance for our family. The dental coverage is pitiful though. I pay so much out of pocket and very little is covered by my carrier. It's a good thing we don't need to visit the dentist nearly as often as we need to visit an MD.
August 29, 2009 at 7:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jj2day (anonymous) says...
thanks 2 the people who helped with this undertaking,the SEA COAST CHURCHS r a GOD -sent.they also have free clinics in the N orth Charleston ares.there r alot of us everyday working people who cannot afford insurance 4 health or dental needs.thank you again
August 29, 2009 at 8:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
faelady (anonymous) says...
I HIGHLY recommend the MUSC dental clinic - my job does not offer affordable dental insurance, so the dental clinic has been a lifesaver for us! Great dental care, dental students get to learn and it MUCH less expensive! Spots are limited, but for those who need dental work done, check it out!
August 29, 2009 at 8:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jdargonaut (anonymous) says...
I agree shoelaces. I have dental insurance, yet the out of pocket is still ridiculous. For Burger to write in this column:
"If I had dental insurance, I wouldn't be here," Rhodes said,
If Burger was even half way doing his job he would have researched the averages on: how much insurance is, how much out of pocket expenses are, how much the dentist gets paid.
Obviously Mr. Rhodes hasn't had dental insurance for awhile, because my guess is if he can't afford the insurance now, he still wouldn't be able to afford the care. Heck, I just took 5 minutes and was able to find costs for dental insurance and dental plans with rate schedules for each. When I look at it, I wonder if it really isn't more cost effective to go with a plan than it is to go with insurance.
Besides for the cost of 4 24 packs of soda, less than one carton of cigarettes, 3 cases of beer, one dinner for two at denny's or even 1/2 tank of gas you can get dental insurance. Instead of saying "I can't afford it." you should be wondering "Can I afford NOT to have it?"
I applaud the dentists and students who did this and especially the organizers of the event. That was a great way to give back to the community!
Mr. Burger get a clue.
.02
JDA
August 29, 2009 at 8:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Hats off to these dentists. I have had dental insurance for years. When I first had it in the early 70's, it was great for my family and me and, I think, ok for the dentists. Over the years, the value of the insurance versus the cost of the insurance and out-of-pocket has significantly declined in value.
August 29, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
maeko (anonymous) says...
yes, it is a very good thing these people are doing. the thing i don't get is that even if you have health insur. it doesn't cover dental. you need seperate insur. why isn't oral health part of regular health care?
August 29, 2009 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
outrage (anonymous) says...
A program where I am not picking up the tab. This is how charity is done, not by the Govt. picking who gets what with my money!
What is the definition of "less fortunate"?
August 29, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mkris (anonymous) says...
What is the definition of "less fortunate"?
Dying of treatable medical issues in a wealthy country when affordable health care and dental care is unavailable to the poor and middle-class.
Gotta Love Dumb-mint and Miss Lindsay
August 29, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
Is mkris saying the U.S. is wealthy? We are not a wealthy country. We are a debtor nation. Check out the the debt clock at http://zfacts.com/p/461.html . When you are approaching $12 trillion in debt you are not wealthy. We will probably collapse and be taken over by the Chinese or Dubai. Keep your chopsticks handy.
August 29, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
Medicaid provides good care for children. It does about zero for adults except for extractions. Some heath plans provide limited coverage. Mine pays $22 for a visit. That hardly covers the cost of walking in the door. Dental insurance pays a portion of cost. They always claim the charges are too high and then discount what they pay so you are stuck with about one third. Get into areas like crowns and they pay only half of what they consider reasonable which means they pay less than half. What they want is for you to get them all pulled then they don't have to pay for them anymore.
August 29, 2009 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hill (anonymous) says...
Friday saw 700 people in 8 hours come in for help. Today saw almost double in six hours. There may stand to be no better example than this. We NEED healthcare reform in this country immediately! For all of you out there who are buying into the fear tactics of the politicians and special interest groups who look to intentionally misinform, look no further for your decision. We have a perfectly healthy family and I was paying $700/month for insurance through my company which did not include dental. My family simply can not afford the American people to relax on this issue. The two thousand or so who showed up for this great opportunity, with hopes to gain some relief, are the faces of you and me. Just think, how many more needed to be seen who could not afford the time or perhaps knew not of this opportunity. America we deserve better!
August 29, 2009 at 12:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
outrage (anonymous) says...
A tip of the hat goes to Neal Boortz who does an excellent analysis of "Less Fortunate" in his book Somebody's Gotta Say It
Neal's discussion of the term "Less Fortunate" as used to describe the poor correctly points out that this terminology is used to make it seem that:
The poor have no role in their being poor, since they are just unlucky and conversely that
The rich have done nothing to earn their money, they just got lucky
Politically this is dynamite: it sets up the poor as deserving of help out of fairness and sets the stage for unlimited taxation of the rich, since they don't 'deserve' their money anyway.
You can extend the same thinking to 'underprivileged." Again, since privilege is granted from some external circumstance, the underprivileged are absolved of any responsibility for their fate and conversely the 'privileged' have done nothing to deserve their status (again since privilege is granted, not earned).
----------------------------------------------
I agree! I know poor....I grew up poor. I do not miss the housing project in NY.
Leave me and my health up to me!
August 29, 2009 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Greedy corporate insurance companies have left our citizens little better off than many third world countries when it comes to health care.
Those who lack the resources or have preexisting conditions have little chance of ever being able to get insurance. The system is corrupt and broken.
Those who are ready and willing to turn their backs on the 50 million without health care are despicable and will hopefully find themselves on the receiving end of callous indifference to their plight when it is their turn to suffer. Those of us who have insurance may one day find ourselves in the same boat as many others who through no fault of their own are victims of an immoral health insurance industry. Corporations have no business in health care, they only make money by denying service. If your loved ones die because of it they could care less!
I favor an opt out clause in any reform that takes place. Such a clause should be permanent and irrevocable. Let those who are confident nothing bad will ever happen to them to cause them to lose their insurance put up or shut up. Such a clause will insure they keep the coverage as long as they can continue to afford it. They will however forfeit any chance for a public option. If they can't keep their insurance it will be the 50 million who they turned their backs on turn to watch them suffer and die without lifting a finger. I don't think these loudmouth knuckledraggers will sign on the dotted line.
August 29, 2009 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hill (anonymous) says...
Health care reform in no way means that we are catering to the "underprivileged". Nor does it mean that your health care choices will not be left up to you. That is simply useless rhetoric.
Whether you have insurance or not, we (Americans) are paying a ridiculous price, in a multitude of ways, with regard to healthcare. The insurance companies are making money (billions/year) on the backs of the bruised and leaving more destruction in their wake than the problems they are able to help contain.
If you believe that things are somehow just fine, then I suggest that first you begin with a stiff pinch to your own flesh to check and see if you are a human being. If you've successfully passed that test, congratulations and welcome to the human race where condition of misfortune, situation, disease, sickness and poverty know no bounds.
What this really means is that you and your family are a prime candidate to have any of the aforementioned bestowed upon you. So careful what you wish for!
I do not nor have I ever considered myself underprivileged. I've been at the top of my profession in broadcasting since my early twenties; two Emmy Award nominations and an Emmy Award before the age of 30. However, I am, acutely, aware that we are all connected. You can be sure that whatever affects the weakest members of our tribe will most definitely affect us all.
Healthcare reform isn't a matter of a fly by night decision and arguably a few more tax dollar being reallocated. This is strictly a matter of human interest. It doesn't matter what your income level is, it should be unacceptable to sit by, idly, and watch any human being suffer. It is unacceptable to be aware of these things and your primary concern be of your taxes or choices being narrowed for your "privileged" behinds! That mentality is simply shameful!
August 29, 2009 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jdargonaut (anonymous) says...
The government is not the one who should be stepping to the plate! I already donate a lot of money and time to a lot of different charities and do not agree with this health care reform. Why can't the government take care of our veterans first? Why does the government insist on fixing healthcare but yet fail to take care of the very individuals who fought for most of you to push this issue. Hell, the folks that are retired military were promised free healthcare for the rest of their lives. That definately didn't happen, not in the least. If the president pushes this through (as in pushing it down our collective throats), then the retired military needs to get more money for their retirement. They deserve the best, not the second class status that they are getting right now.
.02
JDA
August 29, 2009 at 6:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestowne2 (anonymous) says...
President Obama has been in office 7 months and you are going to blame problems our veterans have on him? Where were you the last 8 years when Bush was in office? Was everything fine then? Any problmes with the VA can be fixed as the problems with the health care system fixed. Every American deseves decent health care and that is the goal.
August 29, 2009 at 11:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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