[Karolin Pierson]

I am a 53 year old woman who is on disability. I have medicare, but no other insurance. I am not eligible for medicaid. I need dental work done, extensive dental work and eye glasses. Are there any facilities around that does dental or vision care for free? If not for free, then at a more "discounted" price and would allow a small monthly payment plan for the services? My mouth is constantly "on fire" because of the bad teeth that need to be extracted and I need dentures both top and bottom. I also suffer from TMJ pain. My medical doctor does not know how to treat. I have seen "headache specialists". They however, do what they can and continue to recommend I see a dentist. That is most difficult, since I have no dental insurance and no huge amount of money left after I pay my rent and get my medicine for the month. Does anyone, anyone have any strategic suggestions?

[Fr_Chuck]

First I am sorry, you can and should check with the local welfare agency and see. Also you can see if any of the dental places will allow a payment plan, if not, try getting two or three of the worst teeth pulled at a time, it may help some.

There is also dental insurance , most require you have it for 6 month prior to it paying for extractions, but something to look at.

[flossie]

If you live near a college with a dental school you may be able to get your dental work done at a very reduced cost but you will have to be prepared to sit there for long periods while the students are providing your treatment. You will probably have some of the best dentistry you've ever had though since everything these students do will be checked and rechecked by a dentist professor.

[peggyhill]

See if there are any health clinics for the uninsured. We have one in every town where I live and anyone who doesn't have health, vision, or dental can go there. At the local one, it's 100% free and is run by a Catholic charity. We also have another in a big city nearby and they charge based on a sliding scale based on income and monthly expenses. They do dental work and take payments as low as $10 a month. You might want to look for places like that, look online or in the newspaper or phone book. Also, you could ask the health department and social workers at local hospitals.

The Lions Club will provide free glasses and frames if you get an eye exam done first and take them the prescription, at least in my town they do. Often the clinics for the uninsured will provide a free eye exam and give you your prescription to take with you. If you do have to go to an eye doctor, call around and check the rates, see if they take payments. My eye doctor only charges $60 for an eye exam (basic exam unless other tests need done) and he does a great job. I paid twice as much for a less thorough exam before I called around and found him! He also takes payments when people are having trouble fianancially, but really need an exam.

Also check with other charities like churches in your area. I used to work in a church office and they had money called "discretionary funds" which was used for people in need who came to the church asking for help. The ministers were always glad to help and listen, and if our church couldn't help, they would put you in touch with an organization that could.

[peggyhill]

Tried to edit my post, and it wouldn't let me for some reason. Probably my computer messing up again. I meant to say MOST not every town in my area have the clinics for the uninsured. It is not every town of course, but there is one in many towns around here.