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Twelve-year-old Deamonte Driver died of a toothache Sunday.
A routine, $80 tooth extraction might have saved him.
If his mother had been insured.
If his family had not lost its Medicaid.
If Medicaid dentists weren't so hard to find.
If his mother hadn't been focused on getting a dentist for his brother, who had six rotted teeth.
By the time Deamonte's own aching tooth got any attention, the bacteria from the abscess had spread to his brain, doctors said.
Originally posted by Helig
So its excusable that the parents didn't enforce proper hygiene practices upon their children then? Aren't they responsible for the welfare of their children? Sure a trip to the dentist might be pricey but a cheap toothbrush and some bottom shelf tooth paste long before hand could have went miles to preventing this situation...
Originally posted by 11Bravo
Just my 2 cents, but I had a tooth pulled a couple of years ago and it cost 150$, not 80$.
Also, Im not a dentist, but isnt an abscess tooth different than a cavity?
Jessica, I feel for you. I have been without any form of health/dental care most of my life, and its not always just a matter of 'brushing your teeth' as some would have you believe.
Originally posted by Jessicamsa
I remember when I had my wisdom teeth removed.
We'll discuss that after your procedure is over. I do not want to scare you.
Stock up on soft foods now. You won't want to be chewing for the first few days.
Originally posted by Grailkeeper
Wouldn't the child of been in incredible pain from this? Does this type of thing happen suddenly or is it a something that takes time to occur?