Last year, I broke my leg and used all my savings to get through the 3 1/2 months I was off work. My dentist kept saying I needed to come in to get my teeth cleaned, but the money was an issue. There were a couple of teeth on the bottom that were really bothering me to the point where I didn't have a choice. This is what my dentist had to say:



"Janet presented with multiple teeth with advanced peridontal disease and couldn't eat with teeth in inflamed, gingivia and bleeding gums. Needed emergency extractions and placement of a transitional partial denture. Without these first immediate dental procedures, she would not be able to eat. Now, after a period of healing, she needs deep cleaning of all remaining teeth and multiple fixed crowns over severe decay, composites, restorations and a permanent Valplast removable denture appliance."

Dr. Lucero



So, I had the emergency surgery--extracted 6 teeth--and got the transitional partial. That was almost $3000. My two front teeth need attention, so the dentist did a root canal on the worst one, a post, and a temporary fix until I raise enough to go on to the next step.....that was $1390--and all this with deep discounts--better than if I had insurance. I LOVE my dentist.





There are no family members I can turn to, so I looked into several ways to get the funds to pay for the dental work, but found that the "cosmetic dental grant" was a ploy to get people into their office and wasn't the way I wanted to go, I was denied loans because my income wasn't enough (I am unemployed for the summer because I work as a substitute teacher), and my credit union didn't want to piggy back on my reverse mortgage or refinance the mortgage because it would take too long. They suggested I use my Care Credit account. That was my last resort because I needed the emergency oral surgery. I got my first statement from Care Credit and I paid the minimum, but the next payment is due at the end of August and I won't be able to pay it, along with other bills because I won't get a paycheck from teaching until September, providing I pick up work. I am in desperate need of funds by the end of August so I don't pick up late charges on the Care Credit and my other bills. I don't know how I will get through this challenge without the grace of God and caring folks that will donate to my cause.



I also need hearing aids, but have to put that on hold until I take care of my teeth. I explain to the kids when I begin a new class each day that I have hearing loss and that I don't hear their soft voices, so they should use their "playground voices"--yell at me, I want to hear them. It gets frustrating, to say the least. If this campaign raises enough, I can fix my hearing issue too.

Read more