I joke with my dentist that I hate snakes and dentists. My phobia has nothing to do with his skill. He has never hurt me like one of my previous dentists did. He has a gentle touch that I greatly appreciate. What I really hate is the fact that I have never had dental insurance and every dime I have ever spent at the dentist came from my own funds. I seriously do not understand why teeth and eyes are not considered part of our bodies when it comes to medical insurance. I mean who thought of those things as somehow being different?

I’ve been seeing dentists since I was a toddler. The first one who kept my teeth in good shape worked with only children but he was quite brutal with me. For some reason I had lots of cavities even though I rarely had sugary treats and my mother insisted on keeping my oral hygiene at the forefront of my daily routines. In spite of her efforts to keep me cavity free I seemed to require one filling after another with great regularity. 

My mom did not realize that the dentist would yell at me during the examinations. I was too quiet and shy to say anything about his abusive behavior but I learned to dread visiting him in a way that has followed me into my adult life. It was not until he went after me when I brought my rosary into the examination room that I was able to be freed from his anger. I was only praying that the event would not be as painful as it always was and for some reason the dentist became belligerent at the very idea that I thought I needed divine intervention. He called my mother into the room and demanded to know what was going on. The entire episode showed Mama that he was definitely not the person who should be taking care of children. She removed me immediately and never again took me back. 

The next dentists I had were all quite good, patient and mostly pain free. Sadly the trauma of my youth never left me. Surprisingly I did not seem to have as many cavities with the new guys. I pretty much went through life with good bills of dental health until it was time to take out my wisdom teeth, an act that terrified me and should not have. The dentist I had at the time had a magical touch. The teeth were out before I even knew he was getting started. Unfortunately one of the four that I had was twisted around a nerve and so it has never been taken out lest I end up with damage that would leave my mouth eternally numb. 

That wisdom tooth has been the source of cavities, root canals and eventually a major need for an implant. That procedure was months long because I needed a bone graft before the implant would be successfully placed. All along the way the dentists who have worked with me have been incredibly professional and understanding of my fears. I have never once been hurt by any of them but my dread of dental work stays firm. Perhaps it is the cost of the procedures that fills me with horror for I have never had dental insurance. Tens of thousands of dollars have been invested in my teeth when buying promising stocks would have been a better way of using my funds. Sadly I had no choice but to keep my mouth healthy. 

What has never been adequately explained to me is why my teeth as well as my eyes are not covered by regular health insurance. Surely they are part of my physical body and whatever happens to them will have an effect on my general health. It has been clearly documented that dental health or lack of it is closely related to heart troubles. It make no sense to have these two aspects of my anatomy classified as nonentities when it comes to health insurance. Who came up with that idea and why haven’t we as citizens raised the roof about the unfairness of this strange kind of thinking?

I had a dear German friend who would go back to Bremen each year to have all of his dental needs provided. He laughingly noted that getting such services for free paid the cost of his flight. He not only did not understand why Americans had separate insurance for teeth and eyes but he was totally confused as to why we did not have universal health insurance for everyone. He found it quite interesting that we seemed to be so adverse to the idea of a national health insurance program. 

The truth is that American healthcare is really upside down and inside out. Doctors’ offices are filled with elderly people on Medicare and some poor people on Medicaid but the average working person who is purchasing health insurance can only afford to see a doctor for the most serious reasons. As a senior citizen I can see my gastroenterologist for twenty dollars. If I need an endoscopy or colonoscopy the total bill will be way less than one hundred dollars. Sadly my grandson who is experiencing some concerning health issues will have to pay six thousand dollars for his tests even after his health insurance pays its portion. This bill does not even include the fees that he will ultimately have to pay to the anesthesiologist.

Why do we Americans hold on tightly to a system that seems to be so unfair? The cost of health insurance is skyrocketing and in many cases people can’t afford to use it until symptoms become frightening. We pay extra for our eyes and for our teeth and see that as being natural when citizens in other advanced nations are enjoying the health perks that my German friend used with regularity. Perhaps it is long past time to repair our system that doesn’t t always make sense instead of staying with the old ways out of fear that trying new ideas will be even worse. Surely there is a better fairer way for all. None of us should hate dentists and snakes simply because dental work is so expensive.