During my evaluation for transplant, I was checked inside and out to make sure I am as healthy as can be before being listed. That meant lots of blood tests, chest X-rays, CT scans, and more. I met with the surgeon, a nutritionist, a social worker, and a psychiatrist. Also, I needed a full periodontal exam by my dentist.
You see, your teeth and gums are a major factor in your overall health. In fact, poor dental care can lead to a host of diseases, a key one being heart disease. So it seems that dental health is whole body health. Why in the hell then, in this country, is dental insurance separate from health insurance? Why are my teeth a separate part of my body that my health insurer seems to care nothing about? Also, why is dental insurance so terrible? Why is there so much out of pocket expense? Can someone please explain?
And another thing. Does anyone actual enjoy going to the dentist? No. Hell no. Nobody likes a dentist. So what kind of person decides to spend a fortune on dental school and start a business where nobody likes them? Am I missing something?
Well, to be fair I actually really like my dentist. He’s very knowledgeable and thorough, but also very personable. And I’ve had to see him a lot lately. When you have a suppressed immune system, getting dental work and cleanings can be an invitation for infection, so we broke down my cleanings over several visits to go easy and give my body a chance to deal. I also have to take antibiotics before each visit.
You know what else I do before each visit? I brush my teeth, probably better than I would any other day. With this many appointments over past couple of months it really got me thinking. Why should I brush my teeth before an appointment? Isn’t that my dentist’s job? isn’t he the one that I’m PAYING to clean my teeth? Why am I doing his job?
The next time I see him, I’m eating a chocolate cupcake in the car right before I go in. I want to get my money’s worth.