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Hi Everyone, I need some suggestions. My honey has most of his teeth missing (has 8 left). We did have dental insurance but had to let it lapse due to finances. He has got to have the remaining teeth pulled and dentures fitted before moving forward with the decision on the possible heart pump or transplant. Plus he is getting to the point of having difficulty eating. We do not have the finances to get this done. With his health issues will be a touchy procedure. I am familiar with the cost of just having dentures made (no extractions etc). I had to have mine replaced over a year and a half ago and with dental insurance it cost me over $800.00 (thank heaven I was working at the time). I hate to think what the cost will be for my honey's. Help, I have run out of ideas and he has to have it done soon. Thanks

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You can try calling your local Office on Aging. Some of them have what is known as an "Enrichment Grant" that help to pay for things to improve the quality of life for a person who is over 60. If your local office doesn't have this program, they may still have resources to refer you to. Good luck!!
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Dusti22 Sep 2018
Thanks Katydid1.. will definitely check it out.
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Hi Riverdale...sorry this thread would not allow me to respond to you. Dilantin is the medication that did me in. I was on it for a number of years (age 29 to 36) for a seizure disorder. Will never take it again. It not only affected my teeth but my bones as well. I take Gabapentin now but not for the seizure disorder, which has been dormant for about 17 years, but for a headache I have had since Feb 2016. Just can't seem to get rid of it and the Gabapentin helps keep it down to a "dull roar". Hope the info helped.
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By the way...just noticed something strange. In the title to my post, honey was changed to husband! We are not married even common law. This is why I call him my honey instead of DH. Oh well....
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Hi Luckylu...Thanks I will definitely check into that. I have worn dentures for about 20 years thanks to medication that depleted the calcium in my natural teeth. I agree after you have had them for awhile it is easy to forget they are there. I still am able to eat corn on the cob, ribs etc, though I am getting near the time that I will have to get them relined.

By the way just an fyi for anyone who has parents or spouses out there who wear dentures...if they have loose dentures and cannot get another pair made Fixodent original or free is a good way to help with that till another pair can be made. It also helps prevent them getting sores in their mouths which can be a cause of them not eating. Wish I had know that before my Dad passed away but did not realize it until I dentures myself. Just a tip that might help.
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Riverdale Sep 2018
Wold you mind telling me type of medication that causes loss of calcium in teeth?
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Dusti,
When I had to get dentures in 2005,my husband got a credit card just for teeth called "Care Credit" and made payments on it once a month and that's what helped us afford mine.The Dentist said there would be a day when I'd forget all about having them in.I didn't believe him at the time,but he was right.You just get used to them.I hope you find a way too,soon.Take care~
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SandyB66 Sep 2018
That's true lyckylu - I was able to get Care Credit to get my mom new dentures. However, they do check your credit history - I am fortunate that I have been able to improve my credit to "good" status, so I guess that is why I was approved. So it is good if you can afford the payments (cost was $6,000.00, payments are $250.00 per month). I had previously applied for a grant and they approved her, but it wasn't a lot. Not sure what they use as a criteria.
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Hi Everyone...thanks so much for the responses and advice. We do not have community Medicaid here where we live only regular Medicaid and unfortunately my honey gets too much about 50.00 per much to qualify. (we have no other income other that social security though I am trying to start my own business).

There is one dental clinic here in our town (our county does not offer much in the form of assistance ) but in talking to them they will not treat him for extractions due to his current and past medical issues. (believe they are afraid of the liability). We do not have a VA close to us and he has refused to go to any VA's period. Ugh!! I would take him if he would. We did have excellent dental insurance that paid the bulk of my dentures, but due to the fact now cannot work as I have to be with him 24/7 we had to let it lapse. I am trying to find an organization here that might be able to help but no luck. Sorry know this sounds like excuses but is just fact.

Mac...thank you for the info. I suspected as much and the operation (heart pump) that he has to have is dangerous enough in itself without the additional possibility of infections. He almost died a number of years ago (23 years ago) when he got a staff infection after having his second defibulator implanted. Afraid I would lose him this time. They are working to get him strong enough for the surgery. They said without the heart pump he may not make it 6 months to a year. When we tried to get the dental work done last year (before this latest round of health issues) they could not do it due to his low blood pressure.

But I am not giving up and am bound and determined to find him help on this. I don't believe that we have a dental school here, but they do have one in Dallas and will contact them. Thanks again everyone. Have a great night!
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Dusti, is your husband a Veteran? The VA has a dental plan.
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Community Medicaid, in some states, will pay for adult dental care and dentures for adults.
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Dusti, when we lamented over the fact that mom was losing teeth, the DON at her nursing home pointed out to us that many toothless patients made out just fine, humming their food. Think long and hard about replacing those teeth.

But yes, a University Dental School is the place to start. They'll give you an honest assessmnet.
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Sometimes University Dental schools offer free services or grants? Just a thought.
Or Aspen Dental offers different financing options.
Best wishes Dusti, hoping that you will be given a solution to this dilemma.(HUG)
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