Dental problems after radiation, 2nd time

ggpierce
ggpierce Member Posts: 30
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I had hodgkin disease 22 years ago, and again one year later, then in 2008 I was diagnosed with a malignant tonsil. Radiation again. My teeth were fixed several times through all this, but the radiation has destroyed them this time. They are brittle, breaking, decaying and just falling apart. I have had 5 pulled so far. I still have 22 teeth to pull and get dentures or implants.

My problem is the cost, I am not able to pay for 4k worth of dental work, and I need it done. I am a 3 time survivor, my mother died of Lung cancer this year, my father died of prostate, bladder, bone and lung cancer last year. I have become active in relay for life doing all we can with the local chapter. I was nominated and accepted to this years class of the ACS's Hero's of Hope program. In this program I will be travelling around my area giving speech's and talking to those who are involved in relay for life and the fight against cancer. MY teeth are not good looking and I hate it. Does anyone know of a charitable organization that will help me get this taken care of? I see all sorts of programs for unfortunate kids, in this country and every where else, but nothing for someone like me.

Any information is most welcome, and thank you!
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Comments

  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #2
    Hi
    GG...my oncologist office gave me information to a website called healthwellfoundation.org , it provides financial assistance, I don't know if it is just for cancer treatments or whether funds are avaialble for other issues related to cancer treatments. You can fill out an on-line application.

    Congrats on the Hero's of Hope, my neice and I are attending a relay for life event tomorrow afternoon, here in AZ where I live. If I had know about it sooner would have liked to walk, but for tomorrow just going to lend support .

    Take care

    Linda
  • ggpierce
    ggpierce Member Posts: 30
    #3
    osmotar said:

    Hi
    GG...my oncologist office gave me information to a website called healthwellfoundation.org , it provides financial assistance, I don't know if it is just for cancer treatments or whether funds are avaialble for other issues related to cancer treatments. You can fill out an on-line application.

    Congrats on the Hero's of Hope, my neice and I are attending a relay for life event tomorrow afternoon, here in AZ where I live. If I had know about it sooner would have liked to walk, but for tomorrow just going to lend support .

    Take care

    Linda

    help
    thanks for the link, I will check into it, and thanks on the Hero's of Hope, we are looking forward to it.

    Thanks for going to the relay event, I'm sure they will welcome your help no matter what it might be.

    Have a great night!

    ggpierce
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #4
    A couple of us here are
    A couple of us here are Facebook friends with a woman who I think does a lot with fundraising and things with The Oral Cancer Foundation
    I believe. I also think she might be a dental hygienist. I will shoot her a private message and if she gets back to me I will post it here for you. Not sure if she can help, but it's a thought.
  • ggpierce
    ggpierce Member Posts: 30
    #5
    sweetblood22 said:

    A couple of us here are
    A couple of us here are Facebook friends with a woman who I think does a lot with fundraising and things with The Oral Cancer Foundation
    I believe. I also think she might be a dental hygienist. I will shoot her a private message and if she gets back to me I will post it here for you. Not sure if she can help, but it's a thought.

    info
    Thanks
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #6
    Welcome GG
    Just wanted to chime in a quick "Welcome".....

    As you are already finding out, this is a great forum, with awesome people, and many willing to help in any way we can.

    Sorry, I don't have anything as far as your dental situation though.

    Best,
    John
  • ggpierce
    ggpierce Member Posts: 30
    #7
    Skiffin16 said:

    Welcome GG
    Just wanted to chime in a quick "Welcome".....

    As you are already finding out, this is a great forum, with awesome people, and many willing to help in any way we can.

    Sorry, I don't have anything as far as your dental situation though.

    Best,
    John

    Thank you, these types of
    Thank you, these types of forums are very helpful, I'm glad I found this one. I look forward to helping others as I can.
  • ljoy
    ljoy Member Posts: 94
    #8
    Dental Problems
    When I had oral surgery a year ago the cost was filed on Medical insurance and not dental since it was caaused by radiation treatment for tonsil cancer. You may want to check your medical coverage if you have it.
  • ggpierce
    ggpierce Member Posts: 30
    #9
    ljoy said:

    Dental Problems
    When I had oral surgery a year ago the cost was filed on Medical insurance and not dental since it was caaused by radiation treatment for tonsil cancer. You may want to check your medical coverage if you have it.

    thanks, I will read my
    thanks, I will read my policy, I doubt it will cover it, my policy is extremely limited and barely covers my procedures.
  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    #10
    ggpierce said:

    thanks, I will read my
    thanks, I will read my policy, I doubt it will cover it, my policy is extremely limited and barely covers my procedures.

    Teeth
    Hi GG, Your policy will probably state that dental coverage for the removal of teeth PRIOR to radiation is covered. I have just, two weeks ago, had all of my teeth removed, I had radiation two years ago. My Oral Surgeon, in unison with my rad Onc, persuaded Medicare and my supplement that this was a medical necessity. They covered it 100% with no co-pay. So it can be done, good luck.
  • ggpierce
    ggpierce Member Posts: 30
    #11
    denistd said:

    Teeth
    Hi GG, Your policy will probably state that dental coverage for the removal of teeth PRIOR to radiation is covered. I have just, two weeks ago, had all of my teeth removed, I had radiation two years ago. My Oral Surgeon, in unison with my rad Onc, persuaded Medicare and my supplement that this was a medical necessity. They covered it 100% with no co-pay. So it can be done, good luck.

    Yes I am sure it won't cover
    Yes I am sure it won't cover anything, I am hoping to find a program through the American Dental Association or something like that, that will cover it or at least give a break. I have to have them all taken out.

    I see in your profile pic you play. I am a drummer, been playing for 30 years, now playing newer country and old classic rock. It's part of my "happy time", that and my motorcycle. Here's our bands fb page www.facebook.com/wishesband

    Thanks for the reply.
  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    #12
    ggpierce said:

    Yes I am sure it won't cover
    Yes I am sure it won't cover anything, I am hoping to find a program through the American Dental Association or something like that, that will cover it or at least give a break. I have to have them all taken out.

    I see in your profile pic you play. I am a drummer, been playing for 30 years, now playing newer country and old classic rock. It's part of my "happy time", that and my motorcycle. Here's our bands fb page www.facebook.com/wishesband

    Thanks for the reply.

    band
    Yes there are a couple of us here that practice the arts of music, Brian Krashpad, Soccerfreaks, Hondo, and of course myself. I do not play gigs anymore but it was my living for many, many years, had a great time, travelled the world and met all kinds of great people, and a lot of selfish, talentless idiots, (read a certain guitar user in a honky tonk band from England that has no satisfaction)I am British but live here in the US. I will visit your website. Cheers
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #13
    Sorry
    No response to my message I sent yet.
  • ggpierce
    ggpierce Member Posts: 30
    #14
    sweetblood22 said:

    Sorry
    No response to my message I sent yet.

    Thanks, I'm still searching,
    Thanks, I'm still searching, I've spent most of the weekend sending messages and looking for leads. Haven't gotten any responses yet, don't expect anything until later in the week. I appreciate any info you find.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #15
    Hi ggpierce
    Sorry to hear
    Hi ggpierce

    Sorry to hear about the problems you are having but it is one I think we all share. I go next week to Houston to see a Cancer dentist through MD Anderson about my teeth. My fears are that they will want too much money to fix my teeth, so all I can do is to pull them. It don’t seam right as I have always took very good care of my teeth, my insurance will cover some of it to pull them but not a lot. They consider cosmetic treatment a non covered item, I been trying to explain it is not cosmetic it was all caused by the cancer. So it looks like what ever I do to fix or repair them will be out of my pocket so it will not be much.

    Hondo
  • ggpierce
    ggpierce Member Posts: 30
    #16
    Hondo said:

    Hi ggpierce
    Sorry to hear
    Hi ggpierce

    Sorry to hear about the problems you are having but it is one I think we all share. I go next week to Houston to see a Cancer dentist through MD Anderson about my teeth. My fears are that they will want too much money to fix my teeth, so all I can do is to pull them. It don’t seam right as I have always took very good care of my teeth, my insurance will cover some of it to pull them but not a lot. They consider cosmetic treatment a non covered item, I been trying to explain it is not cosmetic it was all caused by the cancer. So it looks like what ever I do to fix or repair them will be out of my pocket so it will not be much.

    Hondo

    Seems there are a lot of us
    Seems there are a lot of us out there. I have found a few charitable dental organizations that help mainly kids, but just a few for adults.
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #17
    ggpierce said:

    Seems there are a lot of us
    Seems there are a lot of us out there. I have found a few charitable dental organizations that help mainly kids, but just a few for adults.

    Hi
    GG- glad to see your still exploring different options, you have a 50-50 chance one will work with you, if they say no the first time , don't hesitate to contact again.

    Best of luck in your search.

    Linda
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #18
    UNIVERSITY DENTAL SCHOOLS
    Have you looked into a Universities Dental School? My mom years ago was given free and some discouted dental work / procedures through a University School of Dentistry here in St. Louis.

    Mike
  • ggpierce
    ggpierce Member Posts: 30
    #19
    luv4lacrosse said:

    UNIVERSITY DENTAL SCHOOLS
    Have you looked into a Universities Dental School? My mom years ago was given free and some discouted dental work / procedures through a University School of Dentistry here in St. Louis.

    Mike

    I have a couple emails in to
    I have a couple emails in to the nearest schools, they are a good ways away. 3 hrs and 5 hrs. away. My mother also done this years ago, I remember being with her when I was bout 4 yrs old.
    Thanks for the input
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #20
    luv4lacrosse said:

    UNIVERSITY DENTAL SCHOOLS
    Have you looked into a Universities Dental School? My mom years ago was given free and some discouted dental work / procedures through a University School of Dentistry here in St. Louis.

    Mike

    Hi Mike
    Thanks for the tip I think I too will give them a call as I don’t an extra $20,000 laying around doing nothing just to pay for fixing my teeth.

    I am not sure why people think that when you have Cancer you are rich, if anything most of us are broke from paying all these doctor & Hospital bills.

    Thanks
    Hondo
  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    #21
    Hondo said:

    Hi Mike
    Thanks for the tip I think I too will give them a call as I don’t an extra $20,000 laying around doing nothing just to pay for fixing my teeth.

    I am not sure why people think that when you have Cancer you are rich, if anything most of us are broke from paying all these doctor & Hospital bills.

    Thanks
    Hondo

    Teeth
    Amen to that Hondo, cancer and heart problems have drained everything I have.

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