Dentures Needed

franksept2004
franksept2004 Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Have been advised that all my teeth will need to be removed. Anyone have any suggestions about what to do. Who to go to. Help financially to get dentures. Don't know which way to turn. Any help and advise is appreciated.

I am in my 5th year since I was diagnosed with throat cancer, stage 4. Was doing pretty good considering all I've been through but now all my teeth are bad and have to be removed.

Comments

  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #2
    possible help
    Hey, I understand. Times are tough for everybody. I suggest you look into the following... I have NOT done so, but they come recommended by either ACS or people on these boards:

    http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Support/financial-resources

    This site is put up by the National Institute of Health or some such, and is government-supported. TereB has responded in other discussion areas with some excellent suggestions, and they may apply for you as well. I am taking the liberty of copying and pasting them as well:

    Cancer Care, a non-profit org., offers free support and counseling for cancer patients by oncology social workers. They have face-to-face counseling and counceling on the phone. Support groups on the phone are available too and are moderated by an oncology social worker. Call 800-813-HOPE. They can also give you info about financial resources. Check their website: www.cancercare.org

    American Cancer Society (here) can also give you financial, support, etc. information available in different cities.

    Good luck!

    Take care,

    Joe
  • heschie
    heschie Member Posts: 37
    #3
    teeth
    My husbnd also had to have his teeeth removed our insurance paid for the removal and that was 3500. because it was due to the cancer that he had to have them removed. He has dental insurance that will pay 50% and my dental will pay 50% it is the only bill that we dont owe someting on (dentures)Check with your insurance company maybe they would also pay for dentures due to medical need
  • Lester1
    Lester1 Member Posts: 3
    #4
    Tongue Cancer - Dental After Effects
    My husband was diagnosed in 2003 with stage 4 tongue cancer. The good news is that he is completely cancer free 6 years later! His main problem continues to be dental. Lester's 71 years old, on Medicare with Mutual of Omaha supplement insurance (no dental). The problem we've had in Georgia is getting medical insurance to pay for dental even though his problems were a result of his cancer treatment.

    However, in Lester's case, it may be possible...even necessary that medical pay. In his case, the loop hole, is that he cannot get his throat stretched without removing teeth as they may break during the procedure. OK...that's our story and one we are still working on but...the loophole is there. It is "medical will pay for a dental procedure if the dental work needed is preventing a medical procedure".

    He just returned from Sloan Kettering in NY who suggested that they do root canals in his back teeth becasue they take so long to heal if you pull them. He previously had his front teeth crowned which work well. For now, even though he has ALOT OF CHIPPED TEETH they are not recommending dentures. We just really need to figure out the "paying" part.

    If anyone has ANY SUGGESTIONS...we would appreciate it. In the meantime, I'll try to update as well.

    Lester says....go to the doctor if you have a sore throat that won't go away and go to the dentist before radiation and use fluoride toothpaste. We'll keep you posted on our dental efforts but please....if anyone knows someone in Georgia that can help or any ideas...we would appreciate your thoughts.

    ADDED LATER: Called the 800# Joe suggested and they more or less said getting medical insurance to pay for dental is futile. They suggested some other agencies/numbers to call but I've had no luck so far. Still trying....
  • Lester1
    Lester1 Member Posts: 3
    #5
    Dental Aid
    Hi Frank,
    I've spent another day trying to figure out the same thing. I thought I had found a loophole in the system and was really excited but I'm still working on it. The loophole was that medical would pay if the dental procedure needed was preventing a medical procedure. The problem is finding a doctor and dentists who are willing to push the insurance companies. On my end....its a work in progress.

    I did want to share what I was told at Sloan Kettering in NY. First they said that the molars are the most important teeth relevant to survival; i.e. chewing. They suggested getting root canals because the area is very slow to heal. They did not recommend dentures but of course our situations may differ.

    Finally, here are a few phone numbers that I found to be helpful. They will give you numbers of clinics, dental schools, etc in your area that are either free or will work with you on a sliding scale. Looks like teaching schools are the best but I'm no expert. Here ya go...

    800-227-2345 Cancer Information Specialists (great)
    800-532-5274 Patient Advocate

    Good luck!

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