Comments on: I’m Not Surprised by #HDASurvey Results

By: Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:12:00 +0000

I think it is so great that you post about things that are important to you – like being Latina. You provide a {needed} voice for them. Good on you for being so passionate.

By: Jean

Jean — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 03:52:00 +0000

I wish I could say we went once a year, but I don’t think it was that regular. I went for cleanings, braces, an abscessed tooth, and cavities as a child; wisdom teeth, cleanings, deep scaling as an adult. My girls JUST went to the dentist for the first time this year (ages 6 and 8) because our youngest had a toothache. The dentist pulled her tooth because the cavity was so deep, it was killing her tooth. He says she has a 2nd cavity that they want to put a crown on, but she nor I are ready for that emotionally or financially.
Best of luck to your wee ones. You’re a great Mom.

By: Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell

Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:55:00 +0000

It makes sense that dental care would be a drop-off when finances are tight, but yet it’s very sad decisions like that have to be made. 🙁

By: Mona AlvaradoFrazier

Mona AlvaradoFrazier — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:29:00 +0000

We went sporadically, when there was pain. Single mom, four of us kids, money was for food and shelter. When she did get a county job (in our early teens) we went to the dentist and by that time, you can imagine the results. I bought my own braces when I was thirty eight, same time as when i had them placed on my young daughter.
Now my son, who’s not on my insurance any longer, had regular dental care growing up. He can’t afford insurance on part-time job.He goes to the community college’s dental school for checkups/cleaning with the graduating dental students for $25.

By: lisleman

lisleman — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:57:00 +0000

Oh maybe every 6 YEARS. It was not until I joined the Air Force that I started regular dental care. I have a younger sister who I believe could easily afford more dental care but never got into the habit. Our mother had dentures before she died. I don’t know the whole history of dental care (you are at least a generation younger than me) but I think if you go back to the 50’s I don’t think there were many dentists.

By: perudelights

perudelights — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:06:00 +0000

My father is a dentist, and now my little sister, my brother in law, and other relatives are dentists too. As you can imagine, we grew up having regular check ups very often…lol… I have seen how people is terrified of the dentist and try to avoid the yearly visit. I think that, besides the high cost, it´s a matter of culture. You have to teach your children to take good care of their teeth. And regular visits to the dentist will keep them away from future problems.

By: Tina

Tina — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:20:00 +0000

What a moving post. Our resources for dental care in this country are very sad. I grew up in a similar situation to you. As result, I had LOTS of dental work as an adult and I still feel self conscious about my crooked teeth. (will get them fixed one day).
Dental health has been shown to affect your heart health as well…so it’s VERY important.
And like you, I am ALL OVER my kiddo with brushing and he starting flossing at age 2.
Best,
Tina

By: unknownmami

unknownmami — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:07:00 +0000

In reply to Anonymous. That is a horrific experience.

By: Bossybetty1

Bossybetty1 — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:28:00 +0000

I, too, only went to the dentist when things got bad in my youth. My parents couldn’t afford it. I was/am a fanatic about my kids’ teeth.

By: Lauriematherne

Lauriematherne — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:20:00 +0000

That’s great that you can raise your children with good care for their teeth. And you are raising awareness of a crucial need among many poor communities, including Latinos. Our clinic has a dentist, but for many, they only visit for extractions. We provide toothbrushes, dental paste, and instruction for our little ones in our program. And regular follow up lessons about the importance of dental care. We also provide a glass of milk daily (or almost) because it’s a luxury for the urban poor to afford milk, or good medical and dental care. Blessings! May your teeth prosper!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:12:00 +0000

I loathe the dentist. Although I went regularly as a teen I suffered from bad teeth. I found out later that when I was much younger I had a adult tooth come out with a cavity. Mom took me to a Naval dentist who apparently put me through hell. During drilling he slipped and cut a chunk out of my tongue. My response was to flip out and my mom heard me screaming and came back to find this dentist sitting on top of me talking about me being a brat while I had blood pouring from my mouth. Now I am petrified to go even though I need to have all my teeth pulled.

By: Mama Zen

Mama Zen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:46:00 +0000

When I was young, I went because someone made me. When I got old enough to get away with refusing, I did. I was terrified of the dentist.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:24:00 +0000

I am quite fearful of the dentist. My mom did take me when I was growing up, but when I was in college and newly working I didn’t have dental insurance or anyone making me go, so I didn’t go. That was a big mistake as when I cracked a tooth about 10 years later it was just the beginning of so much dental work and $$ paid (thank goodness I had insurance by then to cover some of it). The drugs have improved greatly so even though I am still a big chicken about going, I always leave thinking that it was not that big of deal. I feel so grown up. 🙂