The Trauma of Poverty
The Dental Edition
Did you know that some of the first suicide prevention strategies were developed in response to African captives dying by suicide on slave ships?
wHy dO BlACk pEoPlE mAkE eVeRYThInG aBoUt rAcE?
Because it is. And we didn’t start it.
Book of the day: The Power to Die - Slavery and Suicide in British North America
But that’s not why I’m here.
Yesterday I had my first dentist appointment in 20 years.
Me: How many teeth am I missing?
Dental assistant: (counts quietly) 4, 5, 6…
Me: …
DA: 8, 9, 10…
Me: …
DA: 11, 12…13. You’re missing 13 teeth.
Me: …
*bursts out laughing out of shock, embarrassment and emotional overwhelm*
DA: Hey sis, it could be worse. You could be missing 20.
You know what? Points were made.
This is the impact that decades of poverty and untreated mental health issues have had on my dental health.
I’ve wanted them fixed for years but, I can’t afford it. And now, I’m at a point where I can’t afford not to. My physical health is at risk.
My consult was yesterday afternoon. This morning I have my first emergency surgery appointment. It’s that severe.
Cost: $600
And here’s the fucked up part: it’s a fluke that I have the money to pay for it. Thanks to a contribution of care from a kind human, I was able to schedule on the spot.
Usually I would have been like “lol that sucks but good to know” and not been back to the dentist for months, probably years.
And before anyone fixes their face to mention insurance, care credit or state funded programs, lemme stop you right there.
- Insurance: Don’t have it
- Care credit: My credit sucks
- Government aid: I’ve been harmed more than I’ve been helped by them
Why friends, why do I share the trauma of my mouth bones with you?
Because I want folks to not be judgmental asshats to those of us that struggle to care for our basic needs.
Either help us or leave us alone.
As for how to pay for the next five surgeries, multiple crowns and dental bridges that total $22,000? lmao, who knows. Let’s focus on one financial fire at a time…
Please send a one way ticket to Mexico and butterscotch pudding.
I can’t wait to move to Mexico where they actually value human life because ‘merica truly gives no damns.