A child's neglected teeth

"L" is the biological sister of our adopted daughter. Although we have no legal status in her life, we have welcomed her in our home on a regular basis since adopting her sister almost 6 years ago. 

In those years, L has had no dental care, no cleanings or oral exams, no sealants or even fluoride rinses. Now, at 14, when her dental pain could not be ignored, a trip to the dentist revealed that she has 6 cavities and 3 abcesses that require root-canals. 

Dentists that accept her Medicaid are few and far between. The one who saw her did fill some of the cavities, but the root-canals, if the Medicaid coverage is even approved, involve a 4-6 month wait. 

We spent today cancelling our Thanksgiving plans because her weeping and sobbing with tooth pain were uncontrollable. This in spite of the antibiotics and pain medicine prescribed by the dentist.

My husband and I are retired and not wealthy. We could get her in to see a private endodontist without such a long wait, but cannot afford what that would cost. 

She is an intelligent and multi-talented child whose education we have been actively encouraging. If she has to have several teeth extracted for lack of the proper treatment I think the gaps in her smile will negatively impact her bright career opportunities, as well as the health of her mouth.

Please help if you can, even a little bit.