Last year, I broke my leg and used all my savings to get through the 3 1/2 months I was off work.  My dentist kept saying I needed to come in to get my teeth cleaned, but the money was an issue.  There were a couple of teeth on the bottom that were really bothering me to the point where I didn't have a choice.  This is what my dentist had to say:

"Janet presented with multiple teeth with advanced peridontal disease and couldn't eat with teeth in inflamed, gingivia and bleeding gums.  Needed emergency extractions and placement of a transitional partial denture.  Without these first immediate dental procedures, she would not be able to eat.  Now, after a period of healing, she needs deep cleaning of all remaining teeth and multiple fixed crowns over severe decay, composites, restorations and a permanent Valplast removable denture appliance."
Dr. Lucero

So, I had the emergency surgery--extracted 6 teeth--and got the transitional partial.  That was almost $3000.  My two front teeth need attention, so the dentist did a root canal on the worst one, a post, and a temporary fix until I raise enough to go on to the next step.....that was $1390--and all this with deep discounts--better than if I had insurance.  I LOVE my dentist.  


There are no family members I can turn to, so I looked into several ways to get the funds to pay for the dental work, but found that the "cosmetic dental grant"  was a ploy to get people into their office and wasn't the way I wanted to go, I was denied loans because my income wasn't enough (I am unemployed for the summer because I work as a substitute teacher), and my credit union didn't want to piggy back on my reverse mortgage or refinance the mortgage because it would take too long.  They suggested I use my Care Credit account.  That was my last resort because I needed the emergency  oral surgery.  I got my first statement from Care Credit and I paid the minimum, but the next payment is due at the end of August and I won't be able to pay it, along with other bills because I won't get a paycheck from teaching until September, providing I pick up work.  I am in desperate need of funds by the end of August so I don't pick up late charges on the Care Credit and my other bills.  I don't know how I will get through this challenge without the grace of God and caring folks that will donate to my cause.  

I also need hearing aids, but have to put that on hold until I take care of my teeth.  I explain to the kids when I begin a new class each day that I have hearing loss and that I don't  hear their soft voices, so they should use their "playground voices"--yell at me, I want to hear them.  It gets frustrating, to say the least.  If this campaign raises enough, I can fix my hearing issue too.