Kriston's Dental Fund
Donation protected
I grew up in an environment that advocate poor dental hygiene. My family dentist was not competent and didn’t believe in using Novocain, which means I couldn’t sit still long enough to finish removing all of my cavities.
When I was 10, I had a skateboarding accident. I fell on my face and lost half of both of my front teeth. The dentist put temporary caps on my teeth. Within 6 months, while eating a chicken bake at Costco, I swallowed the caps along with the sandwich. After those were replaced, the next caps fell out two months later. After that, because my insurance wouldn’t pay for any more replacements, I went to school for a year and a half with half of three of my front teeth missing. During that time, it made my speech impediment worse and I had a very hard time making friends. Finally, my insurance allowed me to get another set of temporary caps, which are still on my teeth today.
What I am dealing with today:
• Braces:
Two years ago, when I was 20, Western Dental said Medical would cover the entire treatment of braces if I got them on before I was 21. I decided to get them. Before they finished, they then told me that they should have done multiple procedures prior to putting on the braces. Because I couldn’t afford to do those procedures at that point, they couldn’t finish putting on my braces, nor have I been able to get them tightened since getting them.
As soon as I was 21, I found out that Medical would not pay for continued treatment or removal. Because I was in the middle of a school semester and working, I missed the petition period that could have given me more options.
I have been living for two years with all the poking, stabbing, gashing pain of braces, but none of the benefits. This has also prevented me from getting other medical work done such as cleanings.
• Crowns/ Caps:
As I mentioned above, I have been living with the same two temporary caps on my two front teeth for 10 years. There are now cracks in the parts of the teeth remaining and I could loose the caps at any time. One of the reasons I haven’t been able to replace the caps is because I haven’t been able to remove my braces.
When I talked to Western Dental about getting the caps replaced when I was 20, they said that Medical would only cover the porcelain-covered metal crowns. The issues with these are that they may contain toxins, they have a high percentage of breaking and most likely need to be replaced every ten years (taking more of the original tooth away every time). Because of this, I wanted the pure porcelain crowns, but was told that Medical would not let me upgrade and that I would have to pay the full $1,200 for each cap. I recently found out that I could have upgraded, having Medical pay for a portion, and having only paid $300 out of pocket for each crown. Since I am now over 21, Medical will no longer pay for any caps.
• Root Canals:
In previous incompetent dental work, five of my cavities were not completely removed before they were filled in. This causes considerable pain, which only allows me to chew on one side of my mouth. In order for the pain to stop, I need at least one root canal (probably two), which Medical will not pay for at all because I am over 21.
What Kriston needs done:
• Take off braces: $400
• Cleaning with irrigation: $45
• Root canal #1: $1,250
• Root canal #2: $1,250
• Porcelain crown #1: $430
• Porcelain crown #2: $520
• Porcelain crown #3: $650
Total: $4,545
I am working very hard to bring myself out of a very difficult childhood. I go to school full time towards a Bachelor’s Degree while working 30 hours a week. In reality, I still barely make ends meet. My teeth have always been a source of embarrassment and pain. Getting my dental issues resolved would help my career and mean a more pain free life.
My goal is to have the money by July, so that I can start the procedures this summer, while I have time off from school.
When I was 10, I had a skateboarding accident. I fell on my face and lost half of both of my front teeth. The dentist put temporary caps on my teeth. Within 6 months, while eating a chicken bake at Costco, I swallowed the caps along with the sandwich. After those were replaced, the next caps fell out two months later. After that, because my insurance wouldn’t pay for any more replacements, I went to school for a year and a half with half of three of my front teeth missing. During that time, it made my speech impediment worse and I had a very hard time making friends. Finally, my insurance allowed me to get another set of temporary caps, which are still on my teeth today.
What I am dealing with today:
• Braces:
Two years ago, when I was 20, Western Dental said Medical would cover the entire treatment of braces if I got them on before I was 21. I decided to get them. Before they finished, they then told me that they should have done multiple procedures prior to putting on the braces. Because I couldn’t afford to do those procedures at that point, they couldn’t finish putting on my braces, nor have I been able to get them tightened since getting them.
As soon as I was 21, I found out that Medical would not pay for continued treatment or removal. Because I was in the middle of a school semester and working, I missed the petition period that could have given me more options.
I have been living for two years with all the poking, stabbing, gashing pain of braces, but none of the benefits. This has also prevented me from getting other medical work done such as cleanings.
• Crowns/ Caps:
As I mentioned above, I have been living with the same two temporary caps on my two front teeth for 10 years. There are now cracks in the parts of the teeth remaining and I could loose the caps at any time. One of the reasons I haven’t been able to replace the caps is because I haven’t been able to remove my braces.
When I talked to Western Dental about getting the caps replaced when I was 20, they said that Medical would only cover the porcelain-covered metal crowns. The issues with these are that they may contain toxins, they have a high percentage of breaking and most likely need to be replaced every ten years (taking more of the original tooth away every time). Because of this, I wanted the pure porcelain crowns, but was told that Medical would not let me upgrade and that I would have to pay the full $1,200 for each cap. I recently found out that I could have upgraded, having Medical pay for a portion, and having only paid $300 out of pocket for each crown. Since I am now over 21, Medical will no longer pay for any caps.
• Root Canals:
In previous incompetent dental work, five of my cavities were not completely removed before they were filled in. This causes considerable pain, which only allows me to chew on one side of my mouth. In order for the pain to stop, I need at least one root canal (probably two), which Medical will not pay for at all because I am over 21.
What Kriston needs done:
• Take off braces: $400
• Cleaning with irrigation: $45
• Root canal #1: $1,250
• Root canal #2: $1,250
• Porcelain crown #1: $430
• Porcelain crown #2: $520
• Porcelain crown #3: $650
Total: $4,545
I am working very hard to bring myself out of a very difficult childhood. I go to school full time towards a Bachelor’s Degree while working 30 hours a week. In reality, I still barely make ends meet. My teeth have always been a source of embarrassment and pain. Getting my dental issues resolved would help my career and mean a more pain free life.
My goal is to have the money by July, so that I can start the procedures this summer, while I have time off from school.
Organizer
Kriston Surshi
Organizer
Santa Barbara, CA