For those who have chosen to assist me with my Dental needs...

For the past 4-5years since Covid and I no longer had my art gallery or living space in Big Sur, I needed to go on Medi-Cal to have some dental work done.

The past four years I have been to MANY dentists in that system and each one needed to try and complete the work done by the previous ones. Needless to say that turned out to be quite a “fiasco”.

Some things were approved and others not, for example.

Extraction was approved, but most caps were not.

Some of the caps that were approved were put over teeth which had not been fully cleared of decay which continued to decay but could not be seen, which resulted in trouble with gums.

Fillings kept falling out and another dentist would replace it with a different type of filling.

A couple were chipped, some filed down too short.

The last thing that I was told was only extractions were approved and a couple fillings which meant that I would be losing about 5-6 teeth which could have been fixed with caps. Those teeth were up front on top, which meant that I would be toothless in many places.

I had a meltdown, the fear was almost unbearable (being honest here) nowhere to turn.

I did not know I could turn to my community until it was brought to my attention, for I had never been part of any community up until this time and was so unfamiliar with love and support.

With the help of friends, I have explored different options and can say we have exhausted the resources that Medi-Cal or Medicare can offer. I found a wonderful, local dentist outside those networks who treats me kindly and with respect, and can complete the work in stages at their lowest available "family rate." He is confident he can save my teeth.

The amount this financial endeavor will require is beyond my comprehension, and I am aware that it may not fully happen. However the depth of my appreciation and gratitude for that which any loving soul of this community has chosen to donate can only be measured by the depth of release of the fear that knowing this has provided for my very soul…

Peace & love for all of you,

adonna

P.s. the purpose for this detailed letter was not for a story, but rather to let you know I have done my best to be responsible for my teeth with all that I had available at the time.