Taking It in the Teeth
“They can’t do anything else,” said Larsen, executive director for Southern Trinity Health Services. “The ER tells them go see a dentist. When they can’t find one, and the antibiotic wears off, that abscessed tooth will come right back up. They’ll end up in the emergency room or they’ll die because an abscessed tooth is a major infection.”
Dental care isn’t an “optional benefit” for diabetic patients any more than teeth are an optional body part. Larsen said dental disease has been linked to heart disease, low birthweight and the ability to regulate blood sugars, even with medication.
“There’s such a strong link that Aetna (health insurance) has for some time given free oral health care to all diabetic patients because it is cheaper for them to give dental care away than to absorb the costs associated with managing health care for those who don’t have it,” she said. “It’s a matter of economics to them.”
“Short-sighted” is how the cut was described by Mark Kirkland, dentist and associate dean for clinical affairs at the UC San Francisco School of Dentistry.
“People will postpone routine dental care and show up in the hospital seeking care for tertiary problems. It’s more expensive,” he said.
Spetzler said a study fresh from the California HealthCare Foundation shows the average visit to the ER for dental care is $660 — almost six times as expensive as the clinic visits that are soon to be un-reimbursed.
“Once someone hits the emergency room, we all pay for it,” Spetzler said. “Resources have to come from somewhere.”
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Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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