The Daily Background
| Boy from Georgia dies of toothache– because of lack of health insurance
by Arlen Parsa
Twelve-year-old Deamonte Driver died of a toothache Sunday.
A routine, $80 tooth extraction might have saved him.
If his mother had been insured.
If his family had not lost its Medicaid.
If Medicaid dentists weren’t so hard to find.
If his mother hadn’t been focused on getting a dentist for his brother, who had six rotted teeth.
By the time Deamonte’s own aching tooth got any attention, the bacteria from the abscess had spread to his brain, doctors said. After two operations and more than six weeks of hospital care, the Prince George’s County boy died.
Deamonte’s death and the ultimate cost of his care, which could total more than $250,000, underscore an often-overlooked concern in the debate over universal health coverage: dental care.
Some poor children have no dental coverage at all. Others travel three hours to find a dentist willing to take Medicaid patients and accept the incumbent paperwork. And some, including Deamonte’s brother, get in for a tooth cleaning but have trouble securing an oral surgeon to fix deeper problems.
Thank you, private health care system.
why isn’t the mother blamed??? she provided her sons with junk food and did not take the time or effort to teach them basics like brushing and no sweets. i am a dentist in an inner city medical center and most of our patients have basic dental sense. this is pure abuse and neglect on the part of the mother. I bet she had money to get cigarettes and her nails and hair done.
Wow Sheila.
That has got to be the most ignorant statement I have ever read! I am very glad to hear that most of your patients have basic dental sense… I think perhaps, you should work on your basic common sense.
I am a single mother of three. I have worked hard to support them and ensure that they are well taken care of. Their well-being has always been my top priority. My children have always eaten a healthy diet including many fruits and vegetables… Low and behold, they have all had cavities and required trips to the dentist. During some of my toughest times as a widowed mother of three, I have had to rely on Medicaid for health/dental coverage for my children. I can tell you from personal experience that locating a dentist that accepts Medicaid, let alone the hoops you have to jump thru to obatin coverage in the first place, is not an easy feat. It is extremely difficult to find dental care when you are in a situation like that. It has EVERYTHING to do with your socio-economic status, as parents who are struggling to take care of their children run into roadblock after roadblock trying to secure that care. As if the hardships they endure in every day life are not enough. Is that the “State of our Union”? When a child is born they are sentenced to death, or not, based upon the economic standing of their parents?
How dare you judge this woman until you have walked a mile in her shoes. My heart goes out to her and her family. I cannot imagine the grief she must be experiencing at the loss of her child. Not to mention the self-imposed guilt she must feel even though it is our governments pathetically ineffective handling of our healthcare system that is to blame. It is the politicians of this country that should carry the burden of guilt in this young boys death.
This is the kind of story you hear from some third world country. This is the United States of America. Our children should not have to give their lives because our government cannot seem to get it right.
How many children will die before the inadequecies of this country’s healthcare system are addressed?
Basically the only thing I got to say, is that even though it may be difficult to locate a doctor and get medicaid you still have to have the type of parents that care. She could’ve tried to do as much as you do but some people aren’t as motivated as others to make sure things get down. You don’t know how people really live until you walk a miles in her shoes. Some women really don’t care about the welfare of the children. Some women rather party, smoke and drink and hang out with their friends than do anything with their kids. And I know I know women like that and see the conditions of the kids. I know things are hard but a mother will do whatever it takes to get things done right. SHE WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES FOR HER CHILDREN. And yes the government needs revise healthcare options, and employment options, and goas prices, and the costs of milk and eggs. The lists goes on and on. So many things to blame it one, but when it comes down to it a mother will do ANYTHING for the well being of her child.
I am so sorry for what Heather has been through, but immensely proud of her for fighting for her children. Unfortunately, though, you are a rare type. These days it is so easy for people to blame Congress or the doctor or “their plight”, but I wonder - hasn’t that mother ever heard of a Pawn Shop? Flea market? Did she own a car? I’m not a fan of those Title Loan companies, but if my child were in such pain and in need of only an $80 medical procedure, I’d have gotten the $80!!! And I truly wonder if she ever taught (forced, as you have to) her children to brush their teeth every morning and night. I seriously doubt it. I understand there are different types of teeth - my sister brushes every day and still has problems - her teeth are just soft and prone to decay. But prevention is the best medicine and early treatment is the best resolve. That child is dead and his mother is to blame - not Congress, not the healthcare system, maybe the grandparents are partially to blame for not teaching (BY EXAMPLE!) their child to care for and fight for her child. And where’s the father????????
wow i cannot believe some of these responces….This poor mother must feel insane guilt already without these comments. Did you ever think that maybe it never crossed her mind that he could die?! I am a mom of 2 -my kids have not had a cavity yet…there only 2 and 6…but i have had many and have been without insurance and therefore had to suffer through one more day…one more day…thinking as soon as i can afford it i will go…and days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months-i have been there! I never knew until rerading this that someone could actually die from this.and by the way i dont know of anything you could pawn for 80 dollars!!!! pawn shops prey on the poor and NEVER give you even 1/2 of what something is worth…and maybe her car was for sale for months…but no one interested so far. You really shouldnt be so quick to judge people. Yes there are bad parents out there. period. But we know nothing about her…