Times are tough enough for Californians; they're even tougher for Californians' teeth.
"One-quarter of all adults and 28% of children in California have untreated dental caries [cavities]," says Len Finocchio, a senior program officer at the California Healthcare Foundation, a health advocacy group.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday, August 19, 2009 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 4 National Desk 1 inches; 41 words Type of Material: Correction
Low-cost dental care: An article in Monday's Health section about low-cost dental care said that Socorro Salazar of Pico Rivera had obtained reduced-price care at a UCLA dental clinic. In fact, Salazar obtained care at the USC School of Dentistry's clinic.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Monday, August 24, 2009 Home Edition Health Part E Page 4 Features Desk 1 inches; 44 words Type of Material: Correction
Low-cost dental care: An article in the Aug. 17 Health section about low-cost dental care incorrectly said that Socorro Salazar of Pico Rivera had obtained reduced-price care at a UCLA dental clinic. In fact, he obtained care at the USC School of Dentistry's clinic.
"Our research tells us that many people in California have been avoiding routine care that might have cost about $100 for a checkup and cleaning, and then find themselves in the emergency room, where they get only an antibiotic, a bill that can average over $600 and instructions to see a dentist."
Just ask Socorro Salazar, 55, of Pico Rivera. Worried about the cost, Salazar avoided the dentist for eight years until last year, when he finally gave in to pain. By then he needed at least six teeth extracted and replaced -- at a cost of $19,000.
Salazar is hardly alone. Thirty percent of Californians report poor or only fair dental health, according to a study published last year by the foundation, with cost being the leading barrier to dental care, even among people with dental insurance.
That's because insurance -- which often pays most, or all, of the cost of preventive care, including cleaning and checkups -- can require patients to cover more than half of the bill for fillings, extractions, root canals and tooth implants, says Wynne Grossman, head of the Dental Health Foundation, a nonprofit group based in Oakland.
The foundation provides oral healthcare for low-income children and advocates for the inclusion of dental benefits in health reform.
The numbers are even more striking among minorities. According to a 2007 Harris Interactive poll, 20% of whites report only fair or poor dental health, but those percentages rise to 40% for African Americans and 43% for Latinos.
The same poll found that, while recommendations are for adults to see a dentist for a checkup every six months, close to 30% of Californians have not seen a dentist in more than a year; 10% have never seen a dentist or have not seen one in more than five years.
Below are places to find less expensive dental care in the Los Angeles area. For other strategies to reduce costs, such as negotiating with your dentist and exploring treatment options, please see our online story at latimes.com/health.
Check out dental schools ...
