The following is a transcript of a two-minute commmentary by Kevin Lindamood about homelessness and dental care, which aired on WYPR.
Chew on this…
“The voicemail message was marked urgent, the voice itself so loud it crackled through the receiver. ‘Kevin – this is Gerald. Meet me in the dental clinic at 11:30 on Friday.’
We’ve known Gerald for decades. Throughout the 80s and 90s, he navigated the perils of life on the streets, playing Russian Roulette with a loaded barrel of medical and behavioral health problems, no health insurance, no money, and little hope. We helped him find housing in 2002, and he’s remained there ever since.
He’d often stop me in the lobby to update me on his life. New furniture. Improvements in his health. Progress in addiction treatment. Each time, he’d grin to reveal his remaining teeth – two on the bottom and one on top – before he’d see me notice, look away, and cover his mouth with his hand.
Poverty and homelessness take a toll on the teeth. Health problems like diabetes increase the risk of gum disease, and limited access to preventive care can make extractions the only real option. Sheer cost long ago led most states – including Maryland – to drop optional ‘Adult Dental’ coverage from their Medicaid programs. And unfortunately, Reform doesn’t bring it into the fold of required benefits as Medicaid expands.
There are bright spots. Services for kids are federally required, and Maryland has done better in this area. Some private Medicaid companies offer limited adult dental care at their own expense. And federal and state grants have helped launch safety-net dental programs like our own.
So at 11:30 that Friday, I walked down a flight of steps to our dental clinic to find Gerald reclined in a chair – the final fitting for his new set of dentures. He sat up, looked me directly in the eyes, and smiled.
Later that day, a staff member flipped between the before and after pictures, marveling that they could be of two different people. ‘Wow,’ she mused. ‘Look at that difference. I mean, which one would you hire?’
Before he left the dental chair, Gerald was asked what he looked forward to the most with his new set of teeth. The answer was simple and immediate:
‘An apple,’ he replied. ‘I can’t wait to bite into an apple.’
This is Kevin Lindamood, President & CEO of Health Care for the Homeless for WYPR, your NPR news station.”
