Dental expenses too costly for local man

By Mary Alice Blackwell

Published: October 6, 2008

There is nothing quite as painful as a toothache. If you are lucky, you can set up an appointment with your family dentist and have it taken care of right away.

One area man hasn’t been quite so lucky.

“He is in a lot of pain,” said Ruth Ewers, a case manager at Region Ten. “I want to try and get him help as soon as we can, because his teeth are so bad that he is having trouble eating.”

The man, in his 40s, had been without dental care for a while.

“He is on a fixed income, and as you know Medicaid doesn’t cover dental,” Ewers said.

The folks at Region Ten help set him up with a dentist who is offering his services at a reduced rate.

Still, the bills have mounted … and he still needs more dental work. The total is nearly $1,600.

“We have someone to do the work,” Ewers said. “And he has put some money down. But we were hoping to get some donations to cut the costs.

“If we can do that, then we can work out a payment plan for the rest of bill.”

If you would like to help, please call Ruth Ewers at Region Ten. Her phone number is 972-1835.

Microwave needed

Caroline Berry at the Independence Resource Center is looking for a microwave for one of her clients.

“She lives alone and she uses a microwave to cook her food,” Berry said. “Right now, she has just been eating food that doesn’t need to be cooked.”

The 40-year-old woman also is in need of a dresser.

“She needs some type of chest of drawers for storage.”

If you like to help this woman feel a little more comfortable in her home, please contact Berry at the Independence Resouce Center. Her phone number is 971-9629.

Readers’ response.

I have’t been able to catch back up with Amy Huml at Region Ten. She was trying to help three local families come up with enough clothes to outfit their children for the fall school session. They needed clothes, shoes and supplies.

Stay tuned and I bring you up to date soon.

In the meantime, thank you to all those who have offered their support to their fellow neighbors in need.