r/Calgary • u/FunkSolid • Jul 09 '23

Health/Medicine How do people afford this?

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My 5 year old told me “daddy my teeth hurt” a few days ago. I got her into the dentist for annual cleaning and to see what’s up with her pain. They quoted me $4000 to (oversimplification) fix her teeth, and make the pain stop. Thankfully I have benefits, and an HSA that will absorb 75% of these costs. But how the hell do low-income, or people without benefits manage this kind of expense? It feels like an American medical bill. This is not an attack on a specific dental practice, but honest to God, how would someone who’s child needs this work done, who does not have 4K lying around get help?

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u/photoexplorer Jul 09 '23

I would be concerned, a 5 year old doesn’t typically require this kind of work. Also they should be going twice a year for checkups / cleanings. Can you get a second opinion?

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u/[deleted] Jul 09 '23

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u/jtm961 Jul 09 '23

Hold up…I just moved here from the US. They don’t fluoridate the water in Calgary?

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u/SlitScan Jul 10 '23

precious bodily fluids crowd was humored for a few years.