Those with dental insurance, even the lousy kind which only provides a few bucks off, likely are clueless about what could and often does happen to those without dental insurance and, more particularly, those at economic rock bottom.
The Horror. A 50-year-old neighbor Susan Mazella told me her story, at least as best she could. Her left bottom gum is inflamed and she is in great pain. Because of an underlying psychiatric condition, she has been SSI disability since 1992. She sensed she required attention to one tooth. The powers-that-be at The University of Connecticut Health Center School of Dental Medicine informed her that three had to come out - all at one time. For this woman, who has a history of depression and lives in subsidized housing in New Haven, CT, this Center seemed to be the only "gas station in the desert." A brandname in health, the powers-that-be had to be right, right.
Maybe not so. Before she went for the three extractions, I warned her:
- Get a second opinion via the x-rays and mouth check if three had to be extracted
- Verify with a cardiologist if your heart could stand up to three extractions at one time
- Inquire what would be given for pain. Those with a history of depression usually have a low thresh-hold for pain.
- What would be the call and/or email follow-up?
Like most of the poor who endure the stigma of mental illness, she marched meekly to have this all done. She did ask, she tells me, one question: Would a dentist be doing the procedures. She reports "they" laughed. She was informed that a dental student Zak Goldman [978-273-5792] would be performing the extractions. The supervising dentists were Dr. Michael Goupil, Dr. Regina Landesberg, Dr. Joseph Piecuch, and Dr. David Shafer.
After the extractions, which may or may not have been necessary and probably shouldn't have been done in one sitting, Susan was in unbearable pain. Her gums were inflamed but the worst was the one on the left side. She called Zak Goldman about the pain. He did not return her call for two hours. He left a voice message that she should call the after-hours number 860-679-3300.
For pain, she had been given 600 milligrams of Motrin. Her After-Surgery Instructions specified that the day after surgery, "You may start rinsing frequently and after meals with warm water or mild salt solution." Would a middle-class consumer be sent away with this kind of follow-up care? More to the point, and to me it seems a legal point: Would three teeth be selected to be pulled and would the "job" be done all at once. A professional in the loop in social work suggested that the student dentist might have had a quota to fill in order to be certified for extraction work. Here was this woman along, on SSI, and with a history of mental illness. Why not her? She's invisible in the system and likely will simply endure silently what the system does to her or doesn't do for her.
So sharp was the pain that Susan wakes up in pain every three hours. She had to cancel her psychiatrist appointment and was unable to fill out the processing forms for Vocational Rehabilitation. What kind of setback will this be to her psychiatric recovery and attempt to return to the workforce.
I ask an investigation of why human beings in one of the wealthiest states in the nation are treated in this manner. I sense that Susan Mazzell's right's in the health care system have been violated. Because we do have laws in place to punish them who allegedly participate in these possible crimes against humanity, Susan can bring her pain and suffering to a personal injury lawyer.
I have suggested that Susan Mazzella contact one lawyer. Those who wish to provide her a consultation about her rights can reach her at 203-468-2181, SusanMaz@aol.com. In addition, I ask that our aggressive state attorney general Richard Blumenthal look into health care in CT.
In this economy, Susan Mazzella is Everywoman and Everyman.