MaineCare should include dental care

To the Editor;

Poor dental health impacts both individuals and their families. Being able to provide and take care of a family becomes increasingly difficult when someone is suffering.

As someone who’s had both parents subjected to rotting teeth, severe infections and more, it’s easy to say that it affects home life. I have spent a lot of time having to take care of my sister as my parents lay in bed, crying from pain.

My mother was lucky enough to get dentures, but it took years, and it wasn’t until all of her teeth were destroyed. It restricted us when it came to being able to afford other things like school pictures or new clothes. Money went to saving up for dentures.

My father is still hurting, and hopes for the last of his teeth to be fixed before they’re all gone. It’s vital that he’s treated. He primarily takes care of my sister and I — it’s become strenuous for him to provide for the family.

With the pain he suffers from, tasks such as cleaning, cooking and even having a conversation can be arduous.

Having a disabled mother, and a father in constant pain, means that family activities are limited. It’s often stopped us from doing things. It’s harder to attend school events, go to appointments or just play games together.

There’s many reasons dental care needs to be covered in MaineCare, these are only a few examples from my own story. Please, support this change in dental care coverage for struggling families like mine.

Shayden Gustin 

Garland