Dunkin’ Teeth

Just about every night that I am home, I make a late-night journey to Dunkin’ Donuts®. I usually get a decaffeinated iced coffee for the rest of the night, but I also buy my iced coffee (high-test) for the next morning so that I don’t have to make a stop on the way into work.

I have made a new friend at my local Dunkin’ Donuts: her name is Helen (not her real name). She works the 10 pm – 6 am shift just about every night. When I drive up to the drive-up window, she now knows my voice and says,”Drive up, Mike, gotcha covered!”

Helen and I exchange niceties and talk about our town and our dogs. The only thing that is truly off-putting about Helen is her dentition. Her teeth (what ones remain) are in a horrible state. She obviously suffers from advanced periodontal disease.

I finally got the courage to ask her about her teeth. She is a very matter-of-fact, salt-of-the-earth type of lady, and I thought our relationship was at the point where I could ask. Helen knows what I do for a living, so I thought it was, safe to ask, although very uncomfortable.

Helen told me that she hasn’t been to a dentist in over ten years. She can barely afford her rent and dog food, let alone dental care. She pays $200 a month for health insurance, which probably covers very little. Helen was not shy about saying the following, “Mike, I don’t smile much. You are one of my few customers that I even talk to. I know my teeth are bad; I do what I can and brush them every day. I know I should quit smoking, but it is one of the few pleasures that I have left. I guess I am at the point where I am waiting to have my teeth just pulled out and get dentures. But that decision will make me feel really old, I am only 52!”

I said to Helen, “What if I could find a dentist or clinic that would take you on for free or a much reduced price?” She responded to me, “Thanks, Mike, but I can barely keep myself and my family going. I couldn’t make the time, and to tell you the truth, my teeth don’t matter that much to me, but thanks, see you tomorrow night.”

How many “Helens” are there in the US right now? In the world? How many systemic medical conditions will arise? I am still shaking my head thinking about an answer or solution, what do you think?