Amidst the talk about Health Care reform, one issue has gotten virtually no airtime. 

Which body part is seen as an afterthought?  Which anatomical feature is seen as a luxury, an add-on, the part that is rarely covered by standard health insurance, we can guess because it has very little to do with health.

Appendix?  No, that's covered.  Tonsils?  Nope.  Birth control?  That's in there.  Liposuction?  In unusual circumstances, even that.
When it comes to expendable body parts that really don't weigh in much when it comes to our health, we'd have to agree that the TEETH are at the bottom of the barrel.

Can someone explain why the very beginning of our nutrition system is reviled by health insurance?  While your teeth may be rotting clean out of your head because you can't afford the dental care, you can get a full physical, and prescriptions for birth control and anti-depressants?  A corn on your foot can get removed without issue but nothing can be done if you're on a steady diet of milkshakes and broth.  Toss in the links between gum disease and heart attacks and we're really being pennywise and pound foolish with this cubbyhole approach to health care.

I can be grateful that my employer provides good dental care so that I can manage the cost of the oral surgery I needed to put a stop to the persistent gum infections I've had for the past seven years.

Bless his heart, Dr. Woodmont was able to coax 3/4 of my jaw into pristine health through careful, diligent tartar removal, but could not through a number of measures repair the damage done my Dr. Aredo (a.k.a. "The Butcher") without putting me under the knife himself.  Woodmont removed three bone grafts Aredo had improperly implanted and placed a fourth at the base of my rearmost molar where the seven year gum infection had worn away at the root.

The bill came to $1400 on my Visa.  Fortunately, the dental plan compensates 80% of "traditional fees".  Dr Woodmont operates in a higher rent district though so I'm not sure what THEY will think should be the cost of this fairly intense procedure.  If they say they normally pay $1000 for this (and how can I dispute it?)  I will be shelling out $600.  It would be worth it, given the long term health benefits and links of gum disease to heart attacks that would be eliminated.  It sure doesn't hurt that my chronic recurrence of road-kill breath may be a thing of the past.  Still, this concept of "traditional fees" lends an air of Lotto or roulette to the concept of dental care.  Am I a big winner?  Or do I get stuck with a big fat bill?  This kind of uncertainty I may be able to handle, but it can keep others who really need dental care from getting it.  Those that profess America provides the best health care anywhere surely cannot be including the administration methods OR they truly are deliriously happy to not acknowledge the obstacle this places on our people.

So, my mouth has been addressed.  it's paid for.  So what did I get for my money?

Stay tuned.