Kristen Seeking Government Grant For Dental Work For Father

by Kristen Millek
(Paw Paw, MI, USA)

I am writing this letter on behalf of my father Jay. He's 53 years old and living with heart disease. But he needs a government grant to cover essential dental work.

He was diagnosed in July of 2008 and at that time he had an ejection fraction of 15%. He has since received a pacemaker/defibrillator to help improve his heart function.

My father has Medicaid and is living on social security, though he did not qualify for disability because he had not worked in the last seven years. He has severe problems with his teeth and had been to several different dentists who all agree he needs to have them all pulled and replaced with dentures.

His teeth cause him daily pain. It is difficult for him to eat and even sleep sometimes due to that pain and this problem has been ongoing for the last year.

He had an appointment scheduled at The University of Michigan dental clinic to have this done; however, he was informed that Medicaid would only cover the medical portion of his procedure.

Due to his heart condition he needs a full medical staff and the procedure must be down in an operating room. All of the remaining expenses he would have to pay out of pocket.

My father needs to have this done, but cannot afford the cost, which must be paid up front to have it done. He also would have to pay $1500 on top of the fees for the dentistry in order to have his dentures made.

If my father does not get this done soon I am afraid that his teeth may become infected which could lead to other serious problems with his health.

I would like to see my father smile again and to be able to focus on staying well. My father, our family and myself would greatly appreciate any available help in obtaining a government grant or other form of assistance to pay for his much needed dental procedure. Thank you for your time and consideration.