Aidpage

I am a 49-year-old female, and I have a problem I have been unable to resolve.  I am hoping you can help me.  I need to have all of my teeth pulled.  My teeth are in such bad shape, they are no longer attached to my jaw bone.  I know very well this could kill me; and I regret to tell you that I have been living with this nightmare for at least the past 14 years.
I don't have a job, I have no dental insurance, do not qualify for Medi-Cal, and even though I qualify for some basic assistance from Contra Costa County, they will pull my teeth, but not UNTIL I have "arranged" for my dentures.  
I am in so much pain as a result it is indescribable.  The entire left side of my face is presently swollen, and eating has become very difficult.  I have applied for donated dental programs, written letters to Oprah, Ellen Degeneres, my local Lions club, Kiwanis, my State Senator, Governor Schwarzenegger, and even some local dentists begging for help, or even a direction to follow.  I have even applied for employment with dental offices offering to work for free in order to pay for the new teeth I need.
In my countless hours of internet searching, I have seen mention of some programs offered by State and Federal agencies that provide grants to people like me, who are in need of dental treatment, but have no ability to pay.  I have been unable to find any programs like this; and I wonder if it really exists, and if so, how do I get this help?
My family is urging me to just get the teeth pulled; telling me that "something will turn up."  I have been telling myself this for over 14 years; and I would have never dreamed that after all this time, I would still be dealing with this deadly situation.
I am just not willing to live with no teeth; especially when I know I have no way to remedy this situation.  .
I don't want to give up; but I am out of ideas.

My name is Jennifer Eubanks and I am 35 years old, and in need of dentures.  I am financially strapped for money.  I get SSI and SSD and just barely scrape by each month.  I have 3 teeth on top and 6 teeth on bottom.  When I look in the mirror I don't smile because I do't like who or what I see.  My gums hurt all the time and my teeth, also.  I have to eat soft, mushy food now.  Just drinking liquids is painful too, and it doesn't matter if it is hot or cold.  I go the 25th of this month (August) to get the last three on top pulled.  I have been having to borrow the money to get my teeth pulled.  They are not going to keep letting me borrow money, especially when dentures are expencive.  If there is any way you can help me at all or know of where I can go to get free dentures can you let me know/help me?  I live in Alabama.  Thank you so much for taking time to listen to me.   Sincerly, Jennifer Eubanks

I just turned 40 years old at the begging of August. For the past seventeen years I have been a professional instructor for adults and childrent throughout the central valley and bay area. I was told that my smile  could light up the room and the energy behind would cheer up anyone who was feeling down. I was able to hide losing my teeth gradually but when it became obvious I begin to hide myself. I've had a bad experience with dental schools and when I had dental coverage my orthordontis passed away and the business wouldn't owner the unfinished word that went bad.The lost of my teeth have kepted me from being motivated to continued my career in the entertainment industry and I watch my health deteriorate slowly everyday. I fear at the rate its going my mother will out live me by many years and I'm trying to prevent this. I had just finally got dental covrae again in over fifteen years and they just cut all covrage except extractions. I would like to get dentures but I can't afford it.

My hero which also doubles as my partner in life, needs dental work very urgently but cannot afford it. He is 42 years old and has not brushed his teeth in the 5 years I have been with him. In his early 20's he had an abcess tooth that he went to have work done on only to wake up 2 weeks later from the coma that apparently the poisons set him in to. As well as a coma, he had lock jaw and the dentist tried to pry his jaw open. Anyway, it hurt so badly to brush his teeth so he has not in 20 years. He wipes them and washes with mouthwash, but I am sure he now has a gum infection. He has no insurance and being a single white male there are no resources except for emergency extraction services, but this is only for 1 tooth at a time that is obviously in need of extraction. He needs 12 uppers pulled and a plate. He actually pulled out one of his front teeth by wiggleing it (it was bending as he tried to eat). He does have a job, he is a breakfast cook at a small cafe, although insurance is not provided and we cannot afford to buy it. I want so badley to find him help as he helped me and my son's 5 years ago. I have 2 teens sons and I was a meth addict, living in a filthy house, being a lousy "mother" and heading towards disaster fast. My hero, with all the bagage and risks involved, pulled us out of that life and provided us with a new life. My oldest son who was in juvy at the time is now a productive adult whom stays out of trouble and my youngest whom was placed in a behavioral glass because he refused to do any work is now an honor roll student that has a resume profile better than most people at the age of 30. I work from home but I only make enough money to help make ends meet. I work from home because as my hero taught me, kids do need the stabilty and presence of an adult. If there is any help available, please, please point me in the right direction. I have surfed the web and made so many phone calls and I do not know where else to turn.