Reference no: EM133431596
A bedridden 61-year old African American man is in desperate need of a dentist because he has severe pain due to irritation of his gums as as result of ill-fitting dentures and tooth decay. He is unable to sit up after a severe back injury due ti a fall. His only living relative, his adult son, has contacted several dentists in the community where he resides, only to be told that none of these offices in his area are able to accept bedridden patients. The man is also uninsured. He cannot afford to be seen in the emergency department, nor can he afford home dentistry, which uses mobile dental equipment. He is not eligible for medicare because he is not 65 years old, he has not begun to collect social security yet, and he is not considered permanently disabled. His son does not have money to assist his father.
Eventually, his pain become unbearable. He is taken via ambulance to the hospital and receives a substantial bill for the emergency dental work and the ambulance transportation cost. In a subsequence follow-up visit to the emergency department by ambulance, the dentist determines that scale new dentures are unaffordable for him and his current ill-fitting set have caused substantial tooth decay, removing all if his remaining teeth would be the best option to resolve his problem. The patient and his sin agree, as they see no alternative.
The case title is "The silent Epidemic."
Discussion Entry Title/Subject: Title of Case Study as listed in the book
Topic Summary
In your own words summarize the case study (issue, population affected)and your thoughts regarding the topic/issue discussed (ex: have you ever considered that issue/perspective, what did you learn)
Topic Discussion
Briefly discuss the health disparity (ies) discussed in the commentary and how these are shaped by social determinants of health especially for the affected population (work to connect this to our readings to date and support with one credible source. Ex: Ch. 6, 9 readings)
Topic Implications
Describe two distinct solutions for your case study scenario (support with credible sources)
Provide one questions that your peers can respond to as it relates to this case study