Let's say you know a family that does not have a lot of material wealth. The parents work minimum wage retail-type jobs. The kids are all overweight and spend most of their time playing video games and watching TV. Very sedentary lifestyle with a terrible diet -- lots of chips, soda, and junk food but very little in the way of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, etc.
This is a nice family. They make different choices than your family in what they allow their kids to be exposed to (a 9 year old who watches South Park?) but in general the kids are polite and kind, your kids like them, and you like the kids too.
Now let's say one of the kids needs a dentist. Teeth are becoming discolored and need at the very least a good cleaning. Possibly braces and fillings, etc too.
How exactly does one approach this situation? Or do you just leave it alone and hope somehow someone else gets him the dental care he needs?
Any advice on this would be appreciated.
Hypothetically, of course.
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How well do you hypothetically know them? If you feel really comfortable, I'd just tell the parent straight out...and remind them of the Salvation Army dental clinic in town if the $$ is an issue.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't know them well enough to be very blunt like that, I would say something about an article on dental hygiene you read and how so many dental problems in adulthood can be stopped if there's early intervention. Was an interesting article, blah blah and hope she takes the hint.
Tough one...I guess this family has never scene the TV show, "Honey, We're Killing Kids." I have heard that some dentists do pro bono work. Ask around, maybe a dentist in your area can provide this service.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've also heard something about dental students providing low-cost services as part of their education -- available through community colleges, etc.
ReplyDeleteI had a friend in college once who was one of those head in the clouds math geniuses. He had a visible cavity in one of his front teeth. It was really hard to be around. Plus I've been seeing more and more about how problems with the teeth and gums are associated with things like heart problems, diabetes, etc. It's hard to risk offending people, but also hard to see them risking serious health issues.
Good luck! Hypothetically, of course.