Children's Hospital Department of Dentistry

Recently, WCPO TV of Cincinnati Ohio did a special on how to get insurance for your child if your child doesn't have any medical care in Hamilton County.  It is a state issued insurance, usually CareSource or a Medicaid card, which is only accepted by certain doctors and dentists.  I do, however, believe it is accepted by all hospitals and most pharmacies.  If accepted by a good doctor, it's a great thing.  Otherwise, you wait or go to the emergency room for a quick diagnosis and a referral to see a doctor............and so the circle begins. 

It's worse for dental.  From my understanding you call the dentist to get an appointment.  Yes, they're accepting new patients, UNTIL you mention your insurance.  Children's Hospital has a dental department and is the only dentist accepting new patients BUT DON'T GET EXCITED!  You will need to call back and see if there is a cancellation for the month because next month isn't open to schedule appointments.

So let's say you do get an appointment and you need a simple sealant or filling after your exam.  You're given a piece of paper to schedule that appointment and as soon as you lay it down on the desk you're told "We're all filled and cannot book next month yet so if it gets bad you can come back and by that time if need be we can perform surgery if it gets painful."  Really?  So.....let me spell this all out simple so you get it-

1.  Call the dentist for an appointment.
2.  Wait until either you have pain and need surgery or hope there is a cancellation.
3.  If all else fails, we can do emergency dental surgery..........on what would have been a simple filling that has now turned
     tooth removal.

I am not sure who is responsible for this 2011 way of dental care but it certainly needs changed.  It's not a new process and has been going on for a very long time.  You can't imagine the list of providers that are very "sketchy" once you sit in the chair and have no choice but to trust the diagnosis.  Where would someone begin? 

In the meantime, kids will just have to wait to get dental care whether it's preventative or treatment of a painful problem.  Just wondering, did anyone tell WCPO in Cincinnati about how this insurance works? 
I can't imagine they know this is the standard practice.