p4wnc6 comments on More shameless ploys for job advice - Less Wrong

3 Post author: p4wnc6 06 October 2011 04:08AM

You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.

Comments (26)

You are viewing a single comment's thread. Show more comments above.

Comment author: p4wnc6 06 October 2011 04:55:29AM 1 point [-]

For a consult, x-rays, a cleaning, and 3 fillings in the greater Boston area, it was more than $750 dollars, and in the last calendar year I also required a crown and I am still paying off the debt on that. In total it was more than $1200. That may not seem like a lot, but on a graduate student stipend, that is a lot even spread out over 12+ months. In general, though, I don't have access to funds that would cover dental emergencies. I try to take good care of my teeth, but having a fall back plan of "I'll just pay out of pocket at a cheap dentist" seems bad to me.

Comment author: [deleted] 06 October 2011 05:09:37AM 0 points [-]

I understand your concern, but it may unrealistic to have your security cake and eat it too. Do you have a reason to believe dental emergencies will occur in the near future?

Comment author: wedrifid 06 October 2011 05:19:27AM 7 points [-]

I understand your concern, but it may unrealistic to have your security cake and eat it too. Do you have a reason to believe dental emergencies will occur in the near future?

Well, given the amount of cake he's eating...

Comment author: p4wnc6 06 October 2011 05:13:48AM 0 points [-]

Isn't one of the main points of insurance specifically to have financial security for things you can't predict? Hedging against health risk? I don't think I will be abnormally prone to dental problems in the next year, but we're also talking about lack of dental insurance for the next 3-4 years, over which it is more likely that I will need things that would massively cheaper with insurance than without. I also don't have much of a lifeline with extended family; they couldn't really afford to help much.

Comment author: [deleted] 06 October 2011 05:17:37AM 1 point [-]

I went without a dental appointment for 13 years before this one. I've heard similar numbers from many friends. You may be overestimating the likelihood of a problem, especially if you are young. Are your wisdom teeth out already?