Help needed for dental care

To the editor:

Cross Trails Medical Centers, with the sliding scale based on income, could be a feasible partial solution to having so many on Medicaid. Apparently, though, many of the area dentists are against more funding, saying that Cross Trails Dental Clinics are costing them patients. It is ludicrous to believe that low-income people can pay $100 plus X-ray fees for a simple tooth extraction or several thousand dollars for dentures. Low-income people bite the bullet, go toothless and buy over-the-counter dental pain relievers. They can't go to regular dentists. Those dentists should be considered heartless mercenaries. Letters advocating more funding for Cross Trails, while tightening up income limits on Medicaid, should be sent to our politicians.

MARY TOOMBS

Marble Hill, Mo.