Unaffordable Dental Care Keeping People Out Of Work In America
A severe lack of affordable dental care is keeping people out of work in America.
Patty Kennedy, 53, is one of hundreds of people who queued for a free dental clinic in San Jose recently. She has three cavities, five broken teeth and infection, which has spread to her sinuses and she jumped at the chance of getting free treatment, even though the clinic was almost 100 miles away from her home.
Patty is one of thousands of Americans who feel that poor dental health is keeping them out of work. Patty said that she dreams of being a cashier, but her chances of getting of job are very slim as a result of her appearance. Patty admitted that her broken, damaged teeth prevent her from smiling often and she is aware that in most jobs you have to greet customers and interact with colleagues and contacts. Patty’s husband lost his job five years ago when the construction industry suffered as a result of the economic downturn and the couple has struggled with bills since.
More than 2,200 people turned up to the CDA Cares free dental clinic in San Jose, which was hosted by the California Dental Association, with many travelling long distances to see a dentist.
Susan Hyde, a dentist and scientist at the University of California at San Francisco, said that most employers make instant decisions based on first impressions and the way people look. She added that even from a very young age, judgements are made about a person based on their smile and in films and stories, people who are deemed wicked or evil are always given wonky teeth or smiles with missing teeth.
Lindsey Robinson, president of the California Dental Association said that it is extremely hard for people who have bad teeth to get a job, not just because of their physical appearance, but also because they lack confidence, which is such an important quality to portray in an interview.
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