Shocking Look Into Free Medical Clinic in L.A.

This is what late-stage cancer looks like if left unchecked, like many cancers were 100 years ago and still are today in the developing world. But I encountered this case this month, and Yvonne, the woman who sat crying before me, lives in Los Angeles.

Dr. Mehmet Oz writes about a very recent experience in Los Angeles. That quote above is the least of it.

Aussie Dentist

Me: Tooth face neck hurt ow.

Aussie Dentist: Hmm. [needle needle] Let's just pop that sucker out.

Me: Rnph ow?

AD: Sure, why not.

[AD grabs pliers, stands up, leans over, reaches into mouth, pulls out right top rear wisdom tooth]

AD: Smell that. [holds freshly extracted tooth to my nose]

Me: GAH!

That was my first gone wisdom tooth. AD asked if I wanted him to use one of his dental drills to drill a hole through it so I could put some string through it and wear it around my neck. While I have no plans to wear my gone wisdom tooth around my neck, I said Of course.

That is one nasty looking tooth.

Cost of emergency visit, x-ray, tooth extraction, temporary filling in cavity exposed after extraction: $290 AUS (about the same as US dollars). That's possibly close to what it would cost in the U.S., not sure, but I think it's a bit cheaper.