Houston woman endured ‘severe’ tooth pain for years — said teeth would 'break in half' while chewing food. Why millions of Americans share her struggle (and what to do about it)

A life shaped by hardship

Goffney’s dental problems began early. Raised in foster care, she had minimal access to dental exams and treatments during childhood. As an adult, she never had health or dental insurance, and the financial burden of dental care had put treatment out of reach. As a result, her oral health slowly deteriorated.

"I'm basically gnawing like a baby to try to get food down," Goffney explained. Due to her dental challenges, most of her meals have been limited to fresh fruits blended with protein powder and juice.

But some days, her gums would swell to the point that she simply couldn't eat. “It (her gums) used to swell so bad that I would have to put ice packs on it,” she recalled. As the years went by, her teeth began to crack, fall apart and eventually fall out entirely.

Goffney's story, however, took a turn when she reached out to KPRC 2 Helps You. Reporter Bill Spencer connected her with Dr. Terri Alani — a Houston-based dentist specializing in implant, cosmetic and general dentistry — and Dr. Alani didn’t hesitate to help.

“(I) realize how lucky I am to be able to give back to people," Dr. Alani expressed. "It's not on purpose that their teeth are in such bad shape and that they can’t smile. Everybody should have the chance to be able to smile and feel good about themselves.”

With Dr. Alani’s assistance, Goffney will receive a full smile makeover — free of charge. And while Goffney is thankful for Dr. Alani’s help, millions of Americans struggling with similar dental issues are unable to afford a trip to the dentist.

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The hidden cost of dental neglect

Goffney’s situation, while heartbreaking, is not uncommon. Dental care in the United States is often siloed from general health care and remains a financial burden for millions.

According to recent statistics from the American Dental Association, only about 39% of adults ages 19-64 visit the dentist regularly. This is often due to cost barriers, which 13% of the population reported for dental care, versus 4–5% that reported cost barriers for other health care services.

Here’s why dental issues can quickly become expensive:

• Cleanings can cost anywhere from $75 to $200 without coverage, and untreated problems can often snowball into severe issues.
• Root canals can exceed $1,200, and a dental bridge can cost you $2,500 or more.
• Even those with insurance often find limited help, as many plans cap coverage anywhere between $1,000 to $2,000 annually, far short of what’s needed for major dental procedures.

How to protect your smile and your wallet

Whether you're uninsured or underinsured, there are a few things Americans can do help to manage the costs of dental care:

Find dental discount plans. Unlike insurance, these memberships offer reduced rates from participating dentists, often up to 50% off.

Use HSAs or FSAs. With a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can set aside pre-tax dollars for future dental expenses.

Get cost estimates in advance and budget. Ask for a written treatment plan so you can prepare yourself with a budget and even shop around to compare different dentists' fees.

Start a dental fund. Setting aside just $30–$50 per month in a high-yield savings account can cushion the blow if an emergency dental procedure arises.

You may not have to pay 100% upfront. Many dentists offer payment plans or third-party financing, and some even offer sliding-scale fees.