The Back Story
According to HeraldTribune.com, a Florida mother has been booked on felony child neglect charges for failing to seek proper treatment for her daughter’s severe tooth decay.
The little girl dealt with tooth pain for more than a year before her grandmother suggested to the offender, Tamika S. White, that she take the child to the dentist. Heeding her mother’s advice, Ms. White took her daughter to see a dentist about her tooth pain. The dentist diagnosed the child’s condition as “bottle mouth,” a common form of tooth decay found in infants and toddlers. At this point, Ms. White was informed that Medicaid coverage would not pay for the treatment – which is incidently quite common these days.
Ms. White refused to attempt to collect child support payments from her child’s father. Furthermore, she failed to search for specialists who could treat her daughter that did accept medicare. Privy to this information, the authorities arrested Ms. White on felony child neglect charges.
My thoughts
I’m admittedly struggling a little with assessing blame in this case. On one hand, it seems incomprehensible that a parent would allow their child to suffer without exhausting all treatment and payment options. This case certainly does seem like outright abuse on its face. However, another part of me wondered if Ms. White had the resources to seek a specialist whom accepted Medicare. I also don’t know what the situation is with Ms. White and her child’s father. There could be something there preventing Ms. White from contacting him to ask for child support payments? We don’t know that part of the story.
Your Thoughts
Should Tamika White be in jail on child neglect charges? Is this case black and white, or is there a gray area that we have to consider as I suggest?
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Reader Comments
Dental Sunnyvale May 25th
There are many things to consider in this incident. We don’t know the real reason why the mother neglect her own child’s dental concern. Every parent are responsible for taking care of their child’s dental condition.
hannah May 27th
Dental emergencies don’t happen too often, but if and when they do, immediate action.is often necessary.If you are in pain, this emergency dentist will aim to see you as soon as possible. emergency dentist often do it within an hour, but certainly within the day. Pretty rare for an emergency dentist in Sydney! Don’t worry, emergency dentist is available almost any time, these guys are open evenings and even Sundays!
Sydney Dentist
hannah May 27th
Dental emergencies don’t happen too often, but if and when they do, immediate action.is often necessary.If you are in pain, this emergency dentist will aim to see you as soon as possible. emergency dentist often do it within an hour, but certainly within the day. Pretty rare for an emergency dentist in Sydney! Don’t worry, emergency dentist is available almost any time, these guys are open evenings and even Sundays!
Cosmetic Dentist Union City May 27th
I agree that parents are responsible for their child’s dental condition. It’s sad that this has to happen. This is a wake up call for parents to be more responsible and make a good example to their children even when it comes to practicing proper oral care.
Dory May 30th
I feel badly for the child. I think the mother should be taking better care of her child’s medical needs.
Tiran Walley November 11th
I think we should teach dental hygeine in schools,because most parents do not know we should get our teeth clean every (6)months.this would be a great place for dentist to go to NETWORK thier practice.Because
Toronto Dentist in Etobicoke July 11th
How will throwing this mom in jail possibly help matters? Now single moms will be more afraid to take their child to a dentist for fear of criminal charges.
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