Dental access is an American 'crisis': Here's how those vulnerable are shut out.

There’s a great divide for Americans who need dental care, with some forced to live with pain and shame while others flash five -figure veneers.

The government offers no backup plan for the tens of millions without dental insurance.

Having dental insurance often does not amount to financial security if you have extensive needs.

Nearly 69 million U.S. adults did not have dental insurance or access to routine oral health care last year .

With medical insurance, once people reach their deductible, all necessary care at hospitals and with in-network doctors is largely covered.

With dental insurance, the coverage tends to run out quickly after a certain range or a few thousand dollars .

Betty Lowe , of Jellico , Tennessee , never had consistent access to oral health care.

Her husband's employer does not offer dental insurance, and Lowe relies on that since she is raising the couple's children.

She was ecstatic last year when Tennessee expanded dental benefits to adults who qualify for TennCare .

Dental office workers told her another option would be to apply for a bank loan.