Well, this does sound complicated, but not impossible.

It sounds like at the end of the day, you just want your teeth fixed.

Idea 1)

Have you talked with a few different dentists? They spend a lot of money on marketing and often give deep discounts for "in need" cases. This combination usually presents itself in the form of "do good marketing".

You're going to need to refine your story a bit. Don't make anything up (don't lie) but you need to be able to illustrate how your "acciendent" and the result have impacted you on a deeper level.

In short, a Dentist may want to treat you for the before-and-after photo session, but only if it makes good financial sense for them. Approach local radio stations, tv, newspapers, etc. Create a media kit that you can take to several Dentists.

Something like, "Rick and Emma on 101.9 fm have agreed to have us on air 6 times over the next 2 months. The local evening news will produce and run a full story about the surgery you're doing. The Globe will print a serial story on my accident and on how you've helped me. Etc, etc, etc, etc." Then, add on that you have contacted XYZ Photography and they will take professional macro before-and-after photography for any independent marketing that the dentist would like to do. Also, don't forget about post-surgery... say that you're going to wear branded shirts saying something like "look at me now, thanks to Dr. Gould!" and participate in several (list exactly which ones) community charity events to further promote the good will of the Dentist.

Show the Dentist that you know it will cost money to have the procedure done but that the exposure and additional customers that the office will receive will more than make up for the costs.

Idea 2)

How much does it cost your company for you not to be on location? Dollars speaks in budget crunches.

It's a pretty simple, tangible calculation. Figure out how much money the company would save if you could get out of the editing bay.

Have a careful, frank conversation with your boss. Show him how much money that the company is loosing and make a deal.

Deal 1)
Company pays my upfront costs to fix my teeth, I work overtime at scale until repaid.

In a busy shop, not having to pay overtime would be a huge savings. Remember that employers typically pay double what an employee receives as salary so this will add up quickly.

Deal 2)
Company pays my upfront costs to fix my teeth, my wages are garnished for x number of months until repaid.

Deal 3)
I would like a raise, but I know times are tough. I would like to be more useful to the company and realize that my appearance is holding me back. I will not ask for a raise for x number of years. However, in that time, I would like you to match the contributions that I am putting into a "teeth fixing fund".

This one sounds tricky. However, it's no different than retirement contribution matching, etc.

All of these deals are about how you spin it. If you're a valued member of a team at your company, think of why the company NEEDS to have your teeth fixed and start brainstorming ways to approach the folks with the cash.

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