You certainly aren’t alone if you don’t have dental insurance. A report by the National Center for Health Statistics, which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that in 2008, about 172 million people under the age of 65 had private health insurance, but 45 million had no dental coverage. If you can’t afford to pay the full price for dental care, your age and financial situation can help determine the kind of free or low-cost dental care you can obtain.
How do I find out what I’m eligible for?
One starting point is a brief fact sheet published by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research on where to find low-cost dental care.
Dental schools are a common source of reduced-cost care. These students need experience treating patients, and their work is supervised by licensed dentists. Dental hygiene schools may offer similar programs. However, the schools might not have the capacity to treat all patients who are interested, and you may have a lengthy wait for treatment.
If you have a specific dental issue, you also might be eligible to take part in a clinical trial and receive low-cost or free care. You can seek out clinical trials at www.clinicaltrials.gov.
What if I’m in financial straits?
If you’re really strapped for cash, you may be able to find a non-profit in your area that offers free care. Or look for federally funded health centers in your area using the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.
You also might be able to get coverage under Medicaid, though eligibility and services vary by state. If you have children, they might be eligible for dental care through CHIP.
What other options exist?
If it’s not an emergency, you might want to check online for discount dental plans. The plans aren’t insurance, but work with dentists who give you a break on the fees they would normally charge. Or you might find a local dental clinic that offers services at lower prices than typical dentists. And some consumers are now purchasing teeth cleaning and other dental services through deals on sites like Groupon. But like any type of treatment or service, it’s worth your while to check out the providers in advance to make sure low cost doesn’t mean low quality.
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