7 Ways to Find Free or Low-Cost Dental Care

Going to the dentist can cost a lot of money. Many people can't pay for the care they need. If you need help, there are ways to get dental care that won't cost too much. Here are seven ways to find free or low-cost dental care.

Why People Need Help with Dental Costs

Teeth problems hurt. But many people can't go to the dentist. The numbers tell a sad story:

• 1 in 4 adults have teeth that need fixing but haven't been fixed

• 40% of people skip going to the dentist because it costs too much

• Many people end up in pain because they can't pay

Let's look at ways to get help.

1. Use Medicaid or CHIP for Dental Care

If you don't have much money, the government might help pay for your dental work.

Medicaid is a program that helps people who don't have much money. CHIP helps kids.

What they cover:

• 44 states give some dental help to adults who don't make much money

• 80% of states cover kids' dental care

• You can get cleanings, fillings, and taking teeth out

Who can get help:

• People who don't make much money

• Kids

• Pregnant women

• Old people

How to sign up:

1. Go to your state's Medicaid website

2. Fill out the papers

3. Wait to hear if you can get help

2. Visit Dental Schools for Cheaper Care

Dental students need to learn how to fix teeth. They can fix your teeth for less money.

What's good about dental schools:

• You pay 30-50% less than at a regular dentist

• Students at NYU Dental School help 300,000+ people every year

• Teachers watch the students to make sure they do good work

What they can do:

• Clean your teeth

• Fix cavities

• Do root canals

• Make false teeth

How to find a dental school:

1. Look for a list of dental schools near you

2. Call to ask about prices

3. Make an appointment

Need dental tools for home care? Check out ISTAR Dental Supply's complete selection of dental equipment.

3. Apply to Nonprofit Programs

Nonprofit groups help people who can't pay for dental care.

Best places to try:

• Dental Lifeline Network: They helped 160,000+ people through 17,000 dentists who work for free

• Mission of Mercy: They set up big rooms where many people can get dental help at once

Who can get help:

• Old people

• People with disabilities

• People who make less than 2 times the poverty level

How they helped one person: Mary couldn't pay for new teeth. Dental Lifeline Network helped her get new teeth for free. Now she can eat and smile again.

4. Book Appointments at Community Health Centers

FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers) are places where you can get cheaper dental care.

What's good about them:

• They help 29 million patients

• 40% of people they help don't have insurance

• You pay based on how much money you make ($20-$100)

What they can fix:

• Tooth pain

• Cavities

• Broken teeth

• Gum problems

How to find one:

1. Use the HRSA website to find centers near you

2. Call to see if they take new patients

3. Ask about costs

5. Attend Free Dental Clinic Events

Sometimes dentists set up big free clinics where they help many people in one or two days.

How they work:

• First come, first served

• You might have to wait in line

• They mostly do simple things like cleanings and taking teeth out

Real example: Remote Area Medical (RAM) helped more than 10,000 dental patients in 2023. Most people needed teeth taken out because they waited too long to get help.

How to find these events:

1. Call your local health department

2. Check with United Way by calling 211

3. Look in the newspaper or online

6. Negotiate with Sliding-Scale Dentists

Some dentists will lower their prices if you can't pay the full amount.

How it works:

• 65% of people find sliding-scale dentists through the 211 service

• You pay based on how much money you make

• Some dentists keep spots open to help people who can't pay

What to say: "Do you offer lower prices for people who can't pay full price? Do you have payment plans?"

Tips for finding these dentists:

1. Call many dentists

2. Be honest about your money problems

3. Ask about payment plans

7. Seek Charitable Grants or Join Clinical Trials

You might get money to help pay for dental work or join a study.

Options to try:

• UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation: Gave more than $30 million for dental help since 2007

• Clinical trials: Sometimes dental schools or big hospitals need people to try new ways to fix teeth

Who can get grants:

• Kids with certain problems

• People with rare dental issues

• Veterans

How to apply:

1. Look up dental grants online

2. Fill out the papers

3. Wait to hear if you get money

Need dental x-rays? Check out these affordable dental x-ray options.

Who Can Get Help: Key Information

Not everyone can get free dental care. These groups often get help first:

Common Questions About Free Dental Care

"Where can I get emergency dental care for free?"

If your tooth hurts very bad:

• Go to the ER if you have a bad infection

• Call 211 to find emergency dental clinics

• Look for free dental events near you

"Does Medicare cover dental work?"

Sadly, regular Medicare does not pay for most dental work. You need:

• A special Medicare plan that adds dental

• Another program like Medicaid

• One of the options in this list

"How can I get help paying for false teeth?"

False teeth (dentures) cost a lot. Try:

• Dental Lifeline Network

• Dental schools (they make dentures for 50% less)

• Community health centers

What We Learned About Free Dental Care

1. Medicaid/CHIP helps kids in most states but fewer adults

2. Dental schools let students fix your teeth for much less money

3. Nonprofit groups like Dental Lifeline Network help old people and people with disabilities

4. Community health centers have sliding-scale fees based on what you can pay

5. Free dental events can help with basic problems

6. Some dentists will work with you on the price

7. Grants and clinical trials might pay for your dental care

More Places to Find Help

If you still need help finding cheap dental care:

• Go to FreeDentalCare.us and type in your zip code

• Try NeedyMeds for discount cards and more help

• Ask at your local health department

• Call 211 to find resources near you

Getting dental care shouldn't be out of reach just because you don't have much money. These seven ways can help you find care that you can afford. Your teeth are important for your health, and everyone deserves to have a healthy mouth.

Remember to call ahead and ask about what you need to bring. Many places want to see proof of how much money you make, your ID, and where you live. Don't give up if the first place can't help - try another one on this list.

Success Stories

John's Story: John had bad tooth pain but no insurance. He went to a dental school and got his tooth fixed for $40 instead of $200.

Maria's Story: Maria needed dentures but couldn't pay $1,500. Dental Lifeline Network found a dentist who made them for free.

The Garcia Family: The Garcia kids get their teeth cleaned twice a year through CHIP. They don't pay anything.

These programs work! They help real people every day. Don't wait until your teeth hurt too much. Start looking for help now using these seven ways to find free or low-cost dental care.