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Dental assistance programs for people in need (low income, no dental insurance, etc...). - How to find programs and clinics near you.

Locating dental assistance.

This page has been set up to help people who have limited financial resources (low income, no dental insurance, etc...) to locate assistance programs in their area that can help them to obtain affordable dental care.

What levels of assistance are available?

It just depends on where you live and your personal circumstances.

  • Some organizations and clinics have programs set up to provide free dental care. For some of them, you must qualify (according to income level or where you live) but not all (see Mission of Mercy link below).
  • Other assistance programs support those in need by providing their dental services at a reduced cost. (How much of a reduction is frequently a sliding scale based on the patient's income level and possibly where they live.)

 

How do you find out about the programs near you?

Try your state dental association's website.

One good place to start looking for local assistance programs is on the website of your state's dental association (see table below).

These sites frequently feature a web page where they list the contact information for programs set up to assist at-risk or low-income persons in their state. We link directly to many of these pages in our table below.

What other resources might you use?

a) The Bureau of Primary Health Care.

As a part of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Bureau provides support for federally-funded community health centers that offer free or reduced-cost health care, including dental.

This page on the HRSA website can help you to locate a center near you.

b) State Medicaid and CHIP programs.

Federal law requires states to provide dental services for children covered by Medicaid. Whether a program offers coverage for adults is up to each individual state.

State-run CHIP programs (set up to help with dental care for children who are members of families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid) may be a source of aid for minors.

Use these pages Medicaid.gov | InsureKidsNow.gov to find out more about both of these programs.

c) Your local health department.

An excellent place to look for information about those assistance programs nearest you is your city or county's health department. These offices are typically very knowledgeable about what programs exist in their jurisdiction and can help to steer you toward them.

d) Mission of Mercy.

Generally speaking, Mission of Mercy dental clinics are organized on a state-by-state basis. The services they provide are free, but typically limited by the time frame during which they're offered, and location. (Frequently a state will have just one MOM clinic per year, in a different city each year.)

For information about MOM clinics use this link.

e) Dental Lifeline Network.

This organization runs the Donated Dental Services (DDS) program. It provides free, comprehensive dental treatment for people with disabilities or who are elderly or medically compromised and cannot afford necessary treatment and are not eligible for public aid.

f) The United Way.

Your local branch of the United Way may be aware of programs or clinics that offer free or reduced-cost dental services near you.

g) Dial 211.

Telephone number 211 is designated by the Federal Communications Commission to be used as a source of information about health and human services in your local area. Not all areas provide this service but there's no reason not to investigate.

h) Your child's school.

If you're looking for programs set up to assist low-income families with the cost of dental work for their children, don't overlook contacting the office of their school's nurse.

 

i) Dental Schools.

Dental schools are generally known for offering their services at a reduced cost. In some cases, they may have additional programs or clinics set up specifically for low-income, no-insurance individuals. (Listing of US dental schools.)

While there are only about 65 schools that train dentists, there are a few hundred dental hygiene programs. They too typically offer reduced-cost services, although usually just for preventive dental procedures. However, they're likely to be knowledgeable about assistance programs in your area where you might obtain the remainder of the treatment you need. (List of US dental hygiene schools.)

j) ObamaCare / The Affordable Care Act

Some healthcare plans sold through the Affordable Care Act's marketplaces include dental coverage. (Dental coverage that's not a stand-alone policy.)

If you have chosen one of these combination plans and your income level qualifies you for a premium tax credit, it will apply to both your health and dental coverage (since only a single premium is paid for the policy).

When it comes to extensive dental work, you may find the level of dental benefits paid by these types of policies to be limited. You'll simply have to investigate what's available to you.

k) Organizations that you or your friends are a part of.

To whatever level you feel comfortable, don't overlook letting your needs be known to those you know.

Organizations like your church, community group, etc..., may have a dentist member, or a member who is friends with one or funds available to provide assistance to those in need. Bottom line, people (including dentists and organizations) like helping people they know or feel are deserving.

Help us fill out this table.

If you know of any dental programs (state, county or even city level) whose target population is low-income uninsured adults, seniors and/or children and would like to share it with others, we'd be happy to add it to our table. Just send the information to the email address on our Contact Us page.

How to use our table to find a dental assistance program or clinic near you.

Scroll down our table until you find your state, and then investigate the links we've posted.

  • Even if your state's association doesn't seem to provide any information, you should email them. Just because they don't have anything posted doesn't mean they aren't aware of any programs, or know someone who might.
  • Even if the people at the state level aren't of any help, ask them for the contact information for your area's local branch of their organization.

    All state dental associations are composed of individual sub-districts (typically set up according to metropolitan area, county, region or state). At this more local level, it's possible that someone will have information to share that people higher up were unaware of.

 

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Comments

Staff Dentist

Sat, 12/05/2015 - 18:36

#

Daniel,

We don't have any first hand information to share with you, however we did do some searching around.

For Wisconsin:
Here's a link to the Wisconsin Dental Association.
On their home page they specifically make mention of Medicaid/BadgerCare. While you've no doubt already have investigated these avenues, some of the associated phone numbers with this information might help you find a different source for care.

Also on the WDA website we see this page that provides a link to a list of clinics that provide low-income aid. In that list are a few area code 262 phone numbers.

Additionally, this link, also on the page above, gives basic and specific advice about places to look for assistance. (This information would be beneficial to people in any state.)
--
Calling your county health department can be an excellent source of leads. This should be a must do.
An actual call to the WDA and talking to some staff member might also produce more leads than just looking at their website.
--
Also, Marquette University has a dental shoool. They might base their fees on a sliding scale based on income.

We found this 2015 publication from Marquette that on page 5 specifically discusses "reduced fees" for "low income" patients. Possibly one of their clinics is in your immediate area.
------
Finally, here's a link for the Greater Milwaukee Dental Association. This is a subgroup of both the American Dental Association and also Wisconsin Dental Association. These are the dentists in your specific area and those who are in a good position to know what's available. If you don't find information on their website, make contact with them directly. It may lead to something.

Amanda Wright

Fri, 01/01/2016 - 17:51

#

Looking for help for my mom

My mother currently receives Medicaid and has no dental coverage at all. Due to all the medications she is on her teeth have all gone bad and she needs to have them removed and dentures or something put in. I have been searching high and low to help find her a dentist that wont charge her 2 arms and a leg for this. I am also trying to find a low cost insurance or coverage plan to help her get this completed. Any other thoughts on how I can get her some assistance?

Staff Dentist

Sat, 01/02/2016 - 14:23

#

Amanda

We don't necessarily have any specific advice to offer you.

In passing we'll say that your Mom's situation as you describe it seems to be as much a medical condition (an inability to maintain proper nutrition) as opposed to a strictly dental one. As you seek assistance sources, that type of change in classification might work to your benefit.

Communicating with actual people often leads to resources that can be hard to find otherwise. So, as this page suggests, a good start is to be in contact with those in your area who are likely to be in the know about resources.

This would include: your local health department (city/county), your state's Dental Association as well as its local branch, your local branch of the United Way, clinics located by using the Bureau of Primary Health Care link above, dialing 211 to see what happens and if your city has a dental school (see link above) checking about possibilities with them.

Best of luck with your quest.

Shaniece

Thu, 06/30/2016 - 10:29

#

Advice please

My family residence in Miami,Fl . We're a low income family my mother has no healthcare coverage. A couple of years ago she was in an accident and her head hit the steering wheel and now she needs MAJOR dental work. We've been trying for six years to get her help . And it was very hard to see her go from smiling and laughing to not even talking no more. I'm only 16 can you please help. Thanks in advance

Staff Dentist

Thu, 06/30/2016 - 11:37

#

Shaniece

The whole purpose of this page is to point website visitors (via links) to people/organizations who would be in the know about places that offer assistance programs in a region or local area.

We started with the Florida Dental Association link posted above and in a few clicks ended up on this page:
Project: Dentist Care
It lists over 15 dental clinics in Miami-Dade county. If any one of them doesn't offer the type of services that your mother needs, they likely to know if another one in your area does, or else people or organizations to contact that may have that type of information about your local area.

For readers of this page in general. There's a world of information that can be accessed from this page. But you have to click some links to find it.

ashley

Thu, 08/03/2017 - 13:54

#

how to get dental grant

hi I live in Illinois, I have a disorder where some of my adult teeth didn't form and some of my adult teeth are impacted. I still have a bunch of my baby teeth. I have medical card and am just now seeing the dentist. I was wondering if there's any programs or assistance places that would help me with removal and imlants or bridge. just seeking advice and help before things get worse.

Staff Dentist

Thu, 08/03/2017 - 18:20

#

Ashley

We don't know of any programs 1st hand. But rather than us, it's more likely organizations in your state and immediate area are more likely to know of something.

Read our "How do you find out about the programs near you?" section above to get an idea a process that can help you discover what types of programs exist.

No doubt many of your clicks, emails and calls will be for naught. But doing what we suggest is most likely to put you in contact with those people and organizations most likely to know. Good luck in your search.

bev

Mon, 03/05/2018 - 15:57

#

What dentists have sliding scale fee for EXTENSIVE DENTAL WORK??

QUESTION.... I AM LLOKING FOR A DENTIST OR DENTAL SCHOOL IN MN THAT WILL DO EXTENSIVE DENTAL WORK INCLUDING DENTURE AS I HAVE PERIODONTAL DISEASE.I NEED SLIDING SCALE FEE. I KNOW THE U OF M DENTAL SCHOOL STUDENTS DO WORK [ 25%- 40% OFF SERVICES. PLEASE HELP ME...I AM A SENIOR....THANK YOU, BEV

Staff Dentist

Mon, 03/05/2018 - 17:43

#

Bev

This page is about helping people understand where and how to go about finding information about dental assistance programs in their state, as opposed to listing individual clinics and their policies. I glanced at our Minnesota links above, there seemed to be a pretty extensive list of clinics throughout the state. Hopefully one of them offers what you need. Best of luck in your search.

NMD

Thu, 05/24/2018 - 18:16

#

TX link

The Texas links did not work or were not helpful. My daughter is on SS Disability, has Medicare but does not qualify for any dental assistance because "she makes too much money". That's a joke. She needs extensive work done on her teeth. She has a mental disability and has been out of contact with us for some time. Any suggestions. Thank you.

Staff Dentist

Thu, 05/24/2018 - 22:56

#

NMD

We've updated the non-working Texas link above.

As this page discusses, somewhere lying between the state and local level there should be individuals who know what programs exist for your immediate area. And therefore a source of detailed information that no national-level website could really duplicate.

Email or a phone call to the Texas Dental Association, your county's health department, nearby hygiene or dental schools, the United Way, and/or other resources listed on this page would all be good places to start your search.

Tina

Tue, 07/02/2019 - 19:04

#

Need implants

I have medicaid. And my teeth are falling out really bad they break so easy. I live in maryland. And i have no way to pay for any of it. They charge 40 just to pull one tooth. If there is any schools or any way i can get this done it would make me the happiest woman in the world. Im 35 and dont even smile because im ashamed of my teeth.

Thank you..

Staff Dentist

Tue, 07/02/2019 - 21:41

#

Tina

This page isn't centered on providing links to specific programs but instead helping people understand who in their area is likely to know about what programs are available. It's about clicking links, sending emails and making phone calls.
In regards to dental schools in your area (per the dental schools link above), University of Maryland has a dental school in Baltimore.

cg

Thu, 10/31/2019 - 23:03

#

possible resources

Some of your local church's may offer help. Does not hurt to ask and if not, my give you possible leads to get the help your after. You never know a dentist maybe apart of that church and offers his/her services. Just a thought. Good luck to all!

Staff Dentist

Thu, 10/31/2019 - 23:05

#

Thank you cg.

That's clearly a resource we've overlooked on (and now added to) this page.

* Comments marked with an asterisk, along with their associated replies, have either been edited for brevity/clarity, or have been moved to a page that's better aligned with their subject matter, or both. If relocated, the comment and its replies retain their original datestamps, which may affect the chronology of the page's comments section.

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