Where to Find Low-Cost Dental Care
Finding Low-Cost Dental Care. Sponsored by: Dental4Less.com — See why they still have the lowest monthly dental plans available since 1983. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), one of the federal government’s National Institutes of Health, leads the nation in conducting and supporting research to improve oral health. As a research organization, NIDCR does not provide financial assistance for dental treatment. The following resources, however, may help you find the dental care you need.
Clinical Trials
NIDCR sometimes seeks volunteers with specific dental, oral, and craniofacial conditions to participate in research studies, also known as clinical trials. Researchers may provide study participants with limited free or low-cost dental treatment for the particular condition they are studying.
To find out if there are any NIDCR clinical trials that you might fit into, visit the NIDCR web site and click on “NIDCR Studies Seeking Patie
nts.” For a complete list of all federally funded clinical trials, visit http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may need to visit your local library or ask a friend or family member for assistance.
To see if you qualify for any clinical trials being conducted at our Bethesda, Maryland, campus, you can call the Clinical Center’s Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office at 1-800-411-1222.
Dental Schools
Dental schools can be a good source of quality, reduced-cost dental treatment. Most of these teaching facilities have clinics that allow dental students to gain experience treating patients while providing care at a reduced cost. Experienced, licensed dentists closely supervise the students. Post-graduate and faculty clinics are also available at most schools.
Dental hygiene schools may also offer supervised, low-cost preventive dental care as part of the training experience for dental hygienists.
To find out if there are schools of dentistry or dental hygiene in your area, call your state dental society or association. These organizations are listed in your telephone book. For a complete list of dental schools, visit the American Dental Association web site at http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/programs/search_ddsdmd_us.asp. To locate dental hygiene schools, go to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association web site at http://www.adha.org/careerinfo/dir_education.htm. You can also contact the National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse at:
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse
1 NOHIC Way
Bethesda, Maryland 20892–3500
1-866-232-4528
Bureau of Primary Health Care
The Bureau of Primary Health Care, a service of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), supports federally-funded community health centers across the country that provide free or reduced-cost health services, including dental care. To obtain a list of centers in your area, contact the HRSA Information Center toll-free at 1-888-Ask-HRSA (1-888-275-4772) or visit their web site at http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administers three important federally-funded programs: Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
- Medicare is a health insurance program for people who are 65 years and older or for people with specific disabilities. Medicare does not cover most routine dental care or dentures. Visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareDentalCoverage/.
- Medicaid is a state-run program that provides medical benefits, and in some cases dental benefits, to eligible individuals and families. States set their own guidelines regarding who is eligible and what services are covered. Most states provide limited emergency dental services for people age 21 or over, while some offer comprehensive services. For most individuals under the age of 21, dental services are provided under Medicaid. Visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidDentalCoverage/.
- SCHIP helps children up to age 19 who are without health insurance. SCHIP provides medical coverage and, in most cases, dental services to children who qualify. Dental services covered under this program vary from state to state. Visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/SCHIPDentalCoverage/.
CMS can provide detailed information about each of these programs and refer you to state programs where applicable. If you currently have Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Others may call 1-877-267-2323 or visit the CMS web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/. You can also write to them at the address below:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland 21244
State and Local Resources
Your state or local health department may know of programs in your area that offer free or reduced-cost dental care. Call your local or state health department to learn more about their financial assistance programs. Check your local telephone book for the number to call.
United Way
The United Way may be able to direct you to free or reduced-cost dental services in your community. Check your telephone book for the number of your local United Way chapter.
For additional copies of this fact sheet contact:
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse
1 NOHIC Way
Bethesda, Maryland 20892–3500
1-866-232-4528
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/
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This publication is not copyrighted. Make as many copies as you need.
NIH Publication No. 09-6097