Free or Low Price Dental Treatments

Individuals who do not have dental insurance or cannot afford to pay for coverage need to look for other available treatment options. Those who do not want to pay high costs for some types of dental treatments may be required to use other alternatives as well. If saving money is a priority, various treatments can be performed abroad using medical dental tourism. There also are low-cost dental care options available for individuals who cannot find affordable coverage.

Clinical Trials

• Organizations such as the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research or NIDCR may look for volunteers who have a specific dental or oral condition for participation in clinical trials. Many clinical trials are studies that are funded by the federal government. This means that participants in these trials may receive treatment for free or for minimal cost. Information about clinical trials can be found at their websites (see Resources).

Dental Schools

• Many dental schools are teaching facilities, which means that students can get hands-on experience by treating patients at a school clinic. This is one source that is available for individuals who are looking for low-cost or reduced-fee dental care. The work performed by students at these clinics ar supervised by a licensed dentist or dental professor.

NonProfit Organizations

• One nonprofit organization that provides dental care to individuals who are under-insured or do not have dental insurance is Dentistry from the Heart. The organization was founded in 2001 by a dentist, Dr. Vincent Monticciolo, who lived in New Port Richey, Fla. The organization has donated nearly $2.5 million of dental care to more than 10,000 people. Every year, there are many dental clinics and offices that provide a day of free dental services because of Dentistry from the Heart. Its website has a list of locations where free dental events are available (see Resources).

Federally Funded Programs

• The federal government funds various programs that provide heathcare. These include dental, through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS. One program is Medicaid, which is funded by the federal government and administered by each state. States have the option of offering dental coverage for adults, but it is required for individuals under the age of 21. Eligibility for Medicaid is determined by the income level of an individual or family.

Medical Dental Tourism

• Individuals that are looking to save money on dental costs can find low-cost options by looking at various Dental Medical Tourism plans. Dental procedures in other countries are often cheaper than in the United States. Immigrants from Mexico that live in California often return to Mexico for treatment because the costs are cheaper. Other countries, such as those is Asia, have costs that are nearly three-quarters less than in the United States.