When You Have No Dental Insurance...

By Teresa Ambord

“You’re not healthy without good oral health,” according to C. Everett Koop, former Surgeon General of the United States.   Yet a large percentage of working families in America have no dental insurance.

Here are some facts you should know:

  • The Department of Health and Human Services reports that collectively, school children miss 1.6 million school days per year because of acute dental conditions.  That translates to 3.1 in 100 kids.
  • Senior citizens ― the group most likely to need extensive dental work ― have no dental coverage through Medicare.  Medicare does have some exceptions if the dental services are necessary because of a medical condition that requires hospitalization. Otherwise, seniors must pay out of pocket or do without dental work.
  • Oral health and general health go hand in hand.  Often it is the dentist who first recognizes a burgeoning health problem, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart problems, among others.

So where can you go if you have no dental insurance or inadequate coverage and can’t afford to pay the dentist yourself?

Here are some resources that may help:

Most communities are aware of the need for dental care among those who cannot afford it. Since programs vary by state, a good place to start is to contact your local and state dental societies.

Here are two examples of state programs:

  • California’s Healthy Families plan is low cost insurance for children and teenagers that makes available dental, vision, and health coverage to those who have no insurance, but do not qualify for Medi-Cal.   For more information on this program, log onto: California's Healthy Families
  • On Georgia’s state dental society Web site you’ll find a list of low cost clinics that base their fees on patient income. You'll also find there information about a jointly funded federal-state dental insurance program for low-income individuals. State of Georgia

Another source for reduced cost treatment is dental schools. Generally, the work is performed by dental students under the direct supervision of licensed, experienced dentists. But you need to be prepared for a longer than usual appointment.  In addition, many dental schools offer payment plans to make this option even easier.

Click here to find a dental school in your state.

Federal Plans

Through the federal government, you might be able to find reduced cost dentistry for your children up to age 19.  The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a federal/state partnership that targets children of low-income families. Visit the site below, and click on your state, then follow the prompts to see what is available.

As communities recognize the important role of access to dental care, they are responding with solutions such as:

  • Free clinics that are beginning to include dental care
  • Non-profit clinics for the elderly, disabled, and low-income, such as this Minneapolis-based program: The Apple Tree Clinic serves more than 30,000 patients each year, including visits to senior residential facilities.  Apple Tree has been cited as a model institution for dental care.
  • School-based clinics funded by health departments
  • In rural areas, mobile van dental clinics may be available. Currently Dental House Calls are available to the elderly and disabled usually at substantial discounts in New Jersey, Colorado, and Illinois.  For more information, click here: Dental House Calls

In addition to the Dental House Calls program, the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped (NFDH) facilitates dental care for the disabled, the elderly, and the medically compromised.

Read more about these programs by at this Web site:

As a very last resort, people in need of dental care who cannot find relief anywhere else can go to a hospital emergency room and have the tooth extracted. Obviously, this is not the best choice but it may be preferable to unrelenting pain, especially if you are unable to eat.

If none of these solutions works for you, talk to your family dentist.  Many times they understand financial difficulties and may be willing to work out an affordable fee and payment plan.