Information for Caregivers: Where to Find Low-Cost Dental Care

By Jane Farrell

As someone who cares for an older adult, you know the importance of brushing and flossing for maintaining oral health. In addition to having a good oral hygiene routine, the person you help should see a dentist for regular check-ups and any necessary dental treatment. If he or she cannot afford to visit the dentist, take a look at the list of resources below for suggestions on where to find free or reduced-cost dental care.

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. For a complete list of dental schools, visit the American Dental Association website at  www.ada.org/267.aspx.

DENTAL HYGIENE SCHOOLS Dental hygiene schools may also offer supervised, low-cost preventive dental care as part of the training experience  for dental hygienists. To locate dental hygiene schools, go to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association website at  www.adha.org/dental-hygiene-programs.

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS Health centers supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration provide health care to patients even if they can’t pay.  There are nearly 1,400 health centers around the country.  About three-quarters of the centers also provide dental care. To find a health center in your area, visit http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

STATE AND LOCAL RESOURCES Your state or local agency on aging or health department may know of programs in your area that offer free or reduced-cost dental care. Your local agency on aging may also provide transportation to dental care. Call your local or state agency on aging to learn more about their transportation programs. Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (sometimes called a counseling advocacy or counseling assistance program) offers one-on-one counseling by paid professionals and trained volunteers to help consumers understand their Medicare benefits. They can also help with billing problems, and address issues related to supplemental insurance and long-term care insurance options. The Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, will connect you to services for older adults and their families. Visit www.eldercare.gov or call 1-800-677-1116.

MEDICARE & MEDICAID Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and for people under 65 with certain disabilities. Medicare only covers dental services related to specific medical conditions or treatments.  It does not cover dentures or most routine care like check-ups, cleanings, or fillings. Call 1–800–MEDICARE (1–800–633–4227) or visit www.medicare.gov. Medicaid is a state-run program that provides medical benefits – and in some cases dental benefits – to eligible individuals and families. Most states provide limited dental services for adults, while some offer comprehensive services. Visit www.medicaid.gov.

RURAL HEALTH INFORMATION HUB To find rural health resources and organizations, contact the Rural Health Information Hub at www.ruralhealthinfo.org; email: info@ruralhealthinfo.org; phone: 1-800-270-1898

VETERANS AFFAIRS DENTAL HOME PAGE For qualifying veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers comprehensive dental care benefits. Visit the VA Dentistry webpage at www.va.gov/dental  or call  1-800-827-1000.

UNITED WAY The United Way may be able to direct you to free or reduced-cost dental services in your community. Visit the United Way at www.unitedway.org or call 211.

DENTAL LIFELINE NETWORK Dental Lifeline Network is a national nonprofit organization that provides access to dental care and education for people who cannot afford it and:

■ have a permanent disability or

■ who are elderly: age 65 or older or

■ who are medically fragile

Visit www.dentallifeline.org and click on State Programs for information on how to apply or to find out if you qualify for free dental care.

TEETHWISDOM.ORG

Teethwisdom.org serves both seniors and their caregivers by teaching about oral health and aging and by connecting individuals with affordable dental care. Visit teethwisdom.org and click on Find Affordable Dental Care for an interactive map.

What about clinical trials (research studies)?

Dental researchers sometimes seek volunteers with specific dental, oral, or craniofacial conditions to participate in research studies, also called clinical trials. It’s important to know that clinical trials typically do not focus on routine dental care such as filling cavities, fixing broken teeth, treating gum disease, or being fitted for dentures.

Additionally, a clinical trial may not cover all the costs associated with participating.  Be sure to ask which costs are covered if you are considering a clinical trial.

To search for clinical trials, visit  www.clinicaltrials.gov. ClinicalTrials.gov is a registry and results database of federally and privately funded clinical trials conducted in  the United States and around the world.

Reprinted courtesy of the National Institute on Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). For more information, visit www.nidcr.nih.gov.