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About 13 % of U.S. adults skip or delay needed dental care due to cost barriers, making cost one of the leading impediments to oral health. Fortunately, multiple legitimate funding options can significantly reduce or eliminate your dental costs.
In this article, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide to accessing immediate financial help and longer-term financing to keep your smile healthy.
An estimated 72 million Americans don’t have dental insurance coverage. For those without dental insurance, there are various financial assistance options for dental care, including:
Dental discount or dental savings plans are an affordable alternative to traditional dental insurance. They allow you to pay an annual fee and receive discounts on dental services through their membership.
Once you sign up, you’ll have access to a wide network of dentists, depending on your plan provider. You'll be offered 10 to 60% savings on preventative and restorative treatments.
For more information, visit https://www.dentalplans.com/.
The Cosmetic Dentistry Grants (CDG) Program is owned by the Oral Aesthetic Advocacy Group Inc. (OAAG). This research, information, and funding organization was founded in 2010 by dental practitioners and industry professionals.
A cosmetic dentistry grant can help qualifying people pay for cosmetic and implant dentistry procedures. However, the dentists affiliated with the program pay a fee for each patient they are referred to.
To qualify for a CDG, you must meet the following requirements:
The Donated Dental Services (DDS) program partners with participating dentists to provide free dental treatment to vulnerable populations. Those who qualify for the program may not need to pay for dental work.
To qualify for a DDS, you must meet one of the following:
Care Credit is a healthcare credit card that can be used to pay for out-of-pocket expenses not covered by medical insurance. Interest-free financing is typically limited to promotional periods, after which high interest rates may apply if the balance isn't paid in full. The card also offers special financing options you may not get with other cards.
Care Credit can be used for the following dentistry services:
The Give Back a Smile Program provides dental services to domestic abuse victims, restoring their smiles. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry sponsors the program.
Since the program's inception, many volunteer dentists have provided their skills and expertise to restore damaged teeth. It has restored the smiles of over 2,000 people.
United Way is a network of nonprofit fundraising affiliates. It connects low-income or otherwise qualifying patients with free or low-cost dental care.
The following programs provide dental services to various qualifying people:
Dental schools can be a good option for patients to find quality, reduced-cost treatment. This allows students to gain knowledge and experience.
These dental schools offer many of the same services that a regular dental clinic offers. There's also no risk because experienced dentists supervise the students.
Additionally, dental hygiene schools offer supervised, low-cost preventive dental care as part of the training experience for dental hygienists. These include cleaning, scaling, and polishing.
Public dental clinics are community-based and patient-directed organizations. They deliver primary health care services that are comprehensive, culturally competent, and high-quality to vulnerable individuals and families.
The Health Resources & Services Administration funds these clinics. They serve one out of 11 people in the United States.
Medical researchers often seek volunteers with specific dental conditions to participate in research studies. These studies are also known as clinical trials.
Qualifying participants receive limited free or low-cost dental treatment during a clinical trial for the researched condition.
VA dental coverage typically applies only to veterans with service-related dental conditions or specific classifications. Most veterans do not qualify for comprehensive dental benefits under VA care.
For others, the VETSmile pilot connects veterans to affordable or free community dental care. In some cases, a veteran’s family members may be eligible to receive benefits from the VA.
Calculate your dental savings now with a DentalPlans plan. Visit DentalPlans.
Beyond financing, you can reduce overall dental expenses through the following:
If you’re struggling to finance your dental care, there’s no shame in asking friends and family for help.
Dental loans can be used to pay for dental procedures. These loans can fund any type of dental work, including:
| Treatment | With Insurance | Without Insurance |
| Fillings (per tooth) | $10 – $50 | $150 – $450 |
| Scaling & Root Planing (per quadrant) | $50 – $150 | $140 – $300 |
| Root Canal | $200 – $500 | $300 – $2,000 |
| Crown | Typically bundled with a root canal | Varies widely by material and clinic |
| Dental Implant (each) | $1,500 – $2,000 | $3,500 – $4,500 |
| Dental Bridge | $300 – $1,000 | $1,500 – $16,000 |
| Tooth Extraction | $26 – $145 | $219 – $4,000 |
| Dentures | ~50% coverage on $1,500–$5,000 | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Dental Cleaning | $15 – $50 | $75 – $200 |
| Gum Graft | Typically covered | $600 – $1,200 |
| Braces | Sometimes partially ($3,000–$6,000) | $3,000 – $6,000 |
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