11 Dental Assistance Programs for Dental Work

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.

Here we give you a step-by-step guide to accessing immediate financial help and longer-term financing to keep your smile healthy.

11 Financial Assistance Options for Dental Work

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:

1. Dental Discount Plans

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/.

2. Cosmetic Dentistry Grants Program

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:

• Must be 18 years old or older.
• Be a legal U.S. resident living within 60 miles of a participating CDG dentist.
• Your mouth must be healthy enough for elective work; no untreated cavities, gum disease, extractions, root canals, etc.
• You pay for any needed basic dentistry before grant approval and cover the remainder of cosmetic fees after the discount.
• Cannot already be in the middle of implant placement or other reconstructive work.

3. Donated Dental Services (DDS)

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:

• 65 years of age.
• Permanently disabled.
• Need medically necessary dental care.
• Some counties also provide services to veterans.

4. Care Credit

Care Credit is a healthcare credit card that can be used to pay for out-of-pocket expenses not covered by medical insurance.

Care Credit can be used for the following dentistry services:

• Preventative treatments
• Restorative procedures
• Cosmetic dentistry

5. Give Back a Smile Program

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.

6. United Way

United Way is a network of nonprofit fundraising affiliates. It connects low-income or otherwise qualifying patients with free or low-cost dental care.

7. Government Programs (Medicare and Medicaid)

The following programs provide dental services to various qualifying people:

• Medicare ⁠— Traditional Medicare typically does not cover routine dental care, though certain Medicare Advantage plans may offer limited dental coverage for people 65 years and older or with specific disabilities.
• Medicaid ⁠— A state-run program that provides dental benefits to eligible individuals and families. Coverage varies by state, with some states offering limited dental services primarily to children and emergency care to adults.
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) ⁠— Provides medical coverage and dental services to people up to 19 who qualify.
• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) — Charge on a sliding scale based on your income, making care significantly more affordable than hospital emergency rooms.

8. Discount Treatment at Dental Schools

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.

9. Public Dental Clinics

Public dental clinics are community-based and patient-directed organizations.

The Health Resources & Services Administration funds these clinics. They serve one out of 11 people in the United States.

10. Clinical Trials

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.

11. Veterans Administration (VA)

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.

What Are Some Other Ways to Reduce Cost?

Beyond financing, you can reduce overall dental expenses through the following:

• Stage treatments — Opt for temporary solutions like interim fillings or partial dentures to manage immediate needs affordably, allowing you to save for more permanent restorations like dental crowns.
• Second opinions — Seek written estimates from multiple dental professionals. Comparing costs can empower you to negotiate lower prices.
• Cash discounts or membership plans — Many dentists offer reduced fees if you pay in cash upfront or join their membership plans, which include discounted rates on various dental procedures.
• Tax advantages — Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) can help pay for dental care pre-tax. Additionally, itemizing dental expenses on your tax filing can provide deductions if costs exceed certain limits.
• 0% APR credit cards — Many credit cards offer an introductory 0% APR period on purchases. You won’t pay any interest on your charges for a certain number of months.
• Negotiating Your Bill — You may be able to negotiate the total cost of treatment with your dentist before committing. If you’re uninsured, some dentists may offer a discount to help their uninsured patients afford the cost of care.

If you’re struggling to finance your dental care, there’s no shame in asking friends and family for help.

Can You Get a Loan for Dental Work?

Dental loans can be used to pay for dental procedures. These loans can fund any type of dental work, including:

• Dental emergencies
• Planned cosmetic work
• Other procedures

Average Costs of Common Dental Treatments (With & Without Insurance)

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