Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I'm in desperate need of help. I'm only 41yrs old, I'm on disability for severe fibromyalgia and I have an autoimmune disease, Shogrens Syndrome that deteriorates my teeth. I haven't had the money to go to the dentist regularly and I'm terrified I'm going to need dentures at 50. I've been researching online, but I can only find clinics that will do just preventive work. I needs implants, bridges, etc. I could put a dentist's kid in college for what I need done. I'm scared and just need some good advise.
So sorry to hear about your issues. Sending lots of healing wishes up for you.
Depending on where you live, there may be resources available to you for free or very low cost dental care.
1. Do you have health (medical) insurance (either through an employer or the marketplace)? If so, call their customer service (the number should be on your insurance card) and ask if 1. if there are any dental/oral surgery services covered under the benefit or 2. if not, do they know of plans or planned free care dental programs for their members? If there are services covered, ask for a recommendation for a NETWORK provider who takes your plan.
In my area, there are frequently insurance sponsored, free dental programs that are first come first serve, but will work with you to get needed care.
2. If you do not have the type of insurance above, are you on social security disability (and are eligible for Medicare) or do you qualify for Medical Assistance?
If you have or qualify for either of insurances, follow the same procedure as able to find out what the benefit covers or if they offer a free dental event. For Medical Assistance, your state's Department of Health or Department of Public Welfare may be able to assist. For Medicare, most dental services ARE NOT covered (like preventive), but if you are in the hospital or have a dental emergency, they may cover what they call complex care (see this link). www.medicare.gov/
3. Do you have a dental school in your town? Some dental schools offer free or low cost dental care, with the caveat that they are SUPERVISED students working on you. Some are first come, first serve and the appointments have parameters around them....like they take X amount of time or are only available on certain days and hours.
4. Are you a veteran? There are frequently free dental programs available to veterans. Your local Veteran's Administration can help. www.va.gov/
5. If all else fails, start calling around to local dentists and see if someone will work with you on a super small sliding scale. You never know. These are not common, but there are dentists out there who do "pro bono" or limited pay work. It can't hurt to ask.
Good luck!
I am 19, have no dental insurance, no credit, and am on my own. I earn less than $600 a month in income and I am in some major pain. I live near Destin, Florida. Where can I find some help?
By Angela
No matter what happens with your teeth, I hope you find a way to learn a skill to get paid more, or you will face this problem repeatedly throughout your life. If you get a skilled permanent, full-time job, you may be able to buy cheap dental insurance and get health ins. paid for by your employer.
You also need to set aside a few dollars here and there (no buying Christmas gifts until you do!), to establish an emergency fund for things like this.
Hi Angela, I live just above the bay from you, in Walton County. I found some info. for you, hope and pray it helps and you find relief.
Clinic List for Florida, this has tons of clinics with phone numbers, addresses , etc. (if anybody from another state needs this type of help, just change the last two letters at the end of the website address to your state letters)
522 Free, Low-Cost or Sliding Scale Clinics in Florida
www.needymeds.org/
Hope Medical Clinic
150 Beach Dr
Community Health Center - Freeport (Pan Care of FL)
479 East Highway 20
Freeport FL 32439
850-880-6568
Accepts: Uninsured, Underinsured, Insurance,
Medicare, Medicaid
Income: All income levels accepted
Fees: Sliding scale of fees based on income
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Services: Primary Care, Medical Services, Dental
Sharing & Caring, Inc. of Okaloosa County
(850)244-0778
Provides food and assistance for medicine, rent,
utilities, school supplies, personal care products,
and special needs. Services are supplied based
upon need and funds availability.
Crossroads Medical Center
(850)389-3015
Delivers quality primary health care and other
related professional services to low-income,
uninsured adults residing in Okaloosa and Walton
counties through creative collaborative partnerships.
I need teeth pulled, a root canal, and my partial fixed.
By Annie
You can go to a clinic and they should have a sliding fee price list. Which most often will be $20 per visit here where I live. I just got partials top and bottom, but I have medicaid.
I am in desperate need for dental work. I am constantly sick with nausea and pain from my teeth not to mention I have lost my smile. I am 39 and all my teeth need to go they are in such bad shape. I have no insurance and I also separated from my husband of over 23 years due to an abusive situation. I have no income and have no where to turn. I am in Kentucky. Any suggestions?
By Ann
I was 43 when I finally got dentures, and that was after my divorce became final and I got 3/4 of the profit from selling our house. I had been having toothaches, and teeth breaking off for about 15 years. My husband at the time had a really good job, and I was a stay at home Mom, doing a little daycare in our home. Any extra money we had went to buy guns, hunting trips, fishing trips, etc.
After the divorce I did get a job, cleaning motel rooms without teeth. I don't think there is anyplace where a person can get free dental work. If there is a dental school near you check with them, some dental schools do actual dental work on patients, and some don't. Where I live the only things the dental schools do is exams and cleaning.
I have no dental insurance, but I am in desperate need of free or low income dental care in the Laurel, MD area. Please point in the right direction.
Regards
www.freedentalcare.us/
These links may get you started. If they don't pan out, if you have medical insurance, call the number on the back of your card and ask if the know of any free dental clinics in your area. Often insurance companies work with other social services agencies and offer dental clinics free to underserved populations.
If you don't have medical insurance contact your state department of public welfare to see if you qualify for medical assistance and if that benefit offers any dental insurance. That link is mmcp.health.maryland.gov/
If you are a veteran, the VA should be able to get you information on free or low cost dental care.
Since you have access to a computer, if you find a dentist to work with you on a sliding scale, maybe you can set up a go fund me to help pay off the costs. People can be very generous in times of need.
Good health wishes. Don't give up!!
I need to have what's left of my teeth pulled and then be fitted for dentures, but I'm on a low, fixed income. Where can I find information about this in Washington? I have no insurance.
By Joyce
www.needymeds.org/
This site lists 437 free, low-cost or sliding scale clinics in Washington. It shows eligibility and details. The towns are listed in alphabetical order.
For other state listings, just change the last two letters at the end of the web address to your state letters to get your states list.
I am a senior citizen in need of dental work, but I have no insurance. I would appreciate suggestions very much. Thank you.
By Yvonne
National Council on Aging 1-800-677-1116
www.ncoa.org/
Praying for You to get the help you need.
I myself don't need dental work, but my family and I are in serious need of information on how to get dental work done for my father. My father is a disabled man who is 44 years old. He receives Social Security disability (not SSI). He also receives Medicare, but as you know Medicare does not cover dental. Our local DHHS will not give him Medicaid because they say his income is too high.
Here is the list of things my father has gone through in the past few years. 3 years ago he had a massive stroke, blood vessel in brain burst, the doctors say he is lucky to be alive. The stroke caused serious complications including learning how to eat, walk, talk, etc. He also has seizures from time to time, both gran mal and petit mal seizures. He suffers from serious rheumatoid arthritis, he is losing weight and bone mass as we speak. He hasn't had a solid meal in 3 years. He is on an all liquid diet. In the past he has had multiple blood clots, caused from a blood disease. He is on all types of medications for these problems (too many to talk about) way too many. 3 years ago his teeth started rotting out causing a very bad infection which he has had now for years. It won't go away because he needs serious help. He is in so much pain that it takes everything in him to get out of bed. I'd say he is 80% bed ridden. As of now he has 2 teeth left with a bad infection. Now we have all learned that tooth infection can cause serious damage. He is a stroke survivor with many other issues.
He needs dental surgery ASAP. Of course he can't afford his own dental insurance and the new affordable dental care program won't take him because he needs this dental work done in a surgical room. We have been told it needs to be done at U of M Hospital. This is a medical necessity! For 3 years now we all have struggled to get him back to where he needs to be. No one will give us answers or even try to help. We've been told in order for him to get Medicaid he needs to take away Medicare, but if he does that then he still makes too much money for Medicaid. If he can't afford to live then why would we do that? Any answers or information or anything would he greatly appreciated. Thank you in advanced. God Bless.
Are you in the US? Have you tried calling Affordable Dentures? They're a national chain that provides extractions and dentures at super affordable prices and they take Care Credit and offer payment plans. Last I checked an extraction was $70. Even if the closest one is far, if your father is able to make the trip, it's worth it. If not are their any colleges with dental schools in your area? They will sometimes provide FREE dental extractions for the invaluable training their students receive. I hope you find relief for your dad soon and hope he shows signs of improvement. You're really a great kid for taking care of him the way you are!
I am on SSI and have dental coverage, but it will not pay for partials. I have all my front teeth in fair condition. I only have 2 back teeth and need partials to eat.
I cannot pay very much. My income is very low. Can you offer suggestions please?Delta Dental Insurance is offered by AARP ... I pay a monthly fee for my dental coverage which takes care of $1,000 of dental work a year. The dental insurance with them runs me about $16 a week which equals $64 a month. To me they are a God send as I am on SSDI myself, hope this helps!
Where in Fresno California could I get help on pulling a tooth? I am on disabiity and do not have dental insurance. My supplemental health insurance and Medicare do not cover my dental!
Money is tight so I need something affordable. Thanks.The California Dental Association lists low cost dental services in the Fresno area on this site:
www.cda.org/
I am a 25 year old female. All of my teeth are rotted and I don't have a job because I don't have a car. I have no money and I've been in and out of the hospital with badly infected abscessed teeth.
This last hospital stay nearly killed me it was so bad. I don't know what to do. If there is anyone out there that could help me please leave a comment.Dental schools do work at greatly reduced rates. See if there is one near you
How do I get a Dooney and Bourke purse back to its normal color because it has a little discoloration.
My brother is in a care facility and is in need of a root canal. He has SS, Medicaid, and Medicare. How or can he get help with the cost?
If he lives near a dental school, he can get care at a reduced cost. The waiting list is often long, though.
Noah is a 21 year old with high functioning autism, anxieties, depression, and developmental delays among other diagnoses. He desperately needs his teeth cleaned and one is broken.
He will need sedation to perform dental work on him. Where can he find help?Dental Care
Step 1
Local dental association can give referrals
Step 2
Mission of Mercy
Step 3
Local department of health
Step 4
Donated Dental Services
You don't mention where you are, but in Pittsburgh there are many, many dentists who specialize in special needs dental patients, like Noah. You just have to ask his current dentist or his primary care doctor.
Be sure to find one in his dental network and make sure you don't need sedation to be prior authorized. If he is on Medical Assistance, it may need to be approved first (prior authorized).
If he doesn't have a regular dentist, find his medical insurance card and call their member services team and 1. verify he has dental insurance 2. that the insurance will pay for sedation 3. Ask them to help you make an appointment with the closest dentist who can do this service.
He will need someone to take him home after the procedure as he will be woozy!
Prayers for a good fix and smooth procedures for Noah!! I feel his pain with this one!!
