Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
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.
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.
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.
I would contact the company directly. You may even have a lifetime warranty and they will fix it. www.dooney.com/
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
I have MS and I need a lot of dental work, but I can't afford it. Where can I find a free or inexpensive dentist?
Aspiring dentists usually do inexpensive or free sections. You can check with nearby Dental School Clinics.
If you live near a dental school, go there. The fees are more reasonable.
I have some pretty serious teeth, mouth, and gum issues with no dental insurance. It's affecting my life in numerous ways. Any advice is more than welcome and will be taken in and processed.
Thank you everyone and Happy New Year may your goals dreams come true.
I am here on a business and tourism trip. I'm not holding dental insurance. I have been suffering from a toothache and gum bleeding.
But I don't know where to approach. Also I cannot afford expensive treatment. Please help me.You don't say where "here" is, Jaffer. And I'm sorry to hear you're in pain. Please check for a dental college in your area?
I was recently permanently disabled and now on Medicare (Blue Cross and Blue Shield). I need extensive dental work done, but BCBS doesn't cover it. What can I do if I can't afford to pay for work I need done? Does Medicare have any other options offered to them?
My husband is on Social Security Disability and has no insurance because SSD said they were 2 years behind when he went to sign up for his insurance. Now he has nothing and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He takes meds everyday to try to somewhat control his symptoms! How can this be it? Seems so unfair that we payed into this while we could work, now he has no insurance until who know's when? And I can't get my dental work done. If anyone has any solution that they know of, let me know.
Thank You
By KK from Lockport, NY
Some areas have dental clinics where you pay on a sliding fee scale depending on your household income. I'd suggest you call the Department of Human Services or you local health department to see if there is one near you.
If you are near a university that has a dental program you may qualify for some work through them.
The truth is that many people need dental work that cannot afford it and have to find a dentist that will accept payments.
Medicare (or usually Medicaid for adults) does not cover dental work or hearing aids. Some states are different.
Most dental insurance plans cover very little over routine care.
A dental clinic is your best bet but they will not do it for free or not that I have ever known.
Hi KK, your husband isn't on any government medical coverage? I am also disabled and i have medicaid and an HMO. Though when it comes to dental they only cover basics. Depending on his age you might also be able to sign him up for a discount prescription plan, I would also keep checking online (google) for any help on his medical which he should be able to apply for. With only the both of you having disability that is LOW income.
Now when it comes to dental, you have a few options, which a couple have already mentioned.
1 - looking for a dental school which will not charge you as much for the work (these will be students)
2 - Contacting local dentists to see if they have a payment plan
3 - Joining an additional coverage plan just for dental (they do have them)
Or since we are now in a world of bartering, maybe you have something you can barter to a dentist for the work or sell it for the cash.
I need a tooth pulled and have no insurance.
By Carol
How does that work? I don't have the money right now. I need my teeth fixed. I need cleaning, filling, Xray, and an exam now.
By RJ from Raleigh
I broke my tooth in the front and it hurts so bad. I don't get money til November first and I went to Excel dental and did a exam and consultation. They said I need a root canal and crown, but won't do anything til I pay 1000 $, but I'm in so much pain. I can't eat, drink, or sleep. What can I do?
By Brianna
You could check dental schools in your area where students will perform work on patients as part of their studies, or try to see if something on this website works for you in your area. Good luck!
www.nidcr.nih.gov/
Roots canals have become big money makers for dentists. Everyone it seems needs root canals. I broke a tooth and the dentist prepared it as for a regular filling and it actually looked nicer than the original, for the cost of a filling. No root canal bs.
I am 45 and I have periodontal disease. I have lost one inplant that I had on the top and now my front teeth are loose. I have a job, but don't make enough for dental insurance. If there is any program or anything that you could tell me about, please I need the help.
By Regina S. from Ripley, WV
Two things you might try: If there is a dental school near where you live, you could get treatment for very reasonable cost there. The work would be done by dental medicine students under the supervision of instructors. A second thing to try is your church or worship center. You could make your need known to the leadership. There may be a dentist there who would be willing to work with you. Hope these help and best wishes to you.
Well if you had an implant (don't these cost lots of money?) maybe you could ask the dentist who did this work to help with letting you make a monthly payment..
I have not heard of any "free" dental clinics in this country. Some of our dentists donate time each year to work in third world countries but it would seem that Americans should be able to find a way to have their work done when necessary. I usually agree and applaud these doctors but it would be nice if there were at least some "reasonable" clinics available.
I live near a university and we do have a dental school but even their prices are very high (but about 1/3 to 1/2 of the cost at a "regular dentist office). The problem with this is you have to qualify for whatever type of procedures they are working on at the time. Otherwise you are scheduled in their clinic where work is done by interns and the cost is higher. Emergencies are usually done by qualified dentists with students observing.
I believe I would try what the previous responder suggested and talk to someone at your church. They may know a dentist that will let you pay on time but probably not anything for "free".
If no help there then maybe try calling dentists and ask if they have a payment plan. I have heard that some will let you pay on time but require at least 1/2 be paid in before the procedure will be done.
I am a disabled senior citizen and am low income. I am in bad need of a dental/denture program for low income senior citizens.
By Jacquelyn
If you have a dental hygiene college close to where you live, they often do free cleanings, xrays, etc. Some services are offered based on your income, too.
Does anyone know where I can find affordable dental treatment in San Jose Costa Rica? Some websites?
I'm in bad need of help. I live in California around San Bernardino. I have an insanely bad toothache where I had broken a tooth around a year ago. I have no insurance and make barely enough to pay rent, bills, and food.
Is there anywhere near me where i can get this fixed? I've read in several places that this is very bad and could even kill due to infection.At Christmas time near San Jose I bit into an olive with a pit that broke, shattered, my front tooth on my dentures. How do I get it fixed with Medicare as my insurance? I am on federal disability. Where can I get help?
By Gregory
Medicare does not provide any dental care so you need a separate dental insurance policy to cover dental problems. If you do not have a dental policy, check for possible dental schools in your area for low cost dental needs.
