I'm 22 yrs old, with no dental insurance. I live in Northern California. I don't make much, about 700 a month. I need dental work pretty badly. I'm worried if my teeth get bad I'll lose my job, plus it's not healthy. :/
Any advice on where to go or anything helps. Thanks.
By Sierra S.
Look around and see if there are any dental schools near you. They generally offer discounted dental plans and are well supervised by dental instructors. Generally, only the advanced students at the end of their education near graduation are allowed to work on clients. Also, call your state dental association and ask if there is a dentist near you that has a budget plan. You are eligible for Obama care with such a low income. Have you looked into that?
Cathyb from MA
Go and talk to some dentists. Many have plans to pay over time. Make teeth your first priority. Put a little money away each paycheck.
Ask a QuestionHere are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community or ask a new question.
I am in need of dental work. I have crappy credit and no insurance. I need to have all of my top teeth pulled and get dentures.
I fell on my face and knocked out a bunch of my teeth in front. I work with the public and need them fixed desperately. How can I get the work I need done?
By RL Taylor
In many places, schools of dentistry will accept patients for their training and at steep discounts. Don't worry that they are students, all work is supervised by licensed dentists.
I need urgent dental care. I have no insurance, no income, am disabled, and deaf, but can't get Social Security. Where do I go?
By Justine B
SSI and SSD take up to 3 years so if you have not signed up, please do, but don't wait for help. Ask your local hospital if they have emergency services as they can often tell you where to search if they can't help. Poor dental health can reach critical mass if you let it affect your heart and other systems.
I have periodontal disease but no insurance. I have had it for a while. I have had two gum surgeries in the past. I haven't seen a dentist in about five years after losing my job. I lost my insurance and have not been able to afford to buy insurance. And my gums have progressed with deep pockets, spaces developed between my teeth and gums. I have loose teeth and need at least 2 teeth to be extracted now. I have puffy, swollen, and bleeding gums. I am in pain and eating soft food. I don't want to lose all of my teeth. I am only 53 and devastated right now.
On February 25, 2014 I went to Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, TX, and I was advised that in order for them to accept me as a student patient I would have to allow them to do dentures. I am not ready for that yet. Can someone help me with other options? I live in Dallas, Texas. Where can I find a free dental clinic to accept me with no insurance?
By Jacqueline W
I wish I could suggest something for you beyond ringing around to dentists in your area and asking if they will work out a payment plan for you - not likely to happen these days unfortunately.
If you have been seen at the dental school and they are saying you need dentures, there isn't a dentist in TX or any other US state who will try to save your remaining teeth without huge amounts of cash, and with the disclaimer that there are no guarantees that they can save your teeth. It may be that the condition of your teeth, and the periodontal disease caused bone loss, means your teeth cannot be saved.
If you've been seen at the dental school and this is what they've told you, please let them do the work! You will be shocked to find you feel much better - periodontal disease at the stage you're describing is terribly debilitating and you don't know how much it drains you until you have the treatment and suddenly your energy returns! Please keep reading to learn how I know this...
I lived in the US Deep South (AL and GA) for many years, I've now relocated to Scotland but whilst in the US I lost my job and insurance (forced into early retirement with a very small pension which did not cover living expenses much less insurance!) during dental treatment - which then ended abruptly with the end of my insurance.
I'd had an impact injury that cost me my upper five front teeth (full speed dog meet face) and while luckily I still had insurance at the time so the upper plate was covered, they also found periodontal disease and I was smack in the middle of treatment for that when I lost my job and insurance. At the last visit the dentist told me - Rinse twice a day with Listerine until you can afford dental insurance again.' I did eventually find another job (not easy at 52, btw) but it didn't come with insurance. The pain from the disease was horrific, I'm still not sure how I made it through it.
After meeting a Scotsman whom I married in 2011 I now live in the UK where medical and dental insurance is much more reasonable - my pension covers my premiums and I've had proper care for the periodontal disease. I'm now 57 and feel like a 30yo!
Yes, I did lose a few more teeth. Dentures aren't all that much fun but compared to how unwell I was before getting proper treatment, I can so do the dentures!
Please hang in there. I do know how awful what you're enduring is, and I know how hard it is to give the go ahead to lose your teeth. But the benefits are so great that I urge you to let the dental school go ahead if that is what they believe is best.
Please update if you're up to it. Meanwhile I'll be praying for you.
My tooth hurts very badly. I have been to a dentist and he said I need a root canal, but I don't have insurance because I do not work. I came into the USA last year in December, so I don't have a job yet. What can I do to get a root canal without insurance?
You could call local dentists and ask if they offer a payment plan. Or, search if there are any local organizations that offer free or little cost for you so students could practice.
Good luck!
I need a tooth pulled immediately, but I do not have Medicaid or insurance coverage what are my options?
By JM
Call around and see if you can find a dentist that will let you make payments. Also, if there is a dental school in your area, they might pull the tooth, but where I live, the dental students only clean and examine the teeth. Some communities have community health clinics that have a dental office combined with the medical aspect, and the fees are figured on a pro-rated system.
Most areas have dental clinics for very cheap for people in your situation. They don't do the very best job, but you get what you pay for I guess. Also, your local community college & university should have dental students in school and do basic dental tasks for free when they are in the process of learning. They are supervised by the teacher, so you will be fine.
Call the county health department. Where I live the Health Dept referred me to another county department that gives vouchers to have a tooth extracted.
Call around to dental 'clinics' in your area. There are two dental clinics in my area and one of them pulls a tooth for free. If you aren't sure how to find them just call your local Department of Human Services and they will tell you where they are.
I am in need of dental work, wisdom teeth removal. I am 52 yrs old, I do not qualify for medicaid, and can not afford dental insurance. Does anyone have any suggestions for finding affordable dental work?
By maryjane from Taos, NM
Are you anywhere near a university with a dental school? Dental students need patients to work on and the cost is much lower than on the outside.
Where I live they did a free dental day. People are in such need of help that they camped out the night before because it was first come, first serve. Doctors donated their time. They had so many more people than they ever imagined would show. You might check in your city and see if they have such a day.
I need dental work. I'm on Social Security and can not afford losing my teeth. I have 5 broken/missing and some cavity pain.
I am in need of periodontal work and have no insurance. Where is the most inexpensive place to get it done?
By William G.
If there are no dental schools in your area, call the Department of Social Services. and see if there are any dental clinics in your area that charge you for dental work according to your income.
Where can I find dental care in/around Nashville, Tennessee area for low income patients with no insurance?
By Kim
I would look in the phone book, also contact your county welfare department, they might help with that or have an idea where to refer you. If they can help you financially they will need proof of income. If you have a dental school in the area check with them. However, some dental schools will only do exams and cleaning. Most places that help with things like this will want proof of income and what you consider to be low income and you might not meet the income guidelines.
I go to Aspen Dental here in Washington State and they are wonderful. There are four locations in the Nashville area and since you don't have dental insurance your initial exam, xrays and consultation are free and they will work with you on a sliding wage scale.
2153 Gallatin Pike
Madison, TN 37115
440 Sam Ridley Pkwy West
Smyrna, TN 37167
604 South Cumberland St.
Lebanon, TN 37087
445 Highway 46 S
Dickson, TN 37055
Google Aspen Dental with the area you're most interested in for the phone number to make an appointment.
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.
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.
I need teeth pulled, a root canal, and my partial fixed.
By Annie
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
