what to do when you need a dentist and don't have money

Full Answer

What to do if you need help paying for a dentist?

If you’ve been seeing a dentist for a long time and need help, be upfront about your financial situation and ask if you qualify. If you’re unemployed, or you work but earn very little, check if your family can get on Medicaid or the related Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

What do I do if I don't have dental insurance?

We'll help you figure out what to do if you don't have dental insurance. The treatment you need at a price that you can afford is most likely out there, so don't give up until you find it. Your first step could be to call the number below to get connected with a dentist in your area and check their prices without insurance.

What if I Can’t afford a dentist?

If you can’t afford a dentist with a sliding scale, you may be eligible to receive service for free from a free medical clinic. Eligibility for this is based on your income level.

Can you pay for dental work with no money?

Find out how you can pay for dental work with no money in 8 easy and cheap ways. If you don’t have dental insurance, you’re not alone. Over 100 million US citizens don’t have dental coverage. With the median household salary in the United States at $68,703 per year in 2019, that leaves little room to pay for dental work out of pocket.

Why Dental Work Is Important

The tooth is the most important part that is used to take food according to its nature. Those who have teeth are really happy to go taking foods by chewing and taking the taste. But those facing problems with teeth now understand how tooth play an important role in taking the taste of the food and feeling comfortable.

Type Of Dental Work And Its Possible Cost

There are different types of dental woks and it depends on an individual’s need. Some may suffer from tooth cavities, some may want to replace a new tooth through dental implants and dentures. So it is important to know these dental works and the possible cost.

How To Go Dental Work Without Money

So you may have now ideas on the cost of dental work but you don’t have a single penny in your pocket. But you should not be worried because there are some ways to do dental work without money as well.

How To Search For Dental Work When I Have No Money

Surely there are many programs and assistance for dental works but people don’t find it easy or don’t hear this assistance program. So there are some ways to search for dental work when you have no money.

Places Where Free Dental Care And Work

So there are some places as dental schools, institutions, and other platforms where dental work with no money is available. Surely one should go to these platforms and get dental work with no money.

How To Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Most people suffer from dental complications due to negligence and they don’t take proper care of their teeth. But when you can take care of your teeth, you don’t need to go for dental work. So there are simple guidelines on how to keep your teeth healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

So there is some answer to the questions and most people want to know these answers as information. So these answers to the question may be helpful as well.

How to get dental care without insurance?

There are a few ways that you can find affordable dental care without insurance, or pay for dental work with little or no money. Here are a few options that you can consider. 1. Find a Free or Low-Cost Dental Provider. There are some dental practices that provide services to low-income and uninsured individuals, ...

How many people don't have dental insurance?

If you don’t have dental insurance, you’re not alone. Over 100 million US citizens don’t have dental coverage. With the median household salary in the United States at $68,703 per year in 2019, that leaves little room to pay for dental work out of pocket.

Why do you need a carefree dental card?

Just because money’s tight doesn’t mean that you should abandon your dental care. Skipping regular checkups and necessary procedures will lead to much more pain and hardship down the road. The Carefree Dental Card can give you significant savings from your dental bills.

What is the National Institute of Dental and Cranial Research?

The National Institute of Dental and Cranial Research maintains a database of active clinical trials. 6. Use Government Resources. There are government organizations that provide assistance with medical expenses for low-income and uninsured people.

Is Carefree Dental a substitute for professional dental care?

The Carefree Dental blog is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The text and pictures within the content are intended for information purposes only. Readers should consult with a licensed dentist or healthcare professional before seeking treatment.

Do dentists give discounts?

Many dentists will offer a discount for people who pay upfront for their services. By saving up enough for the dental service you need, you can end up paying less overall.

Can you afford a dental clinic with a sliding scale?

If you can’t afford a dentist with a sliding scale, ...

How to avoid scams at dentist?

Avoid scams by asking to be mailed information before you make a payment , and say no to high-pressure salespeople. You also can check with the Better Business Bureau or your state’s insurance regulator to see if a company has had complaints made against it. Other Ways to Save Money at the Dentist. Space it out.

Why don't Americans get dental care?

Cost is the No. 1 reason why Americans don’t get regular dental care.

How much does a dentist charge for a cleaning?

Dentists can charge $200 or more for a routine cleaning and exam. Filling cavities can cost several hundred dollars, while total fees for dentures and braces can run into the thousands. That's a lot more than most people can bite off. You may be retired, on a limited income, out of work, or lack dental coverage.

What is Dental Lifeline?

Some state or national charities use donated labor and materials to give free care. Dental Lifeline operates in all 50 states and accepts people 65 and over, or who have permanent disabilities or serious medical conditions. A related program matches low-income children with volunteer orthodontists for braces and other treatments.

What is a public dental clinic?

These are taxpayer-funded clinics run by local or state health departments or by community health centers that get grants from the federal government. Many charge low, fixed prices or sliding fees based on how much you can afford.

How to tell if you have a tooth infection?

Know the signs when something minor turns serious. Call your dentist if you notice: 1 Pain. Eating and chewing should not hurt. 2 Your teeth are always sensitive, especially to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks. 3 Swelling. Even if it doesn’t hurt, swelling inside your mouth could be just irritation but could also signal an infection. 4 Bleeding. Your gums shouldn’t bleed every time you brush. 5 Bad breath that won’t go away also can mean infection.

Why do people get braces?

Sometimes, a poor bite can keep your or your child’s teeth and jaw from working without pain. Braces can correct that. Other times, you may want to get braces simply to look and feel better.

How to know if you have a tooth infection?

There are a few exceptions to this. Seek immediate medical attention if: 1 If you have severe facial or oral trauma 2 When you have broken your jaw 3 If have symptoms of a severe dental infection such as a high fever, chills, and swelling

How much does it cost to have a root canal and crown?

Unfortunately if, however, you wait, and the cavity leads to advanced decay and infection, you could end up having to pay up to $2,000 for a root canal and crown. When the decay becomes extensive, you could also end up losing the tooth and suffering bone loss, which could lead to even more expensive restorative treatments down the line.

Does Gentle Dental offer discounts?

To ensure that all patients have access to top-quality dental care, Gentle Dental provides a number of money-saving options. This includes new patient specials that provide discounts for exams and full mouth X-rays, along with services of $300 or greater not covered by insurance.

Does dental insurance reduce the cost of care?

Dental insurance can significantly reduce the cost of care. According to the American Dental Association, about 34% of Americans aren’t covered by a dental insurance plan. So, what do you do if you need dental care but don’t have dental insurance? Here’s what you should know.

Can you go to the ER for dental emergencies?

If you have general health insurance and are experiencing a dental emergency your first instinct may be to get to the ER. But many ER’s are not equipped to deal with a serious dental emergency.

Does Gentle Dental have a dental plan?

Otherwise, for typical dental emergencies, call us to determine the best course of action. Patients without insurance can also take advantage of Gentle Dental’s Dedicated Dental Plan, which includes valuable discounts for X-rays, preventative care and various necessary dental treatments. Gentle Dental can even help patients secure flexible financing for extensive dental treatments of elective cosmetic procedures not covered by insurance. This helps patients split up their out-of-pocket costs into affordable monthly payments.

What to do if you don't have dental insurance?

If you need a lot of dental work done, but you don’t have dental insurance, have an honest discussion with your dentist about what is urgent and what can wait. They will be able to help you prioritize your procedures.

How to save money if you don't have dental insurance?

One sure-fire way to save money if you don’t have dental insurance is to not end up in the dentist’s chair in the first place. That doesn’t mean that we never want you to go to the dentist again! On the contrary, we recommend routine dental exams, cleanings, and x-rays. But the more careful you are about taking care of your teeth, the less likely you’ll need expensive dental work.

Why is dental tourism called dental tourism?

It’s known as dental tourism because patients sometimes plan a vacation to coincide with a trip for dental work.

What is dental membership?

Dental memberships are a somewhat new form of payment for patients without dental insurance. These can be managed in-house by a dental practice or through a third-party company. The idea is similar to that of warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club or Costco. The patient pays a monthly or annual membership fee. In return, they get a specific package of services at a deep discount. For example, an annual membership might include an exam, cleaning, and x-rays at half price for members.

How to prevent tooth decay?

Regular brushing and flossing are the best defense against tooth decay. And finding a way to budget for preventative visits to the dentist will help too. There’s no guarantee that you won’t ever need a filling or a root canal procedure. But if you do have a problem, finding it and getting it fixed right away will keep the problem from getting bigger and more expensive. And that’s important—especially when you don’t have dental insurance.

How to get discounts on dental services?

Be on the lookout online and in the local newspaper for deals and coupons for dental services. New dental practices especially, will sometimes attract new patients with discounts and low introductory prices. We don’t recommend holding off on important dental procedures, but if you happen to find a deal when you’re in need—go for it!

How to help a young dentist?

The cost of services is usually less than an experienced dentist would charge. And while the students might still be learning, they are trained and supervised by their professors, most of which are practicing dentists. It’s a great way to help out a young dentist and save money on dental care.

What to do if you don't have insurance for dental?

If you have a dental emergency and you don't have insurance, try to find an emergency dentist near you by calling the United Way or your local health center as mentioned above.

How do I find a cheap dentist?

The main question on the minds of most people is ‘Where can I find a cheap dentist near me?' You can call 800-794-7437 to check for dentists in your area and ask for prices without insurance.

What association is dental school affiliated with?

When considering a dental school, make sure it's one associated with the American Dental Association; you can search for a program near you here.

How many people in the US have no dental insurance?

But the unfortunate truth is that around 1/3 of adults in the US have no form of dental benefits coverage. And many of those who do have some dental benefits are grossly underinsured, meaning they still can't afford the care they need.

Why do dental schools have clinics?

Dental schools often have clinics where their students work in order to gain experiences treating real patients. And you can be sure that the care you receive will be good quality because these are students who are reaching the end of their studies and getting ready to go out into the real world, some even starting their own practices.

What to do if you lose blood?

If you are losing serious amounts of blood or are in excruciating pain, and believe your life is in danger, visit the emergency room. If you want to read more about what constitutes as a dental emergency, you can check out our article here.

Can you get dental cleanings without insurance?

If you don't have dental insurance, even dental cleanings without insurance can be too expensive. Not to mention fixing a tooth abscess without insurance. It can be difficult to find the care you need, but the good news is, chances are that with some searching, you'll be able to find treatment that you can afford.

How much money do you send to a dentist?

You may also find a dentist who will let you build up a credit over time. Maybe send them $25-50 per week on an automatic payment until you build enough to have an appointment. You can also pick up a secondary dental insurance, but be on the lookout for waiting periods.

How to avoid dental emergencies?

Avoid Dental Emergencies by Having a Dentist “Triage”. Nobody can tell you for certain when a tooth is going to blow up and necessitate emergency dental treatment, but dentists can typically tell you which problem areas look like they’re going to cause serious issues first.

What are some dental emergencies in which the only thing to do is rush to an emergency room?

These include situations in which there is uncontrolled bleeding, severe pain, disorientation, or difficulty breathing.

How long do you have to wait to get a dental emergency?

Dental insurance typically has a waiting period of 6-12 months ( and, in some cases, up to two years) before you’re covered for procedures such as root canals, crowns, and other restorative treatments.

What is the best alternative to dental insurance?

Dental savings plans, the affordable alternative to dental insurance, are often your best option when you need emergency dental care. Since emergencies don’t happen on schedule – or on pay day – you need a solution that will help you pay for the care you need now – and may need in the future. You need a dental savings plan, also known as ...

What is the best treatment for a chipped tooth?

Procedures for chipped or cracked teeth include bonding, dental crowns, and/or root canal treatment. The worst-case scenario is extraction. Loosened teeth can often be stabilized by splinting, especially if you see a dentist within six hours of the accident. Root canal treatment may also be needed.

What are some dental injuries that are less urgent?

Injuries That Are Less Urgent. Other dental injuries that are less urgent but still require a dentist’s care include: Broken teeth can be repaired in a variety of ways, depending on how much tooth structure is involved and whether or not the tooth’s nerve has been damaged. Procedures for chipped or cracked teeth include bonding, dental crowns, ...

What is the treatment for tooth pain?

Root canal treatment may also be needed. Tooth pain that persists is usually a symptom of an infection. Treatment ranges from a simple filling to a root canal. If the tooth can’t be saved, an extraction will be performed.

Is dental insurance good for you?

Dental insurance is great for preventive dental care – regular checkups and cleanings are often free or nearly so if you have dental insurance. And since some dental insurance companies negotiate lower rates with their in-network dentists, you’ll likely get a lower rate on dental treatments as well – assuming you’re seeing an in-network dentist, have met your annual deductible, and aren’t nearing (or over) your annual spending limit.

Do I Really Need to Find a Dentist?

It is important to remember that dental health is connected to a person’s overall health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Searching for a Dentist

Starting the search. For the uninsured, finding an affordable dentist is essential. But it is also important to find someone who is friendly and welcoming, with good credentials and a clean, well-equipped office. Here are some tips for finding someone who checks all of these boxes:

Prevention is Cheaper than Treatment

One way to get by without dental insurance is to prevent problems with your teeth. Taking good care of your teeth is no guarantee that you will never get a cavity or need a root canal, but it can make the need for extensive dental work less likely. This means making good oral hygiene a priority with regular brushing and flossing.