The main reason Americans don’t get regular dental care is cost.
No wonder. 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 reach 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. About 1 in 3 American adults lack dental insurance. Even with insurance, expensive services can result in high out-of-pocket costs.
But it’s possible to find free or low-cost dental care with research, patience, and luck.
Dental Schools
Every state has at least two dental or dental hygiene programs — Alaska has four, while New York has 160. They’re full of students who need hands-on training before they can graduate.
Most schools run clinics where students treat the public at lower prices. You might pay half or even less for root canals, fillings, and other services, compared with what established dentists charge. Expect your visits to take longer than usual because licensed supervisors check each step as the student works on you. The upside is that the treatment will be done by the book.
You can search the website for the Commission on Dental Accreditation for a school in your state.
Public Dental Clinics
These are taxpayer-funded clinics run by local or state health departments or federally funded community health centers. Many charge low, fixed prices or sliding fees based on how much you can afford. Most clinics offer exams, cleanings, X-rays, root canals, fillings, crowns, and surgical tooth extractions. Some may have emergency dentists on call.
Some clinics charge sliding fees based on how much you can afford. Others have low fixed prices, such as $15 for a full set of X-rays for kids. The nonprofit group Oral Health America has a website, Toothwisdom.org, with a national directory of affordable dental programs. Search for clinics run by health departments or by federally qualified health centers.
Do public clinics offer free dental implants?
Some clinics offer implants free, at reduced costs, or on a sliding scale. A resource called NeedyMeds.org lists more than 4,500 dental clinics that offer financial aid. You can search the list by location to find the help you need in your area.
Free Dental Clinics
The need for dental care far exceeds the supply. Many charities, faith-based groups, and professional dental organizations donate dental services. But their waitlists can be long or closed altogether. Some have income cutoffs or serve only seniors or people with disabilities or medical conditions.
Nonprofit clinics. Some cities have dental clinics that specifically serve people with low incomes, no insurance, or those who can’t afford care.
The Ben Massell Dental Clinic in Atlanta, for example, is staffed by volunteer dentists and specialists who offer a full range of services at no cost. Nashville’s Interfaith Dental Clinic accepts people with low incomes and no insurance on a first-come-first-serve basis. Fees are based on your ability to pay.
You can find some of these clinics via United Way’s 211.org website. Others may be listed on state or local directories of free or safety net dental clinics.
Donated services. Some state or national charities use donated labor and materials to give free care. Dental Lifeline operates in all 50 states and accepts people aged 65 and over, or those with permanent disabilities or serious medical conditions. A related program matches low-income children with volunteer orthodontists for braces and other treatments.
Mission of Mercy, a program run by America’s Dentists Care Foundation, hosts free two-day dental clinics at fairgrounds, high schools, and other places in different states. Some treat adults only, while others treat children as well. They usually don’t require proof of income and treat as many people in line as they can. Check the website for dates and locations of upcoming clinics.
Private dentists. Some dentists may handle a few cases a year for free. They may accept referrals from other dentists who are trying to help those who need lots of oral treatments but can’t afford them. 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.
Government Dental Coverage
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). You may be eligible even if you’re not a parent. In most states, Medicaid charges no monthly premiums. It covers dental care in full for children up to age 19. For adults, about one-third of states offer limited dental benefits, and another third cover a wide range of dental treatments.
Dental Savings Plans
It’s easy to confuse dental savings plans (also known as dental discount plans) with dental insurance, but they’re very different. Whether insurance or a discount plan (or some combination of the two) is right for you will depend on how much dental work you and your family need per year and how much you’re paying out of pocket.
How do dental savings plans work?
Dental savings plans work by giving you discounts of 10%-60% on services from dentists who are in the plan’s network. You pay a yearly fee (typically less than $150 for a family) with no deductible, so the discount applies right away.
Another potential benefit of dental savings plans is that you can use the discount within a few days of signing up. So, you can wait to buy one until you need dental care.
Who might want a dental savings plan?
It may be a good option for people without dental insurance or those seeking services not covered by insurance. This might include older people who don’t have dental insurance under Medicare or younger people who want discounts on services such as teeth whitening, which traditional insurance usually doesn’t cover.
You also might consider a dental savings plan if you need dental work that costs more than your dental insurance will pay. (Many dental insurance plans cap their total payout at less than $2,000 a year.) For example, saving 50% on two $1,000 root canals can add up quickly.
How do I find a dental savings plan?
Some companies offer the plans as part of their employee benefits package, and you can get them either through groups and associations or directly from major insurance companies.
If you have a dentist you like, ask them if they take part in one and how much you could save with it. If you’re open to new providers, call a few who are in the plan you’re considering to see if the savings would be worth it. Thousands of dentists take part in dental savings plans, and you can usually get a member list from the plan’s sponsor.
While many reputable companies offer dental savings plans, the industry does have some fraudsters. To avoid scams, request written information before making 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. The twice-a-year dental checkup has been the mainstay for decades. But there’s not much evidence that everyone needs to go that often. In one study, researchers looked at 16 years of insurance claims and found that for most nonsmokers in good health, one visit a year may prevent tooth loss just as well as a checkup every six months.
People who smoke, have diabetes, or are prone to gum disease may need to see their dentists more than twice a year. The same goes for people who naturally build plaque and tartar fast.
Skip what you can. Before your exam, ask about the plans for your visit and the fees. Check if you can do without a particular service. For example, many insurers pay for bitewing X-rays — which show cavities between teeth — every 12 months. The American Dental Association says teens and adults can wait up to three years between X-rays if they take good care of their teeth and don’t have any oral problems.
But if you have tooth decay or are likely to get cavities, you may need X-rays as often as every six months. If you skip them, they could cost you a tooth or require a costly root canal or a crown later.
Get wise about wisdom teeth. These teeth at the very back of your mouth usually come in during your late teens or early 20s. Some people never get them or get them with no issues. But wisdom teeth often can get impacted when they don’t have space to come out from the gum.
Many dentists suggest taking them out to avoid any problems. But some experts say extraction surgery is not a good idea for otherwise healthy teeth.
Ask your dentist if your wisdom teeth need to come out right away or if you can wait a few months or years. You may also get a second opinion. Remember that putting off an urgent extraction could make it costlier and more complicated in the end.
Rethink braces. Straightening and aligning teeth is a costly process that involves many trips to your dentist or orthodontist to adjust your appliance and check your progress. More often than not, people get braces for cosmetic, not medical, reasons.
Sometimes, a poor bite can cause pain and keep your or your child’s teeth and jaw from working properly. Braces can correct that. Other times, you may want to get braces simply to look and feel better. Either way, check if you can pay in installments and if you can skip any services to keep costs down. Be upfront about your money situation, and ask what’s best for you.
Do-it-yourself clear aligners have become very popular but may not be a good choice. Aligning your teeth properly takes precision. The one-size-fits-all approach could damage your teeth, bite, and/or jaw.
Do Your Part
Keep in mind that prevention is the best and cheapest medicine. Brush and floss every single day. Flossing prevents plaque and the cavities that follow it. Brushing keeps your teeth and gums healthy.
Know the signs when something minor turns serious. Call your dentist if you notice:
- Pain. Eating and chewing should not hurt.
- Sensitivity. Your teeth are always sensitive, especially to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks.
- Swelling. Even if it doesn’t hurt, swelling inside your mouth could indicate irritation or infection.
- Bleeding. Your gums shouldn’t bleed every time you brush.
- Bad breath. If it doesn't go away, it can mean infection.
If dental or gum disease runs in your family, make sure to be checked for signs of those conditions so you can catch them early.
FAQs on Free or Low-Cost Dental Care Without Insurance
How much is a dentist visit without insurance?
The cost of a dental visit without insurance can vary widely, from about $75 to several thousand dollars. Your cost depends on things such as where you and your dentist are located, the condition of your oral health, and what kind of services you receive.
I need dental work but have no money. What can I do about it?
Check with free, low-cost, and sliding scale dental clinics. Those may include dental school programs and community health clinics.
How much is a cleaning at the dentist without insurance?
A routine dental cleaning without insurance usually costs between $75 and $200. Your exact cost depends on various factors including your location, your dentist, the type of cleaning you receive, and the condition of your teeth. Deep cleanings (usually done on one-fourth of your mouth per session) can total $1,500 or more.
