Every February, the American Dental Association promotes good dental health by sponsoring Dental Health Month. Although the activities are designed to teach children the importance of taking good care of their teeth, everyone can benefit from improved oral hygiene!  While Dental Health Month is a national campaign in the United States, there are no national outlets that provide free dental exams, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if you’re low on cash. Many participating Schools of Dentistry and Dental Assistant Schools do offer community clinics, as well as free and low-cost dental examinations.

To find a participating dentist, dental school or dental assistant school, first check all available local resources.  Usually, your county government offices can provide you with information on local programs that provide free or low-cost dental services.  In addition, many local dentists charge for certain preventative and basic dental services on a sliding scale.

If you live near a dental school or a dental assistant school, contact the college or university to see if they have an on-site dental clinic where students practice under the supervision of licensed professionals.  By getting services through these providers, you can receive high quality, low-cost (and sometimes free) dental care.  Getting care from students in training can require a significant time commitment, primarily because everything they do must be checked by a licensed professional.  If you decide to go this route, plan to leave yourself plenty of time!

Some communities have non-profit organizations dedicated to delivering low-cost dental services to community members. Sometimes, these clinics limit the patients they see. Some may provide services only to children, mentally or physically disabled individuals, qualified low-income individuals or families, or senior citizens.  Your county government, county dental professional society, or your local chapter of the United Way may have additional information about these agencies and any qualifications you’ll need to meet.

If you’re looking for dental care for your children, check with your child’s school.  Sometimes, public school systems offer in-house health services – including dental work – for the communities they serve. They may have a referral network of local dentists and other health providers who can deliver services at low- or no-cost to referred individuals.

Another good resource for free and low-cost dental services is your state’s Department of Health.  The Department of Health may maintain a list of dental service providers, and resources to help residents locate low- and no-cost dental services.  The service providers may have agreed to limit their fees based on income, residency or affiliation with a particular group or state program.  Services may include free oral examinations, fillings, sealings, x-rays and emergency dental work.

If you have a regular dentist and you’re running short on funds, talk to your provider about your situation. If your circumstances are temporary, your regular doctor may be able to provide services to you and your family on a sliding scale or may allow you to make multiple payments to cover the cost of treatment.  Likewise, your dentist may be able to point you to other resources that can help you acquire free or low-cost dental services until your circumstances improve.

If you’re considered low-income, your state may offer low-cost healthcare access programs or health insurance programs that may cover basic dental services. You may be required to pay a small monthly premium, or depending on your circumstances, participation in the program may be free.

Some college students may also have easy access to dental services through their college or university student health services. If your college or university also has a dental school, you may be able to get free dental care through the school!

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