Your dental health is quite important for your total well-being. An aching tooth, swollen and bleeding gums will affect your overall health.
Most people tend to overlook their dental health and only pay attention to it when they have a dental issue. Running to the dentist will reveal more dental problems than was suspected. Daily dental care and continuous trips to see the dentist helps ensure good dental health.
Trips to the dentist’s office can eat deep into your pocket, especially if you are visiting for surgery or tooth repairs. Having dental insurance helps to reduce the cost of such expenses. If you do not have such insurance, your next best option is to find where to get low-cost or free dental care. You can find a dental insurance coverage here.
Now let’s take a look at how you can get access to free or low-cost dental care in the US
1. Your Local Health Department Can Help With Vital Information
Numerous health care programs are being funded either fully or partially by the US government and in collaboration with other establishments. A typical example is the federal-funded health centers around the US in collaboration with the Bureau of Primary Health Care providing free or reduced-cost health services including dental care.
Your local health department knows all the requirements and available health programs run by the government. Go there for information.
2. Dental Schools
Dental students need to practice what they learn before they can graduate. Most dental schools run dental clinics that provide low-cost dental care.
3. Dental Hygiene Schools
Just like their counterparts in dental schools, they also need human specimens to treat to practice what they have learned. They are usually under supervision during such work.
4. Clinical Trials
Researchers are always on the prowl for volunteers to partake in clinical trials. Through this process, you can receive free or low-cost treatment as a participant. Institutes like the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) are always in demand of volunteers for their clinical trials.
5. Free Dental Clinics
Mostly organized by religious bodies, professional organizations, charities, and the likes. They often offer free basic dental care, teach on dental hygiene and care, perform some basic dental surgery if possible. You may have to make a stipend payment as a treatment fee. There could be a long waiting list except you require a dental emergency that needs prompt attention from the personnel available.
6. Medicare
This is a health insurance program for people who are aged, usually around 65 years or more, and those that have one disability or the other are included. If you are this age, have parents this age, or know someone who is, Medicare covers dental care but not for routine dental care or dentures.
7. Medicaid
This health insurance scheme is run differently by each state within the nation. Their guidelines show in detail who is eligible and the kind of services they offer.
8. CHIP
Known as the Child Health Insurance Program for children from 0 to 19 years with no health insurance coverage. This program varies from state to state.
Dental care is expensive in the US. Apart from having medical insurance, using these other avenues of getting your dental needs addressed are also good alternatives that you can check out.