Low-cost dental care: dental schools, health centers and public programs

Start with a dental school in your state, since the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research recommends contacting one to ask about its clinic services. Then try dental hygiene schools, a community health center, your state Medicaid program, your local health department and 2-1-1. Each has its own eligibility rules, so try more than one.

Students treat patients under close supervision by experienced, licensed dentists, according to the institute. That supervision is the safeguard. Ask who checks each stage of your treatment and what happens if a problem arises. Ask before you book. Ask how many visits the treatment will take, since a teaching clinic may need more of them than a private office.

Some do. The institute says hygiene schools may offer supervised, low-cost care as part of training for future hygienists. The American Dental Hygienists' Association keeps a list of hygiene schools, and the school itself can tell you what services its clinic offers and who is eligible.

By your income and family size. The Health Resources and Services Administration says health centers adjust their fees on that basis and must serve everyone, even people who cannot pay. Call the one nearest you and ask what dental care it provides and how it sets fees.

It depends on your state. States must provide dental benefits for children on Medicaid, but they can choose whether to cover adults. The institute says most states cover only limited dental services for adults, and some cover a lot. Contact your state Medicaid program to learn what applies to you.

No. Medicare only covers dental services related to certain medical conditions or treatments, and the institute says it does not cover dentures or most routine care such as checkups, cleanings or fillings. Call 1-800-633-4227 with your Medicare number handy to ask about a specific service.

Dialing 2-1-1 connects you with community services in your area, and the institute lists it as a way to find state and local resources. Ask about free or reduced-cost dental clinics, charitable programs and school clinics. Your state or local health department is another place to ask, and United Way may also point you to help.

Sometimes, for a specific condition. The institute recruits volunteers for research studies and says researchers may provide limited free or low-cost dental treatment for the condition being studied. Search ClinicalTrials.gov or the NIH Clinical Research Studies database. Ask what the study covers and what it does not.

Treat it as a scam. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research states that it does not offer dental implants, run implant clinical trials or provide financial assistance for dental treatment, and that ads, emails or texts claiming otherwise are likely fraudulent. Do not send money or personal details in reply.

Look at Medicaid and CHIP first. States must provide dental benefits for children covered by Medicaid, and CHIP provides dental services to children up to age 19, with details varying by state. Insure Kids Now, at 1-877-543-7669, helps you find children's dental programs in your state.

Use the Commission on Dental Accreditation's search tool. It lets you filter by type of program, state or city, and it covers predoctoral DDS and DMD programs, advanced programs and allied programs. Accreditation describes the education program. Whether it runs a patient clinic, and at what fees, is a question for the school.

The commission evaluates more than 1,400 dental and dental-related education programs. They include predoctoral programs that award the DDS or DMD, advanced dental education programs for graduates, and allied programs such as hygiene. Its search tool filters by type, state and city, which helps you find programs near you to ask about patient clinics.

Some can. The VA sorts veterans into benefit classes using military service history, current health and living situation, and each class carries specific dental benefits. Some classes receive any needed dental care, while others get only a one-time course of care or treatment tied to a health condition. If you do not qualify, the VA page explains how to buy dental insurance.