Dental Assistance Programs
There are a number of dental assistance programs available to help people who cannot afford dental care. These programs can provide financial assistance, discounted services, or free care.
- Medicare: Medicare covers dental services for some people, including those who are 65 years of age or older and those with certain disabilities.
- Medicaid: MedicaidA joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income ... is a state-run program that provides dental benefits to eligible individuals and families.
- CHIP: The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides medical coverage and dental services to people up to 19 years of age who qualify.
- Donated Dental Services (DDS): DDS programs provide free dental treatment to vulnerable people who cannot afford necessary treatment or get public aid.
- Community health centers: Community health centers offer a variety of affordable health care services, including dental care.
- Dental schools: Dental schools often offer discounted dental services to the public.
Dental Grants
There are also a number of dental grants available to help people pay for dental care. These grants are typically awarded to nonprofit organizationsEntities that use surplus revenues to achieve their goals rather than distributing them as profit or... that provide free or low-cost dental care to underserved populations.
- ADA Foundation Senior American Access to Care grants: These grants are given to nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost dental care to Americans age 62 and over.
- Dental Lifeline Network grants: These grants are given to nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost dental care to people with disabilities, veterans, the elderly, and the medically fragile.
- HRSA Oral Health Program grants: These grants are given to state and local governmentsMunicipal or county governments that provide grants and funding for community projects and services.... to support oral health programs for underserved populations.
