How to Get A Discounted Dental Cleaning When You Don't Have Dental Insurance

A visit to the dentist is expensive if you don't have dental insurance. With many Americans being laid off or losing their jobs due to the recession, people may be losing their dental insurance benefits. Learn how to find low cost dental care and continue regular teeth cleanings even if you don't have dental insurance.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Contact your local United Way. (The mission of the United Way is to improve the lives of individuals through strengthening the community.) This non-profit agency may be able to direct you to low-cost or free dental services in your area.

2. Take advantage of new patient offers. New dentists need customers coming through the door and they need to build their client list. They often place ads for discounted cleanings in local newspapers, community magazines, in advertising flyers, or on Craigslist. Keep your eyes open for new patient offers and give a new dentist a try.

3. Determine if there is a dental school, dental hygienist, or dental assistant training program in your area. Many offer free cleanings so that the students can practice on a real person. (The student will be fully supervised while she is cleaning your teeth.) Be aware that the cleaning may take longer than usual as the student is learning and moves at a slower pace. (See the resources section below for a complete list of dental training schools to find one in your area.)

4. Contact the Bureau of Primary Health Care. This government agency supports federally-funded health care programs. (Check the resources section below for a complete list of centers to find one near you.)

5. Contact your state or local health department. You may find information regarding small community programs or dentists or hygienists that can give you a free or reduced cost dental cleaning.

6. Call dentists in your area and ask. Explain your situation - that you currently do not have dental insurance - and ask if the dentist can offer you a special one-time discount for a cleaning. The worst that can happen is that they say no. (That is when you thank them for your time and call the next one on the list.)

7. Use personal connections. Maybe you know a dental hygienist, dental assistant, a dentist, or someone who works in the business office of a dentist's office. Explain your situation and see if they can help.

Tips & Warnings

• When you lose your dental insurance, you must be creative in finding low cost alternatives. Remember, you aren't the only person out there who may have recently lost his dental insurance due to a job cut.

Resources

• Find a Dental School in Your Area
• Find Low Cost Dental Care (Bureau of Primary Health Care)

[babblebubble]

on 10/18/2009 This is a very useful article. Thanks! 5*

[writegurl]

on 7/13/2009 Step #3 is golden. I've known several people who have gone through dental schools. 5*

[marielc]

on 5/30/2009 Those are some good tips to have when you need clean teeth.

[magnadea]

on 5/8/2009 Great tips, thanks! 5* and rec

[georgelarson]

on 5/4/2009 Good information for keeping your teeth healthy with regular cleaning, even without dental insurance.