How to Find Free Dental Care for Adults in Tennessee
You have probably already discovered that finding quality dental care can be difficult, especially when you have a low or nonexistent budget. Fortunately, Tennessee offers several free dental care programs and clinics across the state. Although it may cost you some time to contact various organizations, complete applications for free care and travel to the area, you will save yourself hundreds or thousands of dollars by receiving free dental care.
Instructions
-
-
1
Contact your Tennessee county's health department. Tennessee offers dental clinics for underprivileged patients in 53 counties and five metropolitan areas; it also offers a mobile service for under-served areas. Go to health.state.tn.us to see a map with the counties that have dental clinics within the county health department. Note that this list is exhaustive with low cost dental clinics, children's initiatives and free dental clinics. Write down the phone number for the county health department nearest you. Call and inquire about free dental service for adults as some counties will not have free dental clinics or will only operate on children.
-
2
Use an online clinic database such as freedentalcare.us or freemedicalcamps.com to find private or nonprofit free dental clinics. Pick your county or city in Tennessee. Watch as a list of available free clinics in your area pops up. Click on each prospective clinic for contact information and information pertaining to the types of services offered at that particular dental clinic.
-
-
3
Contact the Dental Hygiene Clinic at Tennessee State University.This clinic will sometimes host free treatment days for adult patients without insurance where they provide free screenings and cleanings.
-
4
Visit the Dental Angel Fund Foundation website. This organization provides free dental care to patients who are experiencing pain or threatening infections. Meet eligibility requirements which include falling below 185 percent of the national poverty income guidelines, being uninsured and having a diagnosis that requires a tooth extraction. Click on "Application" on the website. Download, print and complete the application. Send to the address provided.
-
5
Contact the Ronald McDonald House Foundation. Inquire about the CareMobile and when it will be in Tennessee and in which locations it will travel. This well-equipped mobile dental unit provides a variety of services including preventative and restorative dental care, exams, teeth cleaning and X-rays. Adults only between the ages of 18 to 21 are eligible to receive services.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Expand your search for low cost or sliding fee scale dental care for even more options. Only a limited number of free clinics exist, but you can find dozens of clinics that offer reduced cost dental care instead.
Do not expect to receive treatment immediately. Many of the free clinics have appointments scheduled weeks in advance so call and schedule an appointment immediately when you know you will need dental care. Otherwise, find an organization that will complete emergency care.
References
- Tennessee Department of Health: Dental Clinics
- Tennessee State University: TSU serves the community with free dental treatment days
- Dental Angel Fund Foundation: Funds Criteria
- FreeDentalCare.Us: Tennessee Free Dental Care Clinics
- Free Medical Camps: Greenlaw Health Center
- The Chatanoogan.com: Ronald McDonald Care Mobile
Resources
- Photo Credit dentist image by Sandor Kacso from Fotolia.com
