Free Dental Care For Senior Citizens

Senior citizens may have a tough life when they don’t have enough savings and a good financial situation. They may not afford to get the required treatment, especially dental care that they need at this age. They often face dental complications such as gum disease, tooth decay, and oral health problem. But from every aspect of the government, non-profit organizations, dental schools, and other organizations, it is believed that seniors are not the less fortunate people, but they are also fortunate people to live longer and better. 

In terms of dental care, there are numerous resources and assistance that they may check out and get free dental care for senior citizens. There is a dental school that takes patients with much lower costs and expenses. So, we have discussed so many issues regarding free dental care for senior citizens that may be helpful when they need dental work but have no money. As you are a senior and you are facing financial constraints, there are so many resources to go as well.

Importance Of Senior Dental Care

Seniors’ dental care is important because seniors are seen to lose their teeth at this level. They highly face gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral diseases due to a lack of such dental care. Surely seniors need to eat better food and may need to chew or use their teeth to take. When they have strong teeth, they can eat better and live longer. But seniors are more prone to tooth disease, and they need to brush twice a day, flossing daily. 

When three is a critical tooth problem or disease, it is important to visit the dentist and take dental care on a regular basis. It has been found that seniors who take such dental care on a regular basis still have a better and stronger tooth that brings a smiling face and eat what they want. So, there are so many dental care centers that seniors can visit to treat teeth and take care of teeth as well. Even if they don’t have any complications in the tooth, they should visit the dentist who can find out any complications that do not appear or are not identified by the senior people. 

Dental Care For Seniors And Its Cost

As said, the seniors should visit the dentist to make sure they can take proper care and treatment. There is different dental care that may be prescribed by the dentist. These includes

• Dental exams every 12 months 
• X-rays 
• Teeth cleaning every 12 months 
• Scaling and root planning
• Fluoride varnish for every 12 months 
• Fillings 
• Crowns 
• Root canals
• Partial and full dentures 
• Denture reclines tooth removable 
• Emergency services 

These are dental care and the dentist may prescribe you, anyone, depending on the nature of the tooth and other health factors. When you have lost a tooth, the dentist may go for dentures or dental implants. When you are a senior it is important to check your tooth to make your tooth healthy. 

On average, the cost of dental care comes by $1000 for seniors without any insurance coverage, and this is an out-of-pocket dental expense. Additionally, the cost of those dental services is also increasing, and they don’t afford to go due to low income and other reasons.

10 Places To Get Free Dental Care For Senior Citizens

So, there are some places where free dental care or low-cost dental care is available. So, we have discussed such places that have low costs and free dental care for seniors. 

1. Medicare 

Medicare is one of the popular health programs for low-income people and senior citizens. This is the federal government’s health program to make Medicare stronger for health care for senior citizens. But Medicare does not pay for dental care such as Fillings, cleanings, root canals, and dentures but you may get covered with the help of Medicare Advantage plans. These advantage plans cover dental-related emergency examinations such as tooth extraction before surgery. Additionally, there are dentists that take Medicaid for adults and you may search according to your location.

2. Dental lifeline network 

When people are facing hardships in terms of medical care, this organization helps those people in hardships. This is a non-profit organization with a charity aim. It provides free dental care for disabled people who are 65 years old. So, this organization can be a good fit for seniors as it works to eliminate hardships for low-income senior citizens. So, you, as a senior, may check out this organization near your location and check out their programs for you. 

3. Community health centers 

The community health center is located near your location, and one can easily reach this community. But the fact is this community health center provides free dental care and support for needy people. This community health center is subsidized by the US Department of Health and Human Services and it aims to help people who need health care and support. But it is important to check out the programs and also dental care options as every community health center may have different types of programs and services for the people. 

4. American Dental Association 

Low- and middle-income people can get different assistance and support from different charity-based organizations. American dental association is also one of the charity-based organizations that make sure dental care support low-income families and seniors. The programs may vary according to different states, and you may check out their website for the programs according to your location.

5. Dental school clinics

Dental schools may be one great place to get free dental care for seniors. Dental care is provided with the help of some clinics run by these dental schools. When you are a senior and struggling with the growing cost of living, you may search such dental schools clinics where you may explain your condition and go for free dental care. 

6. Dental schools 

dental Schools are a great way to get free Dental Care for seniors. The most important thing to know is that seniors can get free service from the students because there are many students who provide service as part of their education. But the students are also guided and supervised by their experienced teachers. Seniors may reach these dental schools to get dental care free of cost. 

7. Asking for discounts 

There are some local dental clinics where dentists have different plans and programs as discount programs for different types of people. When you are a senior, you need to find such dental clinics and you can explain that you don’t afford to go for dental care. Luckily your local dentist may offer you discounts for dental care to make sure you can get low-cost dental care based on the discount. 

8. Search for offers and deals 

This greatly works when new dental clinics have been set up in your location. This type of dental clinic goes for deals and coupons as part of its publicity. If you find such newly opened dental clinics, you may ask for deals and coupons. If they have such plans, you may get low-cost or free dental care as a senior. More importantly, they may have special plans and deals for moderate, low-income, and senior citizens as part of their social responsibility to be a good business organization firstly. 

9. Seek assistance from local churches and charities 

Local churches and charities always stand beside less fortunate people, and they have numerous programs to make sure they can make a difference in the community. When you are senior and struggling with financial constraints, you reach out to local charities and churches where you may get assistance with dental care. There are also non-profit organizations that also provide such assistance to people in hardship. So, you need to reach there with a problem like dental care. Then you may get assistance from this platform. 

10. Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

Low-income and moderate-income older citizens have numerous resources to get help in any situation in their life. Part of this PACE also stands beside the low- and moderate-income older citizens who are 55 years old. There are different programs such as adult day care, emergency treatment, dental care, home care meal support, hospital care, nursing care, and many more. So, you can check out this program according to your location and also go to programs available near your location. 

Ways To Get Free Dental Care Easily

There are so many resources and assistance available for senior citizens to get free dental care. It is just about searching in the right way. Here are some ways you may get free dental care as well

Pick the Medicare advantage plans 

When there is any issue with health care for senior citizens, then Medicare comes as the first resource. But Medicare does not pay the dental care but Medicare Advantage plans may cover dental care such as preventive care like oral exams, X-rays, and cleanings. Benefits may vary but this may come as plans. 

Share your financial constraints 

As you don’t have enough savings and struggling with the growing cost of living, you need to share it. Surly your living well is important and it is highly considered to have a better living for the seniors. When you have a such financial crisis, you should not forget to share it. Even if you are visiting your dentist, you may share it with the dentist, who may find any way for you. The dentist may guide you to go places where you may get low-cost dental care or free dental care. 

Visit a dental school clinic 

The dental school clinic is the place where research and development are available in terms of dental care. People who have dental health problems may visit dental care free of cost. The best thing to know is that low-income people and senior citizens can get the same treatment from the dentist as there are students who provide treatment but they are controlled and guided by their senior doctors. They provide such services as part of their internship practice but the cost may be zero as well. 

Sign up for free dental plans 

There is a dental savings plan that can limit your spending. So, you may pay an amount monthly to get such free or low-cost dental plans. Additionally, this may come as a one-time payment for getting discounts as well. 

Join dentist membership plans 

In so many cases, it is common to find a dental office that offers dental plans and you may pay a little amount to get the plans. Additionally, this may also come as members of the dental offices and you may join as well. There are so many dental offices and dental clinics which are providing such programs and you may check out such from those dental offices. 

Search free and low-cost dental providers 

When you have a low income, it is important to save money in every sphere of life. Saving money is not easy because you need to find different options and plans. As part of this, you will find free and low-cost dental points for dental care. Some dental points are funded and supported by non-profit organizations and the government. In this case, you may get started with the local health department and United way, an online search to make sure you can reach those organizations for low-cost and free dental care. 

Does Medicare pay for dentures Fillings and routine teeth cleaning?

There is a Medicare Advantage plan that you need to check this plan covers dentures, Fillings, and routine cleaning. But original Medicare part A and part B do not cover routine oral health or dental care like teeth cleaning, fillings, dentures, and root canals. 

When does Medicare pay for dental care?

Medicare plans are designed for numerous options and it is important to study such options. When it comes to dental care, this may pay for tooth extraction in case it is necessary before heart surgery. Additionally, a person with oral cancer may get a procedure covered prior to radiation treatment. But it is important to note that Medicare does not cover the cost of implants and dentures but it is found that Medicare pays for some services as preparation for a medical procedure. 

How do I get assistance to treat my tooth quickly? 

Surely low-income seniors have to go through a tough life when they don’t have enough funds and money to go for treatment. But they are seniors and they are our guardians and different dental school and other non-profit organizations come forward to help them. Surely it is important to explain your need for assistance with dental care that can attract the assistance provider. Then you can get assistance as quickly as possible. 

Final Verdict

Seniors are the guardians and they need support and treatment to make sure they can live better and longer. The government also believes that they should live happily and strongly till their death. For this, there are Medicare, non-profit organizations, other charities, and organizations that come forward to help seniors. So, the seniors may study such resources and services with genuine and authentic information to get started. Then they can get assistance as they are in a financial crisis and don’t afford to go as well.