How to Find Low-Cost Dental Care for Your Family

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Even with insurance, the expense of medical and dental care for a family can be high. First there is the
cost of insurance to contend with, and while you will certainly pay a lower premium if your employer
offers benefits, you will either pay more for the best policy or opt for lower monthly costs and likely find
yourself paying out-of-pocket down the road (thanks to restrictions and deductibles). And if you don’t
have access to work-related health benefits, you’re probably going to find yourself on the hook for a lot
more, either for insurance, care, or both. So if you’re one of the many adults looking for a way to get
your family the dental care they need for less, here are a few options you may want to consider.

1. Clinical trials. By simply searching on ClinicalTrials.gov you may be able to volunteer to
participate in professionally run studies dealing with certain oral issues. You may even receive
treatment free (or at least at a drastically reduced cost). Of course, you won’t likely be able to
go for your annual cleaning in this way, but if you have some kind of serious dental problem that
is going to cost you some major dough, this could be a way to get the lion’s share covered while
receiving cutting-edge treatment.

2. Dental schools. This is a safer bet for your average dental issues. There are likely several in your
area and they are always looking for volunteers to help students get their practice hours and
take practical exams. So whether you need a cleaning, a filling, a root canal, or a tooth removed
(or replaced), this is a good way to get it done for a lot less. And don’t feel like you’re going to
get stuck with a second-rate dentist; although the students will be working on you, they are
closely supervised by industry professionals (the teaching staff are often practicing dentists
themselves).

3. Area assistance programs. There are many programs in place to help struggling families get the
assistance they need in order to continue with a schedule of proper medical and dental care
(including preventive visits). To find federally funded programs in your area, check with the
Department of Health and Human Services. And while you’re at it, look online for prescription
assistance programs that can help you to purchase dental-related medications when necessary
(antibiotics, painkillers, and so on).

4. State health care. Some states offer a variety of low-cost services for individuals that are
uninsured or otherwise unable to pay for basic medical and dental care. You may be able to
take advantage of state-run facilities (like clinics) or you might even be eligible for a state health
insurance program (if one exists), with could mean that all you’re on the hook for is an in-office
co-pay for visits and a portion of prescription medications.

5. Low-cost insurance. In truth, many families don’t want to go without insurance and face the
constant stress of worrying about serious injury or illness. In this case, you can opt for discount
medical and dental plans, which generally come with low monthly payments but only cover
about 50-60% of costs. Still, it’s better than nothing. And if you have to forego insurance for a
while but decide you need it when something goes wrong, consider immediate dental insurance,
which you can purchase online and usually use the same day.