Low Income Dental Care

Dental care is an important part of any health care regime. However, it is often very expensive, so dental care may seem out of reach for low-income families. Whether you have a need for routine preventative care or extensive work such as dentures, there are low-income dental programs to assist you in finding affordable dental care.

Sliding scale clinics

Often, the best options for low-income individuals are sliding scale clinics. These clinics base the fee you pay on your income. Individuals with no income often pay cost; sometimes the fee is even lower because of subsidies from the state, grants or other income sources. The more an individual makes, the higher the cost of his or her care. Low-income families can find prices much lower than those charged by general dentist at using a sliding scale clinic. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is a good place to start when looking for a sliding scale clinic; take a look at its website for more details (http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx).

Dental discount plans

If you cannot find a sliding scale clinic or do not qualify, consider purchasing a discount dental plan. These plans offer prices that are pre-negotiated with providers. The end result is lower out-of-pocket costs. Most plans have a yearly cost that ranges from 100 dollars to 150 dollars for individuals to 120 to 250 dollars for families. Dentalplans.com offers an extensive selection of these plans. If you have specific needs in mind, you can call dentalplans.com and ask for the cost of the procedures you need in your local area under available plans. The discounts are generally 20 to 60 percent.

Look for plans that offer free preventative services like exams and cleanings to keep your family's teeth healthy.

If you are looking for dental care but find the prices out of your budget, do not despair. With a little investigation, you can find a sliding scale clinic or a discount dental plan to help you afford the care you and your family need.