Key takeaways
- Medicare might not cover all the dental care you need. Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover dental care, including exams, cleanings, fillings and dentures.
- Dental discount plans offer another way to save. Programs like Delta Dental of Arizona’s Patient Direct® dental savings program give you access to lower rates from participating dentists without traditional dental insurance.
- Low cost dental care is available to those who qualify. Community health centers, dental schools and donated dental service programs may offer free or reduced-cost care for people who qualify.
- Affordable dental care can look different for everyone. Your income, dental needs and the type of help you want can all affect which option makes the most sense.
Affordable Dental Care for Seniors: Assistance and Low-Cost Options
Your teeth have been with you through a lot. And as the years add up, so can the dental work. Maybe you have a few fillings that have been around for decades, a crown or two, or teeth that simply need a little more attention than they used to. Changes that become more common with age, including dry mouth and gum disease, can make keeping up with your dental care even more important.
But knowing you need dental care and knowing how you’re going to pay for it are two different things. If it’s been years since you’ve had to figure out dental coverage or pay for care on your own, you might find yourself sorting through more options than you expected.
So, where do you start? The answer depends on the care you need, your budget and what you want from your coverage. Understanding what each option can—and can’t—do makes it easier to find one that works for you.
Can Medicare Help with Dental Costs?
Medicare already helps you manage many of your health care needs, so it makes sense to see what it can do for your dental care, too. This depends on the type of Medicare coverage you have.
If you have Original Medicare, you’ll most likely need another way to pay for regular dental care. Most cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions and dentures aren’t covered. Medicare can help with some dental services, but generally only if they are tied to certain covered medical care.
Medicare Advantage plans can give you more options. Some plans include dental benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t, but those benefits vary by plan. Even with dental benefits through Medicare Advantage, you might still have some dental costs to cover yourself.
Low-Cost Ways to Get Dental Care
If Medicare doesn’t cover the dental care you need, you may be wondering what your other options are. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to find free or reduced-cost care through community health centers, dental schools or donated dental service programs. Dental discount plans are an alternative to traditional dental insurance and can give you access to reduced rates from participating dentists.
Each option works a little differently, so it’s worth understanding what’s available and which one may fit your needs and budget.
Community Health Centers
Community health centers are worth a look if you need dental care that works with a tighter budget. Federally funded health centers provide care whether or not you have insurance. Many also use a sliding fee scale, which means that what you pay is based on your income.
Did you know?
The Arizona Department of Health Services has a tool to find reduced-fee and community dental clinics. Plus, the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation offers a listing of low-cost dental clinics in the state, as well as a guide to low-cost dental care in Arizona.
Dental Schools
A dental school might not be the first place you think of for dental care, but it can help you save money. Dental students provide the care while licensed dental professionals guide their work. You get the care you need at a lower cost while students get hands-on training.
The biggest tradeoff is usually time. Visits can take longer, and some care might require more than one appointment. If you have some flexibility in your schedule, the extra time might be worth the savings.
Donated Dental Services
Donated dental service programs may offer dental care at no cost to people who qualify, often with help from nonprofit groups, charities or volunteer dental professionals.
Some programs may provide cleanings and basic dental care, while others focus on urgent needs or offer certain services on specific days. You might also need to meet income, location or other requirements before you can get care, so it’s a good idea to check with the program sponsors first. Because these programs are often pop-ups or one-day events, or offered to individuals based on clinic referrals, they may be hard to find or rely on for ongoing care.
Dental Discount Plans
Maybe you don’t qualify for free or reduced-cost care, or you’d simply like a way to save that you can use more consistently. That’s where a dental discount plan, sometimes called a dental savings plan, can come in.
A dental discount plan is not dental insurance. Instead, you pay a membership fee to join and receive discounted rates from participating dentists. Typically, there are no claims to file, and you pay the discounted amount directly to the dentist when you receive care.
Save on dental care with Delta Dental Patient Direct!
This is a discount dental program that offers you an easy way to save money when you visit an Arizona dentist in the Patient Direct network. This includes fillings, crowns, orthodontics and cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening, if they are performed in office. Plus, there are savings on vision care services too.
A discount plan can make sense if your main goal is simply to spend less at the dentist. Before you choose one, check which dentists participate and how much you could save on the services you’re most likely to need.
Planning Ahead with Dental Insurance
Dental insurance can be another way to make dental care more affordable while helping you stay on top of routine care. Regular exams and cleanings are an important part of maintaining your oral health, and having dental benefits in place can make it easier to keep those appointments on your calendar. It can also help you prepare for the dental needs you can’t predict. You may go months or even years without needing anything beyond preventive care, then find out you need a filling, crown or other treatment. Having coverage in place can help reduce what you pay when those unexpected needs come up. When you’re comparing dental insurance, look beyond the monthly premium. Consider what the plan covers, what you’ll pay when you receive care and whether your dentist participates in the network. You’ll want to understand how the plan supports the routine care you expect to use and the other dental care you might need down the road.
Delta Dental of Arizona offers several individual and family dental plans, so you have options to compare. You can choose the level of coverage and cost that works for you. Plus, you’ll have access to Delta Dental’s large network of dentists and in-network savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Seniors can find free or low-cost dental care through community health centers, select dental clinics and dental schools. Some options base what you pay on your income, while others offer care at a lower or no cost if you qualify.
Yes. Some free dental clinics and programs provide care to seniors who qualify. Requirements can be based on income, age, where you live or other factors. Services and openings can also vary by clinic, so check what’s available before you make an appointment.
Yes. Dental schools may provide lower-cost dental care for seniors and other patients. Dental students provide care under the supervision of licensed dental professionals. Visits might take longer than at a regular dental office, but the lower cost can make this option worth considering.
Yes. Seniors can use dental discount programs like Delta Dental of Arizona Patient Direct to save on care from participating dentists. A discount dental plan is not insurance. You pay a membership fee for access to lower rates on certain dental services.
A dental discount plan is not insurance. It gives you access to reduced rates from participating dentists, but it does not pay for dental services. Instead, you pay the discounted amount directly to the dentist when you receive care. Dental insurance works differently: you pay a monthly or annual premium for a defined set of benefits, and your costs may include deductibles, coinsurance and limits such as an annual benefit maximum. Dental insurance is also subject to regulatory requirements and consumer protections that generally do not apply to dental discount plans.
Original Medicare generally does not cover routine dental care, such as cleanings, fillings or dentures. It can cover certain dental services when they are tied to covered medical care. Some Medicare Advantage plans include dental benefits, but coverage and costs vary by plan.
Yes! Delta Dental of Arizona offers individual and family dental insurance plans that seniors can buy on their own. There are several options with different levels of coverage and cost on our website.
