Lack of dental care coverage is a serious problem for senior citizens.
Lack of dental care coverage is a serious problem for senior citizens, as dental health is not covered by Medicare, Medicare Advantage or Medicaid, except in very rare circumstances. Not only is dental care often expensive, but also dental health is of utmost importance in the maintenance of a vigorous, useful life. Dental infections are now believed to be one of the sources of some heart ailments; neglect can affect the person's overall health, perhaps fatally.
Begin Locally
The city or county health department is a good place to begin searching for possible dental services. Depending on the location, some public assistance may be available to county seniors, and if not, a health department official may suggest where to go next. For some, the next logical destination could be the local senior center, where volunteer dentists and staff may offer free or nearly free services, perhaps once each month. The director of the senior center will know if this help is available.
Local Associations
In most large communities the dentists have formed an association that confers to discuss mutual problems and needs. Occasionally, these groups of dental professionals will agree to provide minimal dental services at a local clinic run by a church, a service organization or a charitable group. Contact a dentist's office to find phone numbers and web addresses for the local dental association.
State Dental Associations
All 50 states in America have a state dental association consisting of all or most of the dental professionals in the state. These can be found by asking at the office of a practicing dentist for information or by searching on the Internet with the name of the state. These groups may be able to offer some help with the costs of dental treatment. However, all the associations are different so it will be difficult to assess without specific information. Some state websites encourage seniors to ask questions via email.
Other Sources of Assistance
University dental schools in nearly every state offer low-cost or free dental service, probably provided by students under the supervision of an experienced dentist/professor. Not everyone is conveniently located near a dental school, but try contacting even small branches of colleges and universities for information about what may be provided. The dental school can be a good way to secure more complex procedures than would be offered in a community clinic.
Buy Insurance
Dental insurance designed for seniors is usually low in cost and provides only fractional discounts for dental services, but some vendors offer discounts on vision care, hearing care and chiropractic services all for the same low price. These insurance plans can be purchased online or from an agent, and vary from company to company; a thorough investigation is warranted before making a decision. In addition, various senior citizen groups are associated with insurance plans and may provide deeper discounts to members.
