How to see a dentist when you have no insurance

Where to find a free or low-cost dentist

The federal Health Resources and Services Administration, called HRSA, lists the main ways to find lower-cost dental care. These are the places it points to, and each is worth a phone call.

• Community health centers may offer dental care, and at many of them the cost is based on your income.
• Dental schools and dental hygiene schools let students treat patients under the watch of licensed dentists, often at a reduced cost.
• Your state or local health department may know about free or low-cost dental programs near you.
• Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, called CHIP, may cover dental care if you qualify.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, a federal research agency, also suggests calling 2-1-1, a free helpline for local services. It adds that research studies sometimes offer limited free or low-cost dental treatment for the condition they are studying.

A search for a "free dental clinic near me" often finds only a few options, and the waits can be long. Free clinics and events are run by local groups, so what is open changes from place to place. Your health department or 2-1-1 can tell you what is running in your area.

Community health centers and dental care

A community health center is a federally supported clinic that serves everyone, even people who cannot pay. HRSA says health centers adjust their fees based on income and family size, so people with lower incomes generally pay less. These centers also treat medical and dental needs, according to HRSA.

Not every health center has a dentist on site. When you call, ask whether the center offers dental care and whether there is a waiting list. Also ask what documents you need to show your income. HRSA has a tool called Find a Health Center that searches by address or ZIP code.

Our directory lists physicians and does not list dentists. For dental care, start with our guide on community health centers and the health center tool above.

Dental schools and training clinics

A dental school has a clinic where students learn by treating patients. Licensed dentists closely watch the work, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Dental hygiene schools may also offer lower-cost cleanings and checkups.

Before you book, ask the school about the fee and the wait for an appointment, and ask how many visits a treatment may take. Student clinics can be slower than a private office, because a teacher reviews each step. For many people the lower fee is worth that trade.

What does a dentist cost without insurance?

We do not give a dollar range on this page. We looked for a current national dental price from a government agency, a research group or a health system. We could not find one we trust, and dental prices also change a lot from one office to the next.

Most of the bill depends on the work you need. A basic checkup is usually a smaller charge than a filling, a crown, a root canal or having a tooth pulled. X-rays are often billed as their own item. A dentist may also charge a different price for a new patient visit.

We have separate guides on what common dental work costs without insurance. They cover wisdom teeth removal, braces, a teeth cleaning and a tooth extraction. Other guides cover fillings, root canals, crowns, dentures and dental implants. Each one shows sample fees from published lists and where to ask for a lower price.

Ask the office for the self-pay price, which is the price for people paying without insurance. Then ask for a written list of each step and its cost. Our guide on how to ask for the cash price has a phone script. The good faith estimate guide explains your right to a written estimate when you schedule care ahead of time.

Medicare and Medicaid cover dental care in different ways

Original Medicare generally does not pay for routine dental care such as cleanings and fillings, according to Medicare. It may pay for some dental services tied to a covered medical treatment. Some Medicare Advantage plans, which are sold by private insurers, add dental benefits.

Medicaid rules for dental care are different in each state. Federal law sets no minimum for adult dental coverage under Medicaid, so each state decides. Medicaid must cover dental services for children who are enrolled, and CHIP covers some dental care for children up to age 19. Contact your state Medicaid office to find out what is covered.

Questions to ask before you book

Short questions on the phone can save you a surprise later. Write down the answers, along with the name of the person and the date.

Start by asking whether the office sees patients who do not have insurance and is taking new patients. Then ask whether it has a sliding fee scale or an income-based discount, and what proof of income it needs.

Next, ask for the self-pay price of a first exam and any X-rays. If you need more work, ask for a written plan with the cost of each step before the dentist starts.

You can also ask whether payment in installments is possible and whether a plan adds any interest or fee. When you cannot pay the full amount, ask who you can talk to about your options.

If a dentist says you need several treatments, you can ask which ones are most urgent and which can be scheduled later. That is a question for the dentist, and this page cannot answer it.

Ways to lower the bill and what to do in an emergency

HRSA suggests asking whether a provider offers discounts based on income, which is called a sliding fee discount program. HRSA also suggests that you ask each office about payment plans. If a bill has already arrived, our guide on negotiating medical bills has steps that also work for dental bills.

Any regular doctor can look at a problem in your mouth or face and tell you where to go next. You can search for a cash-pay doctor near you.

Heavy bleeding or a serious injury to the face is an emergency, and so is a swollen face or neck with trouble breathing. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. This page gives general information and is not medical advice.