Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Is there any government aid to help with dentist bills? Yes, there are several programs out there that you may be able to qualify for, so you can get the dental work done when you need it. Whether you need your teeth cleaned, a root canal, bridge, or need a tooth pulled, you will have some options, especially if you need emergency work done on your teeth and possibly your gums. Before you go and drop your current coverage, in hopes of getting aid from the government, you may need to check into the programs offered and the general requirements you will need to meet. Lets dig into getting some free government aid to help with dentist bills.

General Requirements

Of course, this will vary a lot, depending on the programs you are able to get in your area. Since there are so many variances, the general guidelines listed are simply what you will typically find when you apply for assistance with dental work. Lets look at some of the typical guidelines and restrictions in more detail.

Low Income: Families, single parents (moms and dads), and just about anyone else that meets general low income requirements can find government aid for dentist bills. Poor or needy families and single people, especially mothers and fathers, are much more likely to qualify for these types of assistance programs. Since most programs require your household income to be less than 150% of the poverty level in your local area, its safe to say youll need to meet income guidelines in most cases. Still, its a good way to get some help with dental payments.

No Dental Insurance At Work: Most states offer varying degrees of medical help, including dentist work. At the core of most government aid programs like this, is the lack of dental insurance available through employment. If your employer doesnt offer this type of plan, you may be able to get some help with your bills and with future work you may need done.

Those That Qualify For Other Programs: What types of government aid do you currently get? There are many different assistance programs out there like food stamps, free health insurance, rent assistance and some others. If you are able to qualify for these types of programs already, theres a good chance you can get help with dentist bills and future dental needs. Its worth looking into to see if you qualify.

Finding Help

Where can I look for government programs and aid with dentist bills and for future dental work? Is there really such a thing? Yes, there are such assistance programs, but they can be rather hard to track down. Since there are several possibilities for you to apply for assistance with dental insurance, you will need to see a few select people to help you get pointed in the right direction.

Local Courthouse: This is typically the first and only stop most people will need to make. If you are looking to find out if there really are government aid programs that help with dentist bills, youll find lots of options at most county courthouses. Youll have access to local, state, and federal applications for help. You will be able to quickly find out what the guidelines are in your area, so you can apply for assistance right away.

Dentist Office: If you prefer, you can always check with the local dental offices in your area. They are the ones that process the payments and receive them from the various government programs that are helping to pay their customers bills. They can give you the names of the programs they deal with, which can give you a good idea of where to start looking for help.

Federal Government: Medicare and Medicaid are two such programs that are offered for help. There are some others available, but will generally fall into the hands of state and local agencies.

State and Local Programs: State Childrens Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP) is available in most states. These are generally low income programs for dental insurance. Most programs are simply attached to state government medical insurance programs, where you can find aid with dentist bills.

Viable Alternatives

If you cannot qualify for these types of programs, you will have some real alternatives to keep in mind. Listed below are some options you will want to consider if you will not meet the criteria for inclusion in the programs.

Cheap Policies: You can find some pretty cheap dental insurance policies if you keep your eyes open. Some will simply cover routine cleanings and preventative maintenance, while others will cover more detailed work. You need to shop around for the best deal possible.

Discount Cards: Just like prescription discount plans, you can find some dental plans like this. While its not quite the same as finding government aid for dentist bills, it is something to keep in mind if you cannot qualify for the programs that are offered.

Dental Schools: Many people get haircuts at local cosmetology trade schools for a hefty discount. The same can be done for dental work. If you have some schools in your area, try giving them a call to see if they have a use for you to work as a training dummy, for lack of a better term. While having someone working on your mouth when they havent completed their training may not offer much for peace of mind, it can save you a lot of money. Best of all, the instructors overseeing the work are more than competent and able to do the work needed.

Public Health Offices: Heres a great way to get free dentist work done. While it may not be government aid for bills, it is a good way to get some free work done when you need it. Best of all, many public health providers dont have income restrictions. Its a great alternative that you may want to keep in mind when you need some work done.

Now that you know a little bit more about whether or not there is government aid for dentist bills and what you can qualify for, go out and apply for help.