Is the cost of dental work keeping you from dealing with that nagging toothache?
You’re far from alone — fortunately, there’s help available.
Across the country, numerous dental practices host free dental days during the year, offering services like cleanings, fillings and extractions at no charge.
Free Dentistry Day coordinates this nationwide effort to help people access necessary dental care. Their site notes that financial hardship can put dental treatment out of reach, particularly for the more than 130 million Americans without dental insurance.
“Participating offices are able to help those who would otherwise not receive dental care at all,” said Kathy Scent, a practice administrator in the Chicago area, in a video about the program on the site.
“Some haven’t seen a dentist in years — either because they don’t grasp the importance of oral health or, more commonly, they simply lack the financial means,” she added.
Since its start in 2010, Free Dentistry Day reports that over 2,500 patients have received more than $1 million in complimentary dental services.
The program’s website lists participating offices by location at local dates and sites. For November, nearly two dozen clinics have signed up, with locations in Indiana, Missouri, Virginia, Oklahoma, Florida, Illinois, South Carolina, Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Arizona.
With Veterans Day approaching, roughly half of the upcoming free dental days are dedicated to former service members. To receive those veteran-focused services, patients need to show a veteran’s ID, a license marked with a veteran designation or discharge documentation.
Information on eligibility, available procedures and the schedule for each event is posted on Free Dentistry Day’s site under each listed date and location.
The initiative’s Facebook page is another resource for updates about upcoming free dentistry events.
Many clinics provide care on a first-come, first-served basis, while others ask that patients make appointments ahead of time. So be prepared to register early — or get in line promptly.
If there aren’t any free dental days nearby, consider alternatives like treatment at a student dental clinic, enrolling in a dental savings plan, or exploring other options for spending too much on dental care heres how to fix your teeth for less and affordable dental care. You can also learn ways to save money on dental care for your whole family.
There are several strategies to reduce costs when it comes to oral health. Now you won’t have that same excuse for putting off a dental visit!
Alex Martin is a staff writer at Savinly. He’s due for a dental checkup.
