I Need Dental Work but Have No Money (SEE WHAT TO DO)

Dental work can be expensive, and most people don’t have dental insurance to cover the work they need.

This makes it necessary to find ways to pay for dental work without going into debt, selling valuables, or living with troubling teeth problems.

One in three American adults lacks dental insurance. Even with insurance, costly dental care can force you to incur high out-of-pocket costs.

There are numerous ways you can get dental care without having to spend money.

First, determine whether your dental issues resulted from an accident, such as an injury from playing sports or an accident at work.

These would choose if you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits or are eligible for free or low-cost dental care through your state Medicaid system.

Here are several ways to pay for dental work without money.

Table of Contents

8 Ways to Pay for Dental Work With No Money

Government Dental Programs

Public dental clinics are run by the taxpayer and supported by federal subsidies.

Several government dental programs can help you get necessary dental work done, even if you have no money. They include:

Medicaid (if your state participates),
VA/DoD or Tri-Care insurance, and
Indian Health Services.

Each program has its qualifications and rules; it’s worth researching each if eligible.

Note that these programs won’t cover cosmetic dentistry unless deemed medically necessary by a doctor or dentist.

Nonprofit Organization

Since you have no money, you will have to apply through a nonprofit organization.

Call a couple of local nonprofit medical organizations and ask if they provide dental work.

Nonprofits are always searching for those to help. Consider researching these organizations.

In most states, Medicaid fully pays for children’s dental treatment up to age 19.

However, about one-third of states provide only basic dental coverage for adults, and another third pays for substantial dental work.

The mission of Mercy offers free two-day dental clinics in fairgrounds, high schools, and other sites.

Through Employee Benefits

Dental coverage may be cheaper than you think if your job offers dental coverage. However, if you’re still responsible for a portion of your bill, ask if they provide any employee discounts or other programs to help you keep costs down.

For example, many companies allow employees to use flexible spending accounts.

These accounts allow you set aside some pre-tax money to cover qualified health-related expenses like dental work.

Healthcare Credit Cards

Healthcare credit cards work similarly to traditional credit cards. Still, they are specifically designed for people who need help with medical care.

The Credit CARD Act of 2009 forbids healthcare credit card companies from charging annual, balance transfer, and cash advance fees.

However, you’ll still likely be charged interest on your balance if you do not pay in full each month.

If you have no money, paying off these cards should be a top priority; even small interest charges can quickly snowball into thousands of dollars.

Charitable Organizations

Many charitable organizations can help you get quality dental work, often at a reduced cost or at no charge (depending on the organization).

For example, the American Dental Association has several local and national charities that provide such services.

These include Children’s Miracle Network and Operation Smile, which offer free dental care to underprivileged children worldwide.

Talk With Churches for Help

If you don’t have health insurance, you may be able to get help from a church.

While most churches do not have funds earmarked explicitly for dental care, some may have established programs to assist those needing medical care.

Contacting local churches may be a great way to find free or low-cost dental care.

Chances are some excellent Samaritan will offer you to pay for the dental bills if your case is stated in church.

Dental Savings Plan

Dental savings programs could be a smart choice for those without access to dental insurance.

Ask your favorite dentist if they participate in one and how much money you could save.

Dentists in the plan’s network offer discounts ranging from 10% to 60% off dental work.

Some dental insurance plans have an annual total payout cap of under $2,000 in some cases.

Self-Care

Prevention is the best and cheapest medicine. Brush and flossing keep your teeth and gums healthy.

However, people who smoke and have diabetes are at risk for gum disease and could require more frequent dental visits than twice a year. So, take better care of your overall health.

Conclusion

Your approach must be creative if you are short on cash and need dental work.

Take these eight ways to pay for dental work without any money, and you will find yourself at your dentist appointment with a smile that doesn’t hurt anymore. Your smile and your wallet will thank you.

We hope this guide was helpful; if you have any questions or contributions, drop them in the comment section below.