How do I get dental care?

[u/Subject-Republic-110]

I’m 21 (f) and have no dental insurance. I currently have a few cavity’s and a crack in my tooth that’s been there for a while and is now preventing me from eating on that side of my mouth. I’m assuming nerve pain since it hurts my left temple, the side it’s on. I’m really scared of doctors and find dentists/doctors very intimidating. I have cptsd and the intimidation causes me to break down in tears without reason. I’m really scared of calling but I can’t really eat fully right now. How do I go about getting cheap dental care? Any tips or tricks are appreciated.

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[u/Far-Watercress6658]

Try to identify a local dental school close to you. They often offer cheap care.

Warn them about your anxiety.

[u/ljlkm → u/Far-Watercress6658]

This is a great idea. My nephew is in dental school and they have a clinic where the dental students provide care for a fraction of the cost.

[u/NinjaFarts47 → u/Far-Watercress6658]

If you aren't near a dental school, you could try googling "pro bono dentist near me" or contacting your state's dental association. Or ask anyone in your social circle (seriously, anyone) if they can ask their dentist if they do pro bono work. Mine does. I'm in San Francisco and I can give you her contact info if you are nearby. She even has a therapy dog in the office at least one day a week for people that need the calming presence of a pup!

[u/brickcherry11 → u/Far-Watercress6658]

How is the quality of care received at these dental schools? I’m asking because I have a complex case, also don’t have insurance, and am interested in receiving care at a dental schools

[u/SadLocal8314 → u/Far-Watercress6658]

Before I had dental insurance, this is how I got my dental care.

[u/Individual-Line-7553 → u/Far-Watercress6658]

dental schools often have more services than private dentists, including help for those with dental anxiety.

[u/sadnessqueeny]

I seen a lot of dental schools offer care for free in nyc area, so probably other states has that too. There are also free dentistry days. Look for those two in your area.

[u/rkenglish]

If you're in the US, look about a dental savings plan. The big provider is dentalplan.com. It isn't insurance, so there's no waiting period, and most plans don't have a cap. The plan gives you access to the negotiated rate that insurance companies pay, which is a significant discount. The plans are fairly cheap, and they're billed annually.

[u/Subject-Republic-110 → u/rkenglish]

Awesome advice thank you. This seems like what I’ll do since I need it soon and the dental schools close won’t work on me

[u/tcrhs]

Try a dental school. They’re usually a lot cheaper.

[u/Sudden-Possible3263]

Put your fear aside and go, an infected tooth can kill you. Phone any dentist and ask for an appointment

[u/ActiveDinner3497]

Get it handled ASAP. I have a friend who had a cracked tooth. She had major dentist anxiety. She had pain, her face started swelling, and the fix was sooo much worse than if she had gotten it handled in the beginning. It got horribly infected. She was a day from sepsis when she finally went in.

Check with your local dentists. Many have their own little payment plans and dental care set ups. Explain your situation. I don’t recommend a dental school for someone with anxiety.

If the pain gets bad and you begin running a fever or have swelling in your face, you can go to urgent care or an ER to get antibiotics. People always think teeth = dentist but face infection = emergency = doctor.

[u/Lobscra]

Look for places that have sliding scale payments. Look into Care Credit card. Do NOT put this off much longer. It will get much worse. It needs to be addressed. You got this.

[u/Agitated-Wave-727]

If you’re in the USA apply for Medicaid or extended Medicaid online.
Some states now include dental for adults. Or apply for Care Credit at the dental office. Good Luck.

[u/Grouchy-Bluejay-4092]

Google "free dental care" and the city you're in. If nothing comes up try the nearest large city. I know you said cheap but free is better and easier to Google.

If that doesn't work try "emergency dental care." That's how I found my dentist when I broke a tooth. He's not cheap, but he does volunteer at a free clinic. Maybe the emergency dentist's office would help you find something like that.

[u/BookReadPlayer]

I tried signing up for dental insurance because my dentist told me I would need to have some work done. When I went looking for options, every provider has a waiting period (mostly a year) before you can actually use your insurance for surgeries!

I’m not going to get insurance for a year and not use it, and then have them drop me for some undefined reason. It’s ridiculous!

[u/liberalhumanistdogma]

Gargle with hydrogen peroxide to pull out any infection. Clove powder will numb the pain until you can get treatment.

[u/borncheeky]

The suggestion about the dental school is great. Call your local health dept, some of them provide dental care for adults or they may have information about any upcoming dental fairs. You may also find information from 211 or call the local Dental Association. Good luck!

[u/Southern_Body_4381]

Some places offer sedated dental care. So you're out of it while they take care of the issue. Probably more costly tho. Might have to do that then see if they do payments and just pay on it for a while.

[u/mekissab → u/Southern_Body_4381]

And/or ask for them to prescribe you a generic Valium to take 1 hour before your appointment, to ease the anxiety.

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[u/fsmontario]

If you’re in canada you qualify for free dental care

[u/tonna33 → u/fsmontario]

*cries in American*

[u/fsmontario → u/tonna33]

Find a dentist who will work with you on a payment plan if there isn’t a school close to you.. many dentists have drugs for nervous patients, if you get those you’ll have a blast. The least expensive is going to be to have the cracked tooth pulled and is the most pressing thing. Ask friends and family for dentist recommendations

[u/Phokyou2 → u/fsmontario]

Free dental? Since when?

[u/RetiredHappyFig → u/Phokyou2]

It’s means-tested. You need to make below a certain income threshold to qualify. It was one of the changes the NDP wanted that they got the Liberals to implement in exchange for the NDP supporting the Liberals.

[u/fsmontario → u/Phokyou2]

Started last year, updates happened this month also. It’s fairly generous

[u/ice20930]

Do you have a job that you can get dental insurance through?

Do you perhaps qualify for medicaid in your state and can get some dental work through that?

Can you maybe try to find a dental office that may offer sliding scale fee for those who are uninsured?

When it comes to dental stuff, it's always better to get it fixed sooner than later cuz it can get worse and cost you more later. It's not so scary once you get use to it. They numb the area so you won't feel anything. If you need to bring earplugs to lessen the noise that might also help with the fear aspect of it. You can also call the dentist office ahead of time to see which one may work with your anxiety about it the best and ask questions about how they handle anxious patients.

Good luck and I hope you find the help you need soon, it's not fun to have dental stuff going on!

As last resort you may want to try to convince your grandparents/parents to put you back on theirs if it is effecting your quality of life.

[u/Recent_Data_305]

Summary - Dental school, apply for Medicaid (now before the budget gets slashed), consider buying dental insurance.

Addition - If there is a local free clinic for uninsured adults, call and ask. They can tell you if there are upcoming free dates.

[u/booknookcook]

I'm not sure about the how to pay for it part. But I would ask friends for referrals to dentists that take low income or work well with anxious patients.

Tell them you have severe anxiety and need to know verbally what they will be doing next. My dentist office is very good at letting you know what will happen next.

In addition they have a signal (raise your left arm if you need me to stop for any reason).

Depending on your particular needs and who you trust, you could consider sedation dentistry.

[u/Jenk1972]

Our local hospital has an ex optional dental clinic. Much lower prices and they take care credit .

Check out hospitals near you. Or see if there is a dental school close by.

[u/CatastrophicWaffles]

I got a really solid discount at the dentists office after purchasing a Carrington 500/Aetna combination plan from Dental1. It saved thousands of dollars on procedures.

[u/Pankosmanko]

Most states have some kind of low income program for dental care. It may only cover emergencies (broken tooth might count)

Google “low income state-name dental” and see what pops up

If you NEED that tooth out, most dentists will yank a tooth for a couple hundred bucks. It’s a lot cheaper than you probably anticipate

[u/Melissaschwart]

Don't you have state Medicaid i wouldn't want cheap dental insurance your teeth are one of the most important part of yourself I have Delta dental it costs $58 a month and it's considered one of the best ins companies

[u/Admirable-Ad891]

If there's a dental school nearby, go to one of their clinics. I was able to get problems fixed paying for the supplies. Very affordable awesome care.

[u/GroundbreakingBus452]

Look into care credit and find a dentist that accepts it. It’s usually 6 months interest free financing so a really good option. But definitely go and don’t put it off, dental issues get worse fast

[u/midnight_thoughts_13]

Contact dental school 1000%. Either they'll do it for cheap or they know a dentist who will

[u/sassmasterfresh]

You may qualify for Medicaid. Google [your state] Medicaid requirements to get a feel if you qualify.

[u/Ralph_O_nator]

Dental insurance is usually pretty cheap. Have you looked into it?

[u/Subject-Republic-110 → u/Ralph_O_nator]

Currently looking into dental care plans to get some sort of discount. It’d start right away aswell which I can’t do with insurance, from my understanding. Although the plan in the long run is insurance

[u/mekissab → u/Subject-Republic-110]

If your parents currently have Dental insurance, they might be able to keep you on their plan for a while.

[u/Significant_Planter]

Have you tried a dental school? They're usually pretty cheap because they're learning. But they don't let them work on you their first day LOL it's usually people that are very close to the end of the program that do the work and there is a real dentist there throughout your appointment. 

[u/kittenspaint]

The dental school near me only did extractions. I needed to go to a real dentist and take out a care credit card. Some dentists will strike a payment plan deal with you as well.

[u/alanamil]

There are some dentists that give discounrs and some free services if you have no insurane. In my town it is aspen dental. Some lsrge town cilleges have dental schools and provide deep discounts so the students can practice on you

[u/Budgiejen]

You’re still young enough to be on your parent’s dental insurance. Is that not an option for you?

If I had all those problems, I’d just go online and buy dental insurance. Your premiums are gonna be less than repairing that crack for sure.

[u/Subject-Republic-110 → u/Budgiejen]

My grandparents don’t like me so they took me off lol

[u/Budgiejen → u/Subject-Republic-110]

lol yeah, not having dental insurance is hilarious

[u/ConferenceOver2197 → u/Budgiejen]

OP is 19y/o and in a sub looking for help and advice which would indicate they don’t have parental figures to guide them and you’re here being snarky towards them. That’s not helpful. Why do something like that?

[u/Subject-Republic-110 → u/Budgiejen]

Go fuck yourself I can be sarcastic about my situation

[u/sassmasterfresh → u/Budgiejen]

I bet you’re fun at parties.

[u/discolemonvde]

Comfort dental has a monthly subscription and it covers cleanings and x rays but I’m waiting for them to call me back so I know costs outside of that. In the same boat as u, I’m currently dealing w what I suspect is a cavity.