New York University
College of Dentistry
345 East 24th Street
New York, NY  10010-4099
212-998-9800

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 Some dental schools are a valuable source of dental care for their communities.

Dental schools  can be a good source of quality, reduced-cost dental treatment.

Finding Low-Cost Dental Care

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research(NIDCR), one of the federal government's National Institutes of Health, leads the nation in conducting and supporting research to improve oral health. As a research organization, NIDCR does not provide financial assistance for dental treatment. The following resources, however, may help you find the dental care you need.

Clinical Trials

NIDCR sometimes seeks volunteers with specific dental, oral, and craniofacial conditions to participate in research studies, also known as clinical trials. Researchers may provide study participants with limited free or low-cost dental treatment for the particular condition they are studying. To find out if there are any NIDCR clinical trials that you might fit into, go to "NIDCR Studies Seeking Patients." For a complete list of all federally funded clinical trials, visit ClinicalTrials.gov. To see if you qualify for any clinical trials being conducted at our Bethesda, Maryland, campus, you can call the Clinical Center's Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office at 1-800-411-1222.

Dental Schools

Dental schools  can be a good source of quality, reduced-cost dental treatment. Most of these teaching facilities have clinics that allow dental students to gain experience treating patients while providing care at a reduced cost. Experienced, licensed dentists closely supervise the students. Post-graduate and faculty clinics are also available at most schools.

Dental hygiene schools  may also offer supervised, low-cost preventive dental care as part of the training experience for dental hygienists.

Bureau of Primary Health Care

The Bureau of Primary Health Care, a service of the Health Resources and Services Administration  (1-888-Ask-HRSA), supports federally-funded community health centers across the country that provide free or reduced-cost health services, including dental care. 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services  (CMS) administers three important federally-funded programs: Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

• Medicare  is a health insurance program for people who are 65 years and older or for people with specific disabilities. Medicare dental coverage is limited; it does not cover most routine dental care or dentures.
• Medicaid  is a state-run program that provides medical benefits, and in some cases dental benefits, to eligible individuals and families. States set their own guidelines regarding who is eligible and what services are covered. Most states provide limited emergency dental services for people age 21 or over, while some offer comprehensive services. For most individuals under the age of 21, dental services are provided under Medicaid. 
• CHIP  helps children up to age 19 who are without health insurance. CHIP provides medical coverage and, in most cases, dental services to children who qualify. Dental services covered under this program vary from state to state.

Check-Out CHIP Dental Care Entitlements for Kids

Dental services for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) shall include coverage necessary to prevent disease and promote oral health, restore oral structures to health and function, and treat emergency conditions for all children up to age 19 who are eligible for CHIP in a particular State.    

States choosing to create a separate child health program may offer one of four benefit options:  States may elect to provide benchmark dental coverage; benchmark dental benefit equivalent coverage; existing coverage that is substantially equal to coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan dental coverage, the State employee dependant dental coverage, coverage offered through a commercial dental plan that has the largest insured commercial, non-Medicaid enrollment of dependent covered lives of such plans that is offered in the State involved.  Benchmark equivalent dental coverage is coverage that, in the determination of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, provides appropriate dental coverage for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) children.  

Patient out-of-pocket costs for this program are allowed but limited.  If a State expands its Medicaid program, then existing Medicaid cost-sharing limits apply.  For all CHIP enrollees, cost sharing cannot be charged for well-child and well-baby visits.  This includes routine preventive and diagnostic dental services (such as oral examinations, prophylaxis and topical fluoride applications, sealant and x-rays) as described in the most recent guidelines issued by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.  In addition, States cannot impose cost-sharing charges that, in the aggregate, exceed five percent of a family's total income for the length of child's eligibility period in the State.

States may also use Title XXI funds for oral health services initiatives.  For example, California has opted to increase dental service utilization among low-income, uninsured children ages birth to five years by creating a health service initiative.  California's oral health service initiative includes case management, oral health education, innovative preventive services and mobile vans that will provide dental services.

States with a separate CHIP program also have the option to provide dental-only supplemental coverage for eligible children. 

CMS  (1-800-MEDICARE) can provide detailed information about each of these programs and refer you to state programs where applicable.

State and Local Resources 

Your state or local health department may know of programs in your area that offer free or reduced-cost dental care. Call your local or state health department to learn more about their financial assistance programs. Check your local telephone book for the number to call.

United Way

The United Way  may be able to direct you to free or reduced-cost dental services in your community. Local United Way chapters can be located on the United Way website.  

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This publication is not copyrighted. Make as many copies as you need. 
NIH Publication No. 10-6097

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