What are the options for someone with serious dental problems that can't afford !
Question:
What are the options for someone with serious dental problems that can't afford care and has been turned down
by the local dental colleges due to extensive work needed. He has been on antibiotics and pain medicine for this but is told they will not be able to continue giving these prescriptions. There must be help out there for this type of situation. Please help if you can.
Answers:
Contact your local or state dental association and and see if there are any dentists who provide free or reduced cost care for low-income, disabled or senior patients.
Call your local health department and ask about health centers that provide dental care for free or on a sliding scale.
Your local United Way may also be aware of such a clinic. In some areas, you can reach them now by dialing 2-1-1 for "non-emergency information."
If you are a senior citizen, call your local Area Agency on Aging or Office on Aging. If you can not find a listing in your local phone book on the "County Government" pages (usually marked with blue borders), call toll-free 1-800-677-1116 to find how to contact the Area Agency on Aging serving you.
Check http://www.toothwoman.net to see if low-cost or free dental services are available near you.
Check http://bphc.hrsa.gov and choose "Find a Health Center" to see if there is a low-cost clinic near you.
Check http://www.nfdh.org/DDS.html to see if your state has a "Donated Dental Services" program. D.D.S. is designed to locate dentists who will give free care to patients who are financially compromised due to medical problems. This is a process that will take a couple of months to get your information and then arrange for someone to see you. Not all states have D.D.S. programs.