Finding low cost dental care is a common concern for many people right now. More than 100 million Americans go without dental coverage. The average working American, covered by employer health plans, has no dental coverage, or access to very limited coverage. Medicaid and Medicare also offer only a limited safety net. For most people, individual dental coverage is not a feasible option. Many Americans are just one dental emergency away from bankruptcy.
In recognition of these realities, we compiled a list of options for those seeking low cost dental care. Many of the following resources are recommended by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), one of the federal government’s National Institutes of Health.
Your options for obtaining low cost dental care may include:
* Clinical trials
* Dental Schools
* Bureau of Primary Healthcare
* Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
* State and local resources
* United Way
* Comparison Shopping
* Free Dental Clinics
Clinical trials
NIDCR is a research organization, and sometimes seek volunteers who have specific dental, oral, and craniofacial conditions to take part in their research studies (called clinical trials). Study participants may obtain limited, free or low-cost dental treatment for the condition being studied.
To find out more about NIDCR clinical trials that you may be eligible to participate in, visit the Clinical Trials section of the NIDCR web site. ClinicalTrials.gov provides a complete list of all federally funded clinical trials. You may also get this information at your local library. To find out of you qualify for clinical trials being conducted at the NIDCR’s Bethesda, Maryland, campus, you can call the Clinical Center’s Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office at 1-800-411-1222.
Dental Schools
At most dental schools and dental hygiene schools provide quality, reduced-cost dental treatment and preventive care. These clinics allow students gain experience by treating patients and providing care at a reduced cost. Students are closely supervised by experienced and licensed dentists and dental hygienists.
You can find out about schools of dentistry or dental hygiene in your area by calling your state dental society or association, or through the telephone book. American Dental Association has a complete list of US dental schools. American Dental Hygienists’ Association site provides a list of dental hygiene schools. You may also contact the National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse in Bethesda, Maryland on 1-866-232-4528 or (301) 402-7364.
Bureau of Primary Healthcare
The Bureau of Primary Health Care “a service of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)” supports federally-funded community health centers across the Country. Their free or reduced-cost health services also include dental care. For a list of centers in your area, contact the HRSA Information Center toll-free at 1-888-Ask-HRSA (1-888-275-4772) or visit HRSA web site.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administers the federally funded 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. While Medicare does not cover most routine dental care or dentures, you can find out more about dental procedures that are covered at their website.
* Medicaid is a state-run program that provides medical benefits, and in some cases dental benefits, to eligible individuals and families. Most states provide limited emergency dental services for those 21 or over; some states offer comprehensive services. For those under the age of 21, dental services are provided under Medicaid.
* CHIP helps children up to age 19 who are without health insurance, providing medical coverage and, in most cases, dental services to children who qualify. Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) paved way to provide health care to millions of children across the country. CHIP is jointly financed by the Federal and State governments and is administered by the States. Each State determines eligibility groups, benefit packages and payment levels for coverage. Visit InsureKidsNow website for details on oral health coverage.
State and local health resources
Call your local or state health department to find out more about programs that offer free or reduced-cost dental care.
United Way
Your local chapter of United Way may also be able to direct you to free or reduced-cost dental services in your community.
Comparison shopping
Comparison shopping for dental care is a good idea too. If you are comparing fees, American Dental Association recommends that you ask for estimates on full-mouth x-rays and a preventive dental visit that includes an oral exam and tooth cleaning. And if you have talked with your dentist and still are uncertain, they recommend that you get a second opinion.
We hope the above alternatives will help you in seeking low cost dental care that you need.
Watch the video related to dental hygienist
www.youtube.com St. Petersburg College offers a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene (BASDH). This degree is the first and only Baccalaureate Program in Dental Hygiene in the State of Florida and currently one of the largest degree completion programs in the nation. At SPC we put no limits on your educational options. Neither should you. The BASDH degree is a program designed for the licensed dental hygienist and may open doors to new career opportunities such as: Dental Practice Manager, Dental Hygiene Instructor or Dental/Pharmaceutical Sales. A Conveniently Designed Curriculum No campus requirements for course work, orientation or capstone practicum. The BASDH program is a degree completion program, all applicants must have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program before being accepted. A cohort or group of students participating together in a program of study will be accepted each Fall and Spring term. Students will progress through the curriculum as a group. There is no clinical component. Students will not be required to be on our campus. This program is a writing intensive curriculum. Students must have an excellent command of written English language. Dental Hygiene courses will be delivered ONLINE in a modmester (short) term format. Each course will last six to eight weeks. Students can participate any time of the day or night but will be required to participate about four days each week. Students will take one course at a time <b>…</b>
Depending on where you went to school, you can sometimes get advanced placement credit for your dental assisting education.
i found some additional info for you at http://www.bls.gov.
Hope it helps.
Education and training. A high school diploma and college entrance test scores are usually required for admission to a dental hygiene program. High school students interested in becoming a dental hygienist should take courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Also, some dental hygiene programs require applicants to have completed at least 1 year of college. Specific entrance requirements vary from one school to another.
In 2006, there were 286 dental hygiene programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Most dental hygiene programs grant an associate degree, although some also offer a certificate, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree. A minimum of an associate degree or certificate in dental hygiene is generally required for practice in a private dental office. A bachelor’s or master’s degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.
Schools offer laboratory, clinical, and classroom instruction in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, radiography, histology (the study of tissue structure), periodontology (the study of gum diseases), pathology, dental materials, clinical dental hygiene, and social and behavioral sciences
THERE ARE ALWAYS LOCAL DENTISTS ADVERTISING THAT THEY NEED A HYGIENIST TO WORK FOR THEM.
HYGIENE IS ABOUT 33% OF A DENTAL PRACTICE SO THERE IS ALWAYS A NEED FOR CAPABLE PERSONEL.
@ThEgHoSt03130! no its not weird that you want to become a hygienist! I worked with a few male hygienists, when I was an assistant. you can totally do it!
Ok so is it weird that I would want to do this, but I’m a male…
They typically make $50 an hour and see 1 patient per hour.
I have no idea, but im a male in my senior year too in FL and looking into this career, i heard you don't have too… but im not sure.
This reminds me. need to make a dentist appointment lol
Good work if you’re a people person.
Timely information. Thanks.
its better if you are not too to get a hepatitis c shot, its for your safety.
It depends on the dentist you are going to work for.
Well every job has it's downsides, but dental hygiene is a great career. Bls.gov says that the employment growth is projected to be 30%, much faster than average. It is in demand and offers great pay, especially for an associate's degree. And yes they do get good benefits, just like any job, you have to search around and interview to find a job that offers benefits that are valuable to you. Here's a good link to lots of useful info on dental hygienists: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos097.htm
I’ve heard being dental assistant is a good job. Good pay, and you get to help people.
I have experienced this in my hygiene career and sometimes it is a careless dentist (or other staff member) and sometimes it is an honest mistake. A couple of ways I have handled this are –
1. said nothing that would alert the patient and handed them a new pair of gloves prior to them getting into the mouth
2. asked them if I could speak to them for a minute outside the room and let them know
3. just made eye contact with the Dr. and pointed to the gloves on their hands to jog their memory
4. held out the box of gloves at them
(I have attempted to do all of these behind the patients head or at least out of the line of site, because who wants to be shown their wrong in front of the patient or staff)
If you think it is a ongoing problem and you feel that the dentist will get upset or be offended, you might opt to hold onto the mirror and explorer (so they can't do the exam) until you see they have changed their gloves and if they haven't, hand them gloves first and then the instruments.Or maybe leave a new set of gloves on top of the instruments on the tray so they can't get to the instruments without seeing them.
If this is a constant obvious problem and their are copious amounts of other "dirty" offenses you might see if you can make some positive changes in the practice or find a different practice to work in. Honestly, I graduated 15 years ago and alot has changed, so if the Dr. you are working for is older they may just not know about the newer protocols. There is an awful lot of new information to take in all the time, but basic cleanliness is an issue that cannot be compromised since some medically compromised patients could be severly affected….Not only are you able, but you must address the issue for everyone's safety. After all, if dirty gloves are going into a patient's mouth, what else are they touching the bathroom doorknob? (that you are going to end up touching with your bare hands?)
Good luck + hope that helps!
JAMRDH -a dental hygienist
Dental hygienest
I should tell my daughter about this program. She’s looking into careers right now. Thanks!
Accurate information, thanks for sharing.
hi,
check this out,
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos097.htm
http://www.texasdha.org/
http://www.tdhea.org/
http://www.twu.edu/dental-hygiene/
good luck,
Worth looking into methinks