A few general routes people use to make dental care more affordable without insurance:
- Community health centers. Many federally funded health centers offer dental care with sliding-scale fees based on income. See our community health centers directory to find one by state.
- Dental schools. Treatment by supervised students is often lower cost, though visits can take longer.
- Medicaid. Adult dental benefits vary a lot by state. Check eligibility and use our Medicaid dentist finder.
- Discount (savings) plans. These are not insurance; they give reduced rates at participating offices. Our dental plan calculator can help you compare a plan with paying directly.
- Ask the office. Many practices offer in-house membership plans, payment plans or self-pay pricing. It never hurts to ask for a written estimate and options.
- Prevention. Keeping up with cleanings and treating small problems early is usually less costly than waiting.
See our dental cost factors page for what drives prices up or down. Seniors may also find the guide to dental coverage for seniors helpful.
General education only, not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Please see a licensed dentist about your own situation. For a medical emergency (trouble breathing or swallowing, heavy bleeding, a major injury or rapidly spreading swelling), call 911 or go to the nearest ER.