5 Ways to Save on Your Oral Care Without Dental Insurance
‘What options are available for me if I don't have any dental insurance?’ we hear people ask that question quite often. Nobody likes to leave thousands for a single tooth, but what opportunities are there when you do not have any insurance? If you are reading this, chances are you may have already realised that there is no insurance that covers having a dental treatment abroad (excluding emergency).
However, there are some available choices you can consider - and might even save money on your dental care with them. In the series of articles we cover five possible ways to get our teeth fixed without the need of dental insurance! The second article is going to be about free dental care and other helpful tips.
Save on Your Dental Care – Tip 1 – Dental Schools
Despite the long waiting lists due to high traffic, you can save money if you are considering your teeth having fixed in of the dental schools nearby. You can find the 16 UK Dental Schools list below and on bda.org (British Dental Association) too. If you are looking for US dental education programs you can find the relevant information on ada.org (American Dental Association)
Save on Your Dental Care – Tip 2 – Dental Tourism
Many patients are not able to pay for quality dental treatment and most simply do not have any insurance covering their dental needs. It is quite known though that you can save up to 70% on your dental care with dental tourism. No waiting lists are applicable as practices are capable of (built to) accepting many foreign patients at a time. In order to access directly many clinics at once, send your dental request via the Dental Comparison System and compare several quotes from numerous dental practices. You can find other dental tourism service provider (indirect access to few clinics though) at imtj.com, pick a clinic for your health needs on whatclinic.com or find dental practices at other places too on dentaldepartures.com – just to mention few of the possibilities.
However, 'think twice, act once' is absolutely true for this area: do a proper investigation or research on your potential choice before you travel.
Save on Your Dental Care – Tip 3 – Low Income Schemes
UK - NHS Low Income Scheme
The Scheme provides income related help to people who are not exempt from charges but who may be entitled to full or partial help if they have a low income. Anyone can apply as long as they don't have savings or investments over the capital limit. (In England, the capital limit is £16,000 - or £23,250 if you live permanently in a care home).
The financial support is based on a comparison between your weekly income and assessed requirements at the time the claim is made. Entitlement broadly follows Income Support rules to decide how much, if anything, you have to pay towards your healthcare costs, including dental treatment costs. The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) site has more information about the NHS Low Income Scheme, including how to apply.
US – Medicare&Medicaid and Other Dental Programs
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.
CMS can provide detailed information via their site (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/) or phone (1-800-MEDICARE) about each of these programs and refer you to state programs where applicable.
Individuals who do not qualify for Medicaid benefits may still find dental assistance available through State Dental Health Programs and Community Dental Programs. Although these sources frequently work in conjunction with State Medicaid programs, in some States they facilitate dental assistance to low-income individuals and families who do not qualify for Medicaid. For information about dental assistance through these sources, please follow the links above to the relevant State or community resource.
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.
Dental Schools in the UK
Belfast |
Birmingham |
Bristol |
Cardiff Wales College of Medicine, Dental School, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XY www.cardiff.ac.uk/dentistry 02920 742469 |
Dundee |
Glasgow |
Leeds |
Liverpool |
London –King’s College |
London – Barts and the London |
London – Eastman (postgraduate only) |
Manchester |
Newcastle |
Plymouth (graduate entry only) |
Preston (graduate entry only) |
Sheffield |
Related Articles
> Free Dental Care - 5 Ways to Save on Your Dental Care Without Dental Insurance - Part 2