Hi, are you on the Oregon Health Plan? Our in-laws are in Clackamas Cty and get low cost dental service through the Oregon Health Plan. If you google "Multnomah County Dental Plan" there is a county website that describes what they offer through the Health Dept.'s Dental Clinics. It looks like if you have no dental insurance and are low-income, you can get care for urgent dental symptoms for a $25 fee. They will also help you find dental coverage for future issues. Good luck!
Another place to check is your county's dental association (the dentists' professional group). Some of these associations hold free dental clinics, or otherwise provide limited, low-cost dental care for low-income seniors. Also, if there is a school of dentistry – where new dentists are trained -- at a college or university near where you live, they may offer free or low-cost dental care at their clinic.
Finally, check with local senior centers near where you live. They may have dentists who visit and provide free dental care, or they may provide a referral to dentists who offer low-cost care. from:
Medicare doesn't cover most dental care, dental procedures, or supplies, like cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, dentures, dental plates, or other dental devices.
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) will pay for certain dental services that you get when you're in a hospital. Part A can pay for inpatient hospital care if you need to have emergency or complicated dental procedures, even though the dental care isn't covered. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/dental-services.html
1. Contact your county offices about resources for seniors and ask about dental plans. Our county has a prescription drug assistance plan, but I don't recall if dental assistance is offered.
A social worker might also be able to offer some assistance in terms of where you could find help.
2. Contact the local Area Agency on Aging and ask if they have any knowledge of dentists providing lower cost or discount services to seniors; you could also research to see if there are any dental associations in your area and contact them as well. A professional dentist association would be what you're seeking.
3. Contact local community colleges or universities with dental programs and pose the same questions.
In our area, a community college does have a discount dental program, but it's limited to cleaning and generally lower cost procedures. Dentures and implants wouldn't be covered, and this may be the problem since they're much costlier than cleanings or fillings.
Also, if there is a school of dentistry – where new dentists are trained -- at a college or university near where you live, they may offer free or low-cost dental care at their clinic.
Finally, check with local senior centers near where you live. They may have dentists who visit and provide free dental care, or they may provide a referral to dentists who offer low-cost care.
from:
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) will pay for certain dental services that you get when you're in a hospital. Part A can pay for inpatient hospital care if you need to have emergency or complicated dental procedures, even though the dental care isn't covered.
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/dental-services.html
A social worker might also be able to offer some assistance in terms of where you could find help.
2. Contact the local Area Agency on Aging and ask if they have any knowledge of dentists providing lower cost or discount services to seniors; you could also research to see if there are any dental associations in your area and contact them as well. A professional dentist association would be what you're seeking.
3. Contact local community colleges or universities with dental programs and pose the same questions.
In our area, a community college does have a discount dental program, but it's limited to cleaning and generally lower cost procedures. Dentures and implants wouldn't be covered, and this may be the problem since they're much costlier than cleanings or fillings.