Since dental care is such an important issue, I bring to you “STATE OF DECAY, PART 2” where we will discuss affordable or no cost dental care services and payment options. Remember, in STATE OF DECAY, PART 1, I made you aware of the two most common oral health problems amongst older adults—TOOTH DECAY (cavities) and GUM DISEASE! Many older adults (among others) do not have dental insurance for various reasons. Medicare covers many services, but routine oral health/dental care is not one of them.

More specifically, the “Original” Medicare (Part A and B) does not cover routine oral health/dental care, such as teeth cleaning, fillings, dentures, root canals, etc. Yet, will cover some dental services in conjunction to a medically necessary hospital procedure under Medicare Part A and Part B plans. For example, Medicare may cover a dental procedure required for a person with oral cancer prior to radiation treatment. However, Medicare “Advantage” Plans may offer extra coverage, like vision, hearing, dental, and/or health and wellness programs. Unfortunately, more older adults cannot afford Medicare’s supplemental dental insurance coverage, so here are a few tips of affordable and no cost dental care services that will help you care for your teeth and oral health…

Where to Get Affordable or No Cost Help for Oral Health/Dental Care Treatment

Stand-Alone Dental Plans
Some states offer stand-alone dental plans through the health insurance Marketplaces. People with Medicare are not eligible for subsidies to pay for these plans. Find your state Marketplace at www.healthcare.gov or call the Marketplace call center (available 24/7) at 1-800-318-2596.

Community Health Centers (CHCs)
Community Health Centers (CHCs) supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration provide health services, including dental care, to those with limited incomes, usually on a sliding scale payment. Find a CHC near you at http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov

Dental Schools
Local dental schools sometimes provide the community with lower cost services as a way of training new dentists and dental hygienists. Search for a nearby school at the American Dental Association
(www.ada.org/267.aspx) or the American Dental Hygienists Association (www.adha.org/dental-hygiene-programs).

Dental Lifeline Network
The Dental Lifeline Network runs a program offering free, comprehensive dental treatment to vulnerable people, including the elderly and those living with disabilities. Learn more at: http://dentallifeline.org/

Tooth Wisdom
ToothWisdom.org features resources specifically tailored to helping older adults maintain good oral health. Learn about your oral health, find affordable dental care near you, and important news updates at: www.toothwisdom.org

How To Pay for Your Teeth
We all know that caring for your teeth can be expensive, so here is a dental financing option that you may qualify for to help pay for your dental treatment:

Dental Financing- “CARE CREDIT”

“Care Credit” is a healthcare card that helps you pay for healthcare costs to include dentistry, visionary, and veterinary costs. It allows you to finance your healthcare costs and make affordable monthly payments towards the balance.

www.carecredit.com

Let’s keep our natural teeth as long as possible- NO MORE LOOSE ENDS!!

Stay tuned for STATE OF DECAY, Part 3…