Dental issues have become a common concern for many. According to studies, about 9 out of 10 adults aged 20 or older have experienced at least one cavity in their lifetime, and nearly half the adults in the country have gum disease. That said, implants are an effective but expensive solution to many dental problems. This is why there are a few options available for people who need to get dental implants at no cost.
1. VA dental care
Military veterans can check out Veterans Affairs’ dental care benefits to cover some or all of their teeth implant expenses. This benefit comes with many eligibility criteria. For instance, VA dental care coverage depends on a person’s military service history and their existing health situation and living conditions. Based on these three criteria, VA has created multiple categories. People coming under different categories get different levels of dental care cost coverage.
- For example, the veterans who come under Class I, Class IIC, and Class IV are eligible for any needed dental care (subject to further VA evaluation) free of charge.
- Veterans under Class II qualify for one-time dental care if specific requirements are met.
- Veterans in Class IIA qualify for free dental care if that enables them to have a fully functional and healthy working set of teeth.
- Veterans in Class III get coverage for dental care for conditions that a VA dental care provider will need to check to confirm whether they make their service-connected health condition worse. Similar verification will be necessary for veterans in Class V, Class VI, the inpatient class, and Class IIB.
2. Donated Dental Services (DDS)
People living with disabilities and in need of dental care often search the phrase “no cost dental implants near me” on the internet. One of the many search results the phrase throws up will be Donated Dental Services (DDS).
DDS is a program that covers the total cost of dental care procedures, such as implants, for people who need them but lack the financial means to get them. This scheme is for seniors, people with disabilities, and those with chronic medical conditions. People seeking this benefit need to contact program coordinators, who will, in turn, link volunteer dental health professionals with the patients.
The eligibility criteria for this program evaluate an individual’s financial background to verify whether they can afford routine dental care and access public aid for dental services. When these two requirements are met, applicants can get dental implants without having to pay.
People with disabilities can also opt for Medicare or Medicaid to cover their dental implant expenses.
3. Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
In many cases, older adults needing dental implants and other professional medical services do not have the financial means to get them. To address this problem, PACE exists solely to offer quality and extensive health services to seniors in need. This scheme covers a host of services, including primary care physicians, in-home care, physical therapy, nutritional services, laboratory and X-ray services, dental services, including implants and denture installations, medical transportation, and recreational therapy.
To be eligible for PACE, an individual must meet their eligibility criteria.
- The applicants must be over 55 years of age.
- They must meet nursing home level of care.
- They must be able to live safely in the community with PACE support when they enroll in its services.
Individuals need to contact their local PACE organization to apply for free dental implants via PACE.
4. Local community health centers
Those in low-income groups can actively seek out and get dental implants at no cost through various local programs. The community health centers that offer such programs do not compromise on the thoroughness and quality of healthcare services. Community health centers exist to offer oral care and other healthcare services to underserved people in society.
The eligibility criteria for receiving low-cost or free services through this avenue are pretty straightforward: the verification authorities need to see documents proving that an applicant belongs to a low-income group. Other factors, such as a lack of citizenship, homelessness, and grievous illnesses, also increase the possibility of people getting free dental implants and similar services from local community health centers.
5. Clinical trials at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Scientists and healthcare-related companies constantly conduct clinical trials to find new and improved procedures and treatment options for various health conditions. The NIDCR is one such institute that is frequently looking for volunteers for new implant procedures. People who volunteer for this program will get dental implants at no cost.
