Is anyone aware of any dental charities in the U.S.?

[w8liftinglady]

we had this discussion at lunch..re:charities we would start if we won the lottery.I have never heard of a charity that helps people get dental care...

[Critters2]

1. I used to work for Champaign County Health Care Consumers

in Champaign, IL. One of our programs was to help poor consumers find dentists who would see them at a discounted fee. It was REALLY difficult to find dentists who would participate, or even who would accept Medicaid payment. I don't know of any national orgs who work on this issue.

So, if you won the lottery, this would be a great thing to do!

[valerief]

2. That's something I could really sink my teeth into. nt

[YOY]

3. Ask PCIntern

He/She is a dentist in the Philly area and might know.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2974336

[Annces]

4. There is a reimbursement program for persons who have HIV to get dental care

under Ryan-White program.

http://newsroom.hrsa.gov/releases/2006/dental-reimbursement-grants.htm

[murielm99]

5. It seems to exist on

an individual and isolated basis.

We had a dentist one town over, now retired, who used to go to Africa every year. There was a place there where he provided free dental care to the population. This is how he used his vacation time. And he was only aware of the need because he had once been in the Peace Corps in that part of Africa.

Another person I know had a sister who went to dental school in a large city. I believe it was Milwaukee. Her dental school provided free care, but it was student dentists who provided the care.

As far as dentists who take medicaid payments and such, you have to ask your county health department. They can refer you to the dentists who do that. They are usually few and far between, because of the paperwork hassle and the delay in getting payments.

[mtnester]

6. How about the Doctors without Boundaries?

I think that group also includes dentists..

[mondo joe]

8. I think you mean Without Borders. Doctors should always have good boundaries.

:-)

[mtnester]

38. Yes yes...

borders...sheesh...red faced me

We need a better emoticon for a shit eating type grin!

[Glenda]

39. LOL!!

:rofl:

[mondo joe]

7. There are community health centers that provide dental care on a sliding fee scale.

There are some foundations that fund dental programs as well, though in my experience they tend to fund special programs or capital expenses.

[dogday]

9. Any teaching Dental School

will take you and give you a very reduced rate.. Students have to learn somehow.....

[Warpy]

10. If your're lucky enough to live in a college town with a dental school

you can get the work done for a very reasonable cost. You'll just have to be aware that a student is working on you. They don't get to touch people until they've had a lot of practice on the alternatives, so you can be pretty confident of the work and they are being closely supervised at all times.

Here in NM, a lot of people make the trip down to Juarez for reasonably priced dental work.

[oldlady]

11. yep. cheaper to fly to mexico for dental work

i know someone who is doing just that this week.

[undeterred]

12. Yup, Dental school is about it.

When I was unemployed for a long period I researched this and the only thing I found was one hospital which would allow payment arrangements, but they really didn't do any specialty care, just extractions. When I talked to a dentist they suggested Dental School, as other people here have.

The thing is, there are only about 40 dental schools in the country (NY and Cal each have 5), and that leaves many states without a single dental school.

They charge about half as much and you can expect to wait a long time for an appointment, and for the appointment to take a long time.

[jody]

13. You might want to browse State and Regional Free Clinic Associations.

State and Regional Free Clinic Associations

ON EDIT ADD

Volunteers in Health Care

[donco6]

14. Dentaid is the biggest I know of, but it's UK.

Good group.

[rox63]

15. In the Boston area

Tufts University School of Dentistry will give a very reduced rate.

[benddem]

16. There are granting organizations

that you can apply to for dental work...if you've used all your resources. There are several in Oregon. I'm sure in other places too. But that is a nice charitable idea. I hope you win the lottery.

[depakid]

17. NW Medical Teams "Mobile Dental"

http://www.nwmedicalteams.org/site/PageServer?pagename=what_mobile_hist

http://nwti.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=what_mobile

[Ian David]

18. Operation Smile

Our Mission


Throughout the world, Operation Smile volunteers repair childhood facial deformities while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable healthcare systems for children and families. Together, we create smiles, change lives, heal humanity.

Want to Know More?


Roma Downey invites you to be the miracle in a child's life



As an Operation Smile spokesperson and board member, I'm continually moved by how this amazing work changes children's lives.

More:
http://www.operationsmile.org/

Current Mission


Thailand: Mae Sot
December 8 to December 18, 2006

More:
http://www.operationsmile.org/missions/reports/?country=TH

An Operation Smile medical mission team was in Mae Sot, Thailand, for an internationally supported local medical mission from December 8-18, to assist children born with facial deformities... >>

[frogbison]

19. Along the same lines...

and also a great organization, is The Smile Train. http://www.smiletrain.org/

From their website:
* 100% of all donations go towards programs.
* We’re the world’s largest and most cost-effective cleft charity.
* Smile Train meets all Better Business Bureau standards.

Since March 2000 we have provided free cleft surgery for 199,479 children.

[bobbolink]

20. simple fillings and cleanings.... well, do without...

It's just sad.

[w8liftinglady]

22. I caught hell from one dentist re:my kid's cavities when I was in nursing school.

I asked her if she did pro bono work...or had reduced rates..of course not.my income was 400/month at the time,and no insurance.Even now,with insurance,it covers 60%.
I told her to do the worst ones.I had exactly $400.That's exactly what she did.

[bobbolink]

23. Such magnanimous compassion... :(

That's pretty much what I found from Dentists.

When I mentioned to one that dentists could choose to get the state to participate in Medicaid for dental work, he pooh-poohed it.

So.... they get a charge from lecturing people, I guess.

Fie on 'em.............

[mondo joe]

27. No one needs to DO WITHOUT in many areas - community health centers

often provide dental care.

[bobbolink]

21. You're on to something, and I hope you can get something going!

I can tell you that the little local charities are pretty sad.

Mostly, you can get maybe one thing a year, so if you choose to get your teeth cleaned, and a cavity is found, you're SOL.

You've discovered a hole that badly needs to be plugged.

Of course, it should also be covered by Universal Health Care! :hi:

[Cleita]

24. You can get cheap or often free dental care from dental

schools in major universities if you qualify, and if you don't mind students working on you. They are supervised by an experienced dentist/professor.

[bobbolink]

26. better than nothing, but not helpful for those who are afraid of dentists!

When, oh when, will we, as a nation, get it together to have complete Universal Health Care?

sigh....

[Dave243]

25. Smiletrain is worth a look

The folks at Smiletrain are for real. My nephew used to organize fundraisers for them. I just looked at their website and it had a comment from Bush I on there. Don't hold it against them.

[bobbolink]

28. Welcome to DU, Dave243!

Smiletrain may be just fine, but I think the OP is on to something--if we can't get dental care for everyone, then it's time for a charity that addresses this problem.

Why should people in the richest country be losing their teeth for lack of care??!!

[w8liftinglady]

29. a list of some dental charities..unfortunately in Texas,only for elderly and handicapped.

http://www.toothwoman.net/er/splash.htm

[bobbolink]

30. That's pretty much it. And, as I mentioned, usually that's one thing a year

If you choose a necessary cleaning, that means a whole other year before you can get a filling, etc.

Some care, eh?

:(

[BlueStorm]

31. The government should start a "Dentacare, Dentacaid." program. n/t

[bobbolink]

32. It's already "started". States have the option to participate.

Dentists don't push for it.

:(

[BlueStorm]

33. Yes, Medicaid takes dental care...

but very few dentists will participate. The very few dental centers here don't provide quality care as would a regular dentist.

My mom says that the pricing that dentists have are outrageous and that they are just another greedy group.

Blue

[bobbolink]

35. Then yours is a state that decided to use Medicaid for dental.

A lot don't.

:(

As far as no dentists participating, that's happening with medical, too.

We're soon gonna be SOL.

Except children, of course.

Us old geezers don't have the charm of kids. :(

[w8liftinglady]

37. I'm thinking of people who don't "qualify" for medicaid

your run of the mill store clerks,delivery guys,etc.In my 25 years as a critical care nurse,I have seen SO many people who would have benefited from some kind of dental program.Honestly,I can't tell you how many tooth aspirations I have seen.I specialize in lung diseases,and we have had to retrieve many a tooth from a poor guy's windpipe.

[bobbolink]

40. tooth aspirations?

That's really awful!

One more way that preventive care is ever so much better. Too bad we aren't a nation who is willing to see that!

I really appreciate your efforts on this, and your sensitivity, and hope that you are able to get something going. It's badly needed!

At the same time, please realize that a lot of us on Medicaid can't get dental care, either. We *ALL* need and deserve *ALL* health care!

Please keep us informed of what you are able to find, and, maybe, start!

:applause:

[w8liftinglady]

42. please don't misunderstand what I was saying.I agree-everyone should be able to get basic

..and preventative...dental care.Not cosmetic,but fillings and cleaning.There should be a mechanism in place.

[w8liftinglady]

34. thanks to everyone who replied.

It's pretty apparent that unless you are destitute,your chances of getting dental care are pretty slim if you are a minimum wage worker.

[bobbolink]

41. destitution doesn't matter.

People who are "destitute" STILL can't get dental care.

[AZBlue]

36. Contact your local office of the ADA - they know of low-cost clinics and programs

as well as any charitable organizations in your area.

[bobbolink]

43. In my area, at least, falls waaay below "adequate"!!

As I wrote above, the program at least locally (obviously I can't speak for other areas) has a year waiting list, and then you can only have ONE thing a year.

In other words, if you need a filling, that's all you can get for another year. No cleaning, no other work at all. Lord love ya if you badly need TWO fillings!

There is just no good dental care for those lacking $$$!!

w8liftinglady is on to something really important with this!