2007-01-13 09:19:50 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
A ridiculous question with at least one ridiculous response so far. First of all, Joe C, I would bet that you don't know enough people in the medical nor dental professions to develop an informed opinion about what "they" are like. Secondly, there are no free dentists. Do you go to the supermarket and expect to get free food? Does your car break down and get fixed free of charge? Of course not. Just because you need it, that doesn't mean you're going to get it for free. If you REALLY needed it and you were a law-abiding citizen, I'm sure you'd have Medicaid. That would allow you to get some sort of treatment done. However, if you would like to go to jail to have your dental work done, expect to have it pulled if it hurts, and patched up temporarily if it's got a hole in it. I rotated through a prison dental clinic while I was in dental school. Believe me, you will pay for it on the inside even though you won't have an income. Every inmate I worked on had NO income and had to pay for EVERY filling I did. You'd be surprised how little good people care about the criminals who victimize them. Good luck.
2007-01-13 09:38:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Contact your local or state dental association and and see if there are any dentists who provide free or reduced cost care for low-income, disabled or senior patients.
Call your local health department and ask about health centers that provide dental care for free or on a sliding scale.
Your local United Way may also be aware of such a clinic. In some areas, you can reach them now by dialing 2-1-1 for "non-emergency information."
Go to a dental school, if there is one near you, for reduced costs.
If you are a senior citizen, call your local Area Agency on Aging or Office on Aging. If you can not find a listing in your local phone book on the "County Government" pages (usually marked with blue borders), call toll-free 1-800-677-1116 to find how to contact the Area Agency on Aging serving you.
Check http://www.toothwoman.net to see if low-cost or free dental services are available near you.
Check http://bphc.hrsa.gov and choose "Find a Health Center" to see if there is a low-cost clinic near you.
Check http://www.nfdh.org/DDS.html to see if your state has a "Donated Dental Services" program. D.D.S. is designed to locate dentists who will give free care to patients who are financially compromised due to medical problems. This is a process that will take a couple of months to get your information and then arrange for someone to see you. Not all states have D.D.S. programs.
I personally offer free care or reduced fee care or "overlook the bill" care when I know the exact circumstances of a person's financial position. If they have had a medical hardship, for instance, I am sympathetic. You can't come in just looking for free care, though. You have to come in with the intentions of doing the best you can and then I decide exactly how I am going to handle the financial aspect. I can usually tell who is actually trying to pay and who simply wants to skip out on me. I do not usually consider smokers to be in financial need, though. If they can find a couple thousand dollars a year for cigarettes, they could find the same amount of money and fix almost any dental problem. Maybe you can find a local dentist who has the same attitude.
2007-01-13 19:16:17 · answer #2 · answered by Jess 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are no free dentists. The dentist that responded had a great answer. You could try going to a University that has a dental school in it. They would do your work for cheaper since it is a school.
2007-01-13 18:06:21 · answer #3 · answered by Lippy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I doubt you are going to find a free one but see if you can find one that will accept payments. Dentists have to eat as well.
2007-01-13 17:24:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ha ha thats real funny Adam but you are so right! It is weird to me how anyone on the outside doing good can not get any free help,but if they go to jail and its like instant service...Almost makes one want to break the law Huh?? I don,t know of any around in your area...
2007-01-13 17:28:48 · answer #5 · answered by slickcut 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Unfortunately (in my humble opinion), the medical and dental professions are filled with moneygrubbers instead of honorable people who will help an unfortunate person occasionally.
Now I do see a thumbs down, so I hope that the person giving the thumbs down will respond because I hope I'm wrong.
2007-01-13 17:25:13 · answer #6 · answered by Joe C 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
get a job!!!!!
2007-01-13 20:27:38 · answer #7 · answered by feel/the/need/to/fly 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋