Oral Health Care Costs, Medical Conditions & Where to Find Help
Dental pain doesn’t wait for payday — and neither should care.
For millions of Americans, even basic dental treatment means choosing between relieving pain or paying rent. When care is delayed, dental problems can escalate into medical emergencies, affecting nutrition, infection risk, chronic disease management, and overall quality of life.
The Dental Advocate’s Corner™ is the educational and resource hub of the National Dental Advocacy Program®. This page exists to help patients, caregivers, and families understand:
Why dental care is often unaffordable
What legitimate assistance programs exist
How medical conditions can change coverage options
When and how NDAP can step in to help advocate and coordinate care
When things become complicated — denials, eligibility confusion, medically necessary dental care — that’s when the National Dental Advocacy Program® (NDAP) can help.
Why Dental Care Is Often Unaffordable
More than 72 million Americans lack dental insurance. Even for those who do have coverage, many plans exclude or severely limit:
Root canals
Dentures and partials
Oral surgery
Implants
Medically necessary dental care tied to health conditions
Seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, low-income families, and medically complex patients are disproportionately affected. While nonprofit dental programs exist, they often involve:
Long waitlists
Strict eligibility criteria
Limited services
Complex application requirements
Help exists — but accessing it often requires persistence, documentation, and coordination.
How Charities and Assistance Programs Help With Dental Costs
When insurance and affordability fall short, nonprofit organizations and assistance programs may offer:
Free or low-cost exams and X-rays
Fillings and extractions
Dentures and partials
Mobile or pop-up dental clinics
Pro bono care through volunteer dentists
Partial grants to reduce treatment costs
These programs commonly serve:
Low-income or unhoused individuals
Seniors on fixed incomes
Veterans
Children in underserved communities
People with disabilities or chronic medical conditions
The challenge isn’t knowing help exists — it’s knowing which program fits your situation and how to apply successfully.
National Charities That Help With Dental Costs
America’s Dentists Care Foundation (ADCF)
What they do: Supports/hosts large-scale free dental clinics (often Mission of Mercy–style events).
Website: https://adcf.net/
Contact: (316) 260-5056
Best for: Patients needing event-based care (exams, fillings, extractions) and those willing to attend large clinics.
Mission of Mercy
Because “Mission of Mercy” can refer to multiple programs, here are two common pathways:
1) Dental Mission of Mercy clinics supported by ADCF Find upcoming clinics: https://adcf.net/clinic-schedule/
Contact ADCF (clinic support): (316) 260-5056
2) A Mission of Mercy (medical home – TX-based org)
Website:https://www.amissionofmercy.org/
Phone: 361-883-5500
Dental Lifeline Network
What they do: Connects eligible patients with volunteer dentists for donated care (eligibility-based).
Website: https://dentallifeline.org
General contact (HQ): (303) 534-5360
Best for: Seniors, people with disabilities, medically fragile patients (varies by state program).
United Way – 211
What it does: Connects people to local services (including low-cost dental clinics, transportation, housing, etc.).
Website: https://www.211.org/ (211)
How to access: Dial 211 (available in most areas). (United Way)
Remote Area Medical (RAM)
What they do: Free pop-up clinics providing medical/dental/vision care.
Website: https://www.ramusa.org/
Phone: (865) 579-1530
Best for: Urgent basic dental needs where pop-up access is available.
Give Kids A Smile
What they do: Free dental care events for children through volunteer providers.
Who they help: Children from low-income families.
How to apply: https://www.adafoundation.org/give-kids-a-smile/about-give-kids-a-smile
Phone: 800-621-8099
Smiles for Everyone Foundation
What they do: Programs providing access to care for underserved communities (varies).
Website: https://www.smilesforeveryone.org/
TeamSmile
What they do: Provides dental care to underserved youth through sports partnerships.
How to apply: https://teamsmile.org
Dentistry From The Heart
What they do: Hosts one-day free dental care events nationwide.
How to apply: https://dentistryfromtheheart.org
Phone: (727) 849-2002
National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics
What they do: Clinic locator for free and charitable medical and dental clinics.
How to apply: https://nafcclinics.org/find-clinic/
Phone: (703) 647-7427
Financial Assistance & Dental Grant Programs
Cosmetic Dentistry Grants Program (CDG)
Description: Provides financial assistance for cosmetic dentistry, including implants and smile restorations.
Eligibility: Applicants must demonstrate oral health stability sufficient to support treatment.
How to apply: Apply online through the CDG Program website. https://cosmeticdentistrygrants.org/
Dental Grants Program
Description: Offers upfront grants covering up to 30% of treatment costs for implants, basic, and cosmetic dentistry.
Eligibility: Applicants must demonstrate dental need and adequate oral health.
How to apply: Apply through the Dental Grants Program website. https://www.dentalgrants.org/
Accessia Health – Oral Health Fund
Description: Provides financial assistance for dental and oral health services for individuals with chronic medical conditions.
Eligibility: Diagnosed chronic condition and income eligibility required.
How to apply: Visit Accessia Health’s Oral Health Fund online. https://accessiahealth.org/oralhealthfund2024/
Smiles Change Lives
Description: Provides affordable orthodontic care for children from low-income families.
Eligibility: Children ages 7–18 with moderate to severe orthodontic need and good oral hygiene.
How to apply: https://www.smileschangelives.org
Dental Help for Special Populations
Veterans: VA Dental Benefits (eligibility varies)
Seniors: ElderCare programs through Dental Lifeline Network
Children: Give Kids A Smile and school-based programs
People with Disabilities: Disability-focused dental charities
People with Medical Conditions (including cancer): Hospital charity care, disease-specific foundations, and medically necessary dental pathways
State & Local Dental Care Programs
Community Health Centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) often provide dental care on a sliding fee scale.
Find a center near you: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
Additional Ways to Reduce Dental Costs
Dental schools (reduced-cost supervised care)
Sliding-scale clinics
Dental discount plans (not insurance)
Crowdfunding for urgent dental needs
When to Contact the National Dental Advocacy Program (NDAP)
Resource lists are helpful — but many patients get stuck when:
Eligibility rules conflict or are unclear
Applications are denied or delayed
Dental care is connected to a medical condition (such as cancer)
Insurance labels care as “dental” despite medical necessity
Costs remain unaffordable even after partial assistance
NDAP can help by:
Explaining options in clear, plain language
Identifying when dental care may qualify as medically necessary
Helping organize medical and dental records
Assisting with insurance appeals and coordination
Connecting patients to appropriate community and financial resources
NDAP does not provide clinical treatment or grants. NDAP provides advocacy, navigation, and coordination.
Final Word from The Dental Advocate’s Corner™
Oral health affects how you eat, speak, heal, and live. No one should suffer simply because the system is difficult to navigate.
If you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to start — help exists.
Explore The Dental Advocate’s Corner™ for education and resources. Reach out to the National Dental Advocacy Program® when you need personalized advocacy support.
Call: 707-ASK-NDAP
