What kind of options are available for dental care for low income senior citizen?

Lawrence - is there a dental school near you? Might they have a lower cost clinic available?

Nanhetzel - we cannot answer such a question here. No one has the appropriate or specific information you require. You must ask someone at your health plan.

can I get Denture implants or regular implants?

I live in Venice Cal. I'm 69 and was given dentures that don't stay in when i eat or talk because I can't leave my lower dentures in while I eat. I'm choking on my food. My upper Dentures will only stay in with combinations of fixodent and fixodent powder. My mouth is flat and regular dentures don't stay in. I almost choked to death 3 times.

Is there any inexpensive schools or inexpensive dentists near me. Where can i go to get inexpensive help. I don't have a lot of money because most of it goes for living expenses. I do have a few credit cards. And I have a bad leg and asthma.

I took my 96 yr old aunt to a dentist through Community Health Services. They are considered a rural health care provider. They only accept children and elderly. My aunt is on Medicaid. She had to pay a $3 copay.

I had a similar situation happen to me, I dont have medicare or insurance. My grandson recommended a dental plan from dentalplans. It's like a membership, but the plan i chose covered regular visits which was a plus. I am able to have cleanings and get work done. You should check them out, they may work for you as well. Good luck. - Alfred

I googled senior dental care low income and a lot of things came up, when I was looking for dental care for MIL. I'm in SoCal and I found a place called AltaMed. They're payment is based on your income. They offer medical and dental care. They do not try to "sell you" additional things that you really don't need. We were just interested in if she could eat well, which she does, even with missing teeth. There's never been an issue. Don't get unnecessary dental work done. Only enough to make sure she can eat properly. Whatever area you're in, I'm sure you'll be able to find places for senior, low income.

The nfdh link didn;t quite work but I found this dentallifeline.org/the-need/people-who-are-elderly/

For NanaHetzel, In Califronia, some dental coverage is coming back in May
kaiserhealthnews/stories/2014/february/20/california-dental-insurance-medicaid-low-income-adults.aspx

I have no extra cash. I'm 71 years old and have medicare insurance through Inter Valley health plan and Medi-cal back up full overage. Do I qualify for having a new upper denture or current denture lined.

If you have the cash ( or can save up enough for the work or visit) ask the dentist for a discount for paying cash. If they can lose fees on credit cards, they should give you a discount for paying cash, not that it will amount to much when you consider what they charge. Considering many dentists went to school on govt loans, etc that are paid for by taxpayers, including low income persons who pay sales taxes, I think they could do more as a public service by agreeing to accept medicaid patients or offering free or low cost services to low income elderly. The state waiver program in my state offers x rays, 2 cleanings per year and a pittance for extractions, etc but they have only a couple of dentists in my area and when you go there, they come up with reasons why your elderly patient needs a more expensive cleaning, etc that is not covered. Re dentures, the one on this plan has an F rating with the Better Business Bureau. Medicare should cover dental since it is essential to the health of the elderly. More important than some of the other things those medicare hmos cover, like someone told me they get a gym membership on medicare.

Is there a dental school near you? Check out that option. You usually get last year students working on you with the supervision of the instructor so it is safe and in many cases little or no charge.

I am a dental hygienist and really do know about this. Private dental insurance is expensive, and often doesn't pay out enough in treatment per year to cover what you pay in premiums, so don't get all hung up on having insurance.
Also know that most dental offices offer some type of financing for treatment that may make it easier to pay for care.
Right now you need a solution to an immediate problem and here are my suggestions:
1 - Talk first to your Mom's regular Dentist, ask about alternative treatment options and financing. Depending on the rest of your mother's oral health, one treatment option may be what is called a 'flipper'. It is a temporary removable denture that can replace a few front teeth. Not the best - but will work.
2- Talk to a different DDS if that doesn't work. Most Dentists will do some care at reduced fees for the poor on a case by case situation. Do you go to a different dentist?
3 - Contact you local Social Services agency. Many communities have volunteer clinics to help the poor - Social Services should have contact information for this.
4 - COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT. If your county has one it may only treat children, but it is worth checking out. Social Services should have this information as well.
5- DENTAL SCHOOL - if there is a school in your area, this may be an option. Be prepared for very long appointments and it may take many visits to get all the work completed. Your Mom will get excellent care for low cost. You will need to decide if she is able to tolerate this type of setting.
6 - DONATED DENTAL SERVICES. This is a National program of volunteer dentists who will treat needy patients. It is very limited and the patient must meet specific requirements. For more info: www.nfdh.org/donated-dental-services-dds Click on your State.

Keep Smilin'

With medicaid and medicare, I use Care Improvement Plus. There are no payments. I have not checked to see how wide-spread this plan is. I see that Medicare is required.

Dental schools are a very good option for low-cost dental care. You can also search for your state's dental association and check their website for information about programs they sponsor. Your area agency on aging and/or 2-1-1 (just pick up the phone and dial 211) should also have information on this type of service. 211 works like 411 but you get an actual person for information and referral to local and county services.

our dental school is 30 mi away..i dunno do I drive there or not. that's why i got health plan of san mateo care advantage for my mother.

We explained to my mom in laws dentist that she is 81 yrs old, has dementia...but has had things happen..broken teeth when she fell, caps come off etc. Most are very understanding and will help out if they can. You may check with some dential schhols in the area also...sometimes they do dental work for almost nothing, if you don't mind a student doing it

i would like to know more about indian dental clinics. I have health plan of San Mateo ( No CA) care advantage for my mom; it covers dental, eyeglasses etc and it works with medicare in some way shape or form. I got it specifically for the dental coverage. Look them up and see if they have such a plan for your county. Please let me know and good luck. it is disgusting that there is no dental coverage for our seniors, so pathetic and its typical for retirees (like myself) to sitll get medical insurance but no dental...what, we don't eat after 65 years of age. Come on America!

I have the same problem and so do millions of seniors and disabled. There is NO dental insurance that is any good. This is TOTALLY WRONG, and Medicaid dropped dental a few years ago. We have to pay cash or lose our teeth through Medicaid. I don't know about other states, but there are Indian dental clinics here in California that have great prices, for low income. But a bridge is probably still way too expensive. You just have to pull the teeth. Medicaid will pay for that.