Dental care options for senior citizens
Dear Savvy Senior,
Do you have any suggestions on how seniors can get affordable or discounted dental care? I had family dental insurance through my work for many years but lost it when I retired. What can you tell me?
Toothless Tom
Dear Tom,
Taking care of your mouth these days can take a big bite out of your budget. While there?s no one simple solution to affordable dental care there are some different options and resources that can help. Here?s what you should know.
Dental Discounts
Since most Americans lose their dental insurance benefits when they retire, the majority of people over age 65 pay out-of-pocket every time they visit a dentist. Adding to the problem is that Medicare doesn?t cover routine dental care and more than 80 percent of older Americans don?t have private dental insurance. Yet older adults need dental care more than any other age group. So what?s a person with no dental insurance do? Here are some tips to consider:
? Ask for a discount. If you pay for dental care (out-of-pocket) up front, you?re saving your dentist office the cost and hassle of filing an insurance claim, so it?s not unreasonable to ask for a 10 percent discount.
? Join a dental discount plan. Not to be confused with dental insurance, a dental discount plan can be a cost-effective option that can reduce your dental care expenses. How it works is you pay an annual membership fee (around $100 for an individual and $150 for family) in exchange for discounted prices from the plan?s participating dentists. Typical savings range between 20 and 30 percent, though it can be higher depending on the procedure. To find a reputable discount plan, visit dentalplans.com (or call 888-632-5353) where you can search for plans and participating dentists by zip code, as well as get a breakdown of the discounts offered.
Dental Care Resources
If you?re strapped for cash there are various resources that provide dental care to seniors at a reduced rate or for free. Here are some to look into:
? Dental schools: Most dental schools have clinics that allow dental students to gain experience treating patients while at the same time offering care at a reduced cost. Contact the dental school in your area to see what?s available. See the American Dental Education Association Web site (www.adea.org/links) for a list of links to all U.S. dental schools.
? Local services: There are a few states, as well as various local organizations and clinics that offer discounted dental care to seniors with limited income. Services will vary by community. To find out what?s available in your area contact your state dental association, local dental society (see www.ada.org/ada/organizations for contact information), or your Area Agency on Aging. To get your local aging agency number call 800-677-1116.
? Bureau of Primary Health Care: A sector of the Health Resources and Services Administration, they provide federally funded community health centers nationwide ? many of which provide discounted or free dental care to people based on financial need. To find a health center near you visit www.ask.hrsa.gov/pc or call 888-275-4772.
? Donated Dental Services: A nationwide service created by the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped that provides free dental care for elderly and disabled people who can?t afford to pay. To learn more or to apply for care in your state, visit www.nfdh.org/DDS.html or call 303-534-5360. (Note: that most states have long waiting lists and some are not currently accepting applications).
Savvy Tip: Good oral hygiene is the best way to keep your dental costs down. So remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste, floss daily and get routine checkups every six months or at least once a year.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.