Proper oral care in childhood is vital for overall health, and delaying or skipping it can lead to avoidable long-term issues. The Kids Dental Office of Phoenix helps Arizona families without dental insurance explore alternatives to paying out of pocket.
Contact us at (602) 903-4894 or connect with us online to talk with a child dentist about affordable dental services.
The Importance of Preventive Dental Care
Oral health is one of the key factors of overall health. However, paying for dental care can be difficult when your family has no health insurance coverage. Luckily, The Kids Dental Office of Phoenix can help. Our office specializes in supporting families without dental insurance and exploring alternatives to paying out of pocket.
Preventive dental care is crucial for a child’s overall health and development, regardless of your family’s budget. Untreated issues like overbites, underbites, or crossbites can lead to more than cosmetic concerns, including:
- Enamel wear
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Chronic bad breath
- Sleep apnea
- TMJ pain
- Loose teeth,
- Facial asymmetry
While good home habits like brushing twice a day, flossing, limiting sugary foods, and using mouthwash help reduce risks like cavities and gingivitis, they cannot replace professional dental care.
Regular dental visits are key to catching potential problems and preventing long-term complications.
Is Private Dental Insurance Necessary?
Dental insurance can be a valuable option if it fits your budget. Depending on the policy, it often helps cover or reduce costs for preventive care like checkups, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, crowns, bridges, and root canals.
However, private dental insurance policies often restrict optional dental services like cosmetic dentistry. Policy caps may limit the number of services your child can receive.
Luckily, choosing a dental office with coverage options can make all the difference in helping your child maintain a healthy smile.
What Are Alternatives to Private Dental Insurance?
If you cannot afford private health insurance premiums, there are some practical options to help pay for all the costs of child dental care.
Medicaid Insurance Coverage Through AHCCCS and KidsCare
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is a state program that provides joint federal Medicaid coverage to families with limited incomes, including dental care. Eligibility for AHCCCS coverage depends on family income and family size.
AHCCCS pays for all dental services for children under 21, including orthodontic care and oral surgery.
For adults, AHCCCS offers limited emergency dental services
The KidsCare program is an alternative form of low-cost health insurance, including dental coverage, for households that do not qualify for AHCCCS due to income.
The KidsCare program, the Arizona version is an alternative form of low-cost health insurance that includes dental treatment coverage for households not eligible for AHCCCS coverage due to household income. KidsCare is Arizona’s version of the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Dental Insurance for Military Veterans and Their Families
The VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs program that offers VA dental care benefits through discounted private dental insurance for Veterans and family members who meet certain requirements.
Dental Schools
All licensed dentists need to learn the profession’s skills, and dental schools provide hands-on standard dental care experience for aspiring dentists at a reduced rate for patients. Don’t worry, the students performing the dental procedure at a dental school work under the direct supervision of licensed dental professionals.
Dental schools do not offer a full range of low-cost dental services, but they can be a good low-cost option for routine care like checkups, cleanings, fillings, and other basic services.
Public Dental Clinics
Public and free dental clinics offer free or low-cost services for qualified patients based on income restrictions. Like dental schools, these clinics may not offer the full range of dental services but can be an affordable option for routine and basic care.
To find a public dental clinic near you, you can look one up online through the NeedyMeds dental clinic database. Just enter your Zip Code and the distance within which you want to search to find a listing of participating clinics.
Dental Grant Programs and Charities
Dental grants and charitable foundations can cover some or all of the costs of most standard dental care services for those who qualify. There are many kinds of programs available, including local organizations and ones that operate nationwide. Here are a few online resources where you can learn more about how to save money without insurance.
- Dental Grants in Arizona
- Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation (DDAZF) Grant Program
- The AzDA Cares Foundation
- Smiles Change Lives
Grants and charities can offset much or even all of the costs of dental treatments, including braces. The main challenge when using them for dental benefits is that you must meet their eligibility requirements, and they can have waiting times that last weeks or even months.
Online Fundraising
Americans are generous and compassionate people, and many individuals in Arizona and nationwide are willing to donate to others who need financial assistance. If you can tell a compelling story about your child’s dental care needs and how you cannot afford them, then you might consider using an online fundraising site to seek donations.
Dental Care Financing
Some organizations offer you the ability to obtain financing to pay for dental care services upfront, allowing you to make payments in a payment plan.
This service is like any other kind of credit, including using a credit card. If you do not pay back the borrowed amount during any interest-free period, the balance will accrue interest.
Call the Kids Dental Office of Phoenix With Your Dental Care Cost Questions
We provide the information above as an introduction to some of the choices you may have to afford dental care for your children when paying out-of-pocket is not practical. If you want to learn more about help with dental cost questions, call us at (602) 903-4894 or ask us a question online.
Providing proper dental care during childhood is one of the most important things you can do for your kids, and will benefit them into adulthood. There is no reason why you should forgo essential dental care services for them if you can find a reduced-cost way to help afford it, and you have options.
Let us help you make the best affordable dental care choice. Call us today.
