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Admittedly, some people don’t have coverage, but could if they wanted to. This number, however, pales in comparison to that of those who simply can’t afford to be covered. I’m willing to bet that everyone reading this post know of at least one person that does not currently have dental care coverage. If that’s the case, do them a favor and point them to this post – they’ll thank you for it.

So, how can low income folks receive low cost, or in some cases free dental care?

1. Dental Schools – Just like many other skilled trades, you can receive closely-monitored treatment at a reduced rate by having the work done by a soon-to-be professional rather than an established professional. Every state has at least one dental school – so there’s one near you.

2. Clinical Trials – A number of industry groups and independent research firms conduct clinical trials for patients living with specific conditions. If you happen to qualify, the dental work performed as part of the trial is often free.

3. United Way – Many people don’t know this, but the United Way may be able to direct you to low cost dental care services in your community – check out their website to find a local chapter.

4. Free Dental Clinics – these have been popping up in communities across the country the last several years. Organizers will often recruit dentists and dental hygienists from around the community to offer free dental care for needy individuals. To find a free dental clinic coming to your area, check out the Free Medical Camps or Visit Freedentalcare.us.

5. Medicaid Services – Most states provide limited emergency dental services for people age 21 or over, while some offer comprehensive services. For most individuals under the age of 21, dental services are provided under Medicaid(nidcr.nih.gov). Visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid website for more information.

6. U.S Department of Health & Human Services(HRSA) – The HRSA may be able to help you find local federally-funded health centers that offer discounted dental care services. At these centers you pay what you can afford. To locate a local health center enter your details into the HRSA search engine.

Any Others?

These are just a handful of ways that you can find reduced-fee or free dental care services in your area. If you are in need of low cost dental care – I encourage you to exhaust the resources above. I think you’ll find that quality dental care is more accessible than you might think…Good luck!

Are there any other places you found low cost or free dental care services? Please let others know in a comment below.

So what does this have to do with dentistry? Well, it turns out that Mel could be in big trouble with the law, and the star witness that could bring him down is a dentist. On January 6, 2010, Gibson’s now ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, visited Dr. Shelden, a San Fernando Valley dentist after having a teeth knocked out and anothey chipped by none other than Mel Gibson.

Why wasn’t it reported until now? According to TMZ, Oksana asked to be treated confidentially by Dr. Shelden. Legally, if Dr. Shelden suspected that Oksana’s injuries were the result of abuse, he’s obligated to report that to the police. However, he apparently felt that patient confidentiality trumped his legal obligations.

This brings up a very important question.

Should dentists comply with the law and report suspected abuse, or respect patient confidentiality?

1. Try a Tooth Desensitizer
Most drug stores carry over-the-counter tooth desensitizers. Typically, you only want to treat the problem tooth or teeth with a tooth desensitizer. This will temporarily numb the area and should provide some relief.

2. Pain Relievers
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are good over-the-counter pain relievers. These can help to reduce inflammation and pain in the affected tooth/teeth. Be sure to follow the instructions on the labeling for proper dosage.

3. Garlic with a Pinch of Salt
This is a bit of a home remedy – but it works. Try placing a clove of garlic covered with a pinch of salt on the affected area. This will temporarily relieve the pain. Do this as often as necessary, because, unlike pain relievers and desensitizers, side effects aren’t an issue – except bad breath.

4. Take a Swig of Whiskey
Obviously this is a solution suited for adults only. Alcohol has been used for thousands of years as a pain reliever. To reduce tooth pain, take a swig and swish it around the affected area. You can spit out the alcohol when you’re done swishing, or swallow for a little pick-me-up!

5. Leave it Alone – Sometimes the tooth pain you’re experiencing isn’t as serious as it seems. It may be that food particles are stuck between your teeth and causing discomfort. Typically, if this is the case, the food will be worked out from between your teeth in a matter of hours or days and the pain should go away on its own.

Your Remedies
Do you have your own remedy for relieving tooth pain that works? Please share it in a comment below.

To do our small part in what must become a larger campaign, we’ve put together a list of 10 helpful tips for achieving optimal oral health.

10 Tips for Optimal Oral Health

1. Brush at least 2 times per day – Brushing your teeth at least 2 times per day is the number one way to reduce the likelihood that you’ll develop common oral conditions such as Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease) or Halitosis (Bad Breath).

2. Use the proper equipment – It’s best to use a soft-bristled toothbrush. The toothbrush can be electric or manual, but soft bristles are easier on the gums.

3. Brush for at least 2 minutes – The average person only brushes their teeth for 20 seconds. Think of brushing as a shower for your teeth. Do you take 20 second showers? No. Then, you shouldn’t brush your teeth in 20 seconds, either. Shoot for 2 minutes.

4. Ditch the toothbrush every 3 to 4 months – Toothbrush bristles generally become frayed and less rigid after about 3-4 months. So, it’s best to ditch it and buy a new one at this point.

5. Drink Water – Not only is water great for your overall health, but it’s also good for your teeth. Why? Water rinses your teeth and removes bacterial buildup. Water is also good for your teeth because it lacks enamel-eroding acid and sugar like many other popular beverages.

6. Avoid sticky or chewy foods – Sticky or chewy foods such as raisins, taffy, popcorn, etc. should be avoided because they often get stuck in every nook or cranny of your teeth – leading to bacteria buildup and larger problems down the road.

7. Floss at least once every day – This is a big one that many people neglect. Flossing sucks, let’s be honest. But, it’s a necessary evil if we want to ensure that food particles are nut stuck between our teeth and causing plaque buildup.

8. Don’t Smoke – We don’t have to tell you that smoking is one of the worst things you can do if your goal is to be healthy. Much like the rest of the body, your teeth are severely damaged by smoking. Smoking can form cancerous or precancerous lesions on your oral tissue – not good.

9. Use a toothbaste with fluoride – Fluoride has been found to prevent tooth decay – so make sure your toothpaste contains it.

10. Visit your dentist regularly – Schedule visits to your dentist 1-2 times per your for exams and cleanings. Besides the “Oh-So-Fresh” feeling you leave the dentist with, you’ll ensure that your oral care regimen is on track.

What would you add to the list

So, there you have it. Do you have any tips that should be added to the list? Please add it in a comment below.

5 Quick Tips for Finding a Great Dentist

1. Ask family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers for their recommendations – this may seem obvious, but many people don’t think to ask. Why not seek recommendations from those you trust the most?

2. Contact your local or state dental society for a referral – A quick Google Search for your state’s dental society can yield good results.

3. Refer to the American Dental Association’s member directory – The American Dental Association member directory includes a large number of quality dentists.

4. Ask your current dentist to make a recommendation – You may be wondering why in the world your current dentist would risk losing business by referring you to another dentist. However, if you’re moving, most dentists would be happy to refer a dentist they trust.

5. Check out online dentist directories – About.com has a nice list of online dental directories that can help you locate local dentists and dental specialists.

These quick tips should be a great start in your search for a new dentist.

Your Tips

Do you have additional tips for finding a local dentist? What worked for you?

Now, this notion of course only applies to certain circumstances. For instance, if you’re currently covered under your employer’s dental insurance plan, then it’s probably not necessary to also purchase a discount dental plan. However, having a discount dental plan can save you additional money when your dental insurance plan maximum has been reached.

If you are not covered by a dental insurance plan, then it makes more sense to purchase a discount dental plan. Why? More than anything, it comes down to cost. A dental insurance plan can cost you hundreds of dollars in premiums ($554 is national average according to Forbes) while discount dental plans typically run between $80 and $140 per year for individuals (slightly higher for families). Factor in the copays that are associated with dental insurance plans and the cost savings of discount dental plans are even more evident.

Discount dental plans also typically provide discounts for major procedures such as dental implants, but dental insurance may not. It’s important to read the fine print because plans vary. Other gotchas with dental insurance include: long wait times for coverage, denial of patients with certain pre-existing conditions, paperwork hassles, continually-increasing premiums, typically low annual limits and more.

The bottom line is, you have to decide what works best for your situation. Neither a discount dental plan or a dental insurance plan is perfect. Likewise, neither are better than the other in all situations. So, do your homework.

For additional information regarding the benefits of discount dental plans, visit our Dental Plans 101 page.

For more information regarding dental insurance visit the following resource: Yourdentistryguide.com

Sadly, the program reportedly has hit a bit of a snag. Orthodontists in particular appear to be concerned that the reimbursements for orthodontic procedures by Aetna Dental, the programs coverage administrator, are too low.

Dr. John Hermanson, president of the Iowa Society of Orthodontists, said he’s not comfortable with the terms of the contract with the insurer, and his attorney is reviewing it. “There has been a pattern of mistreatment by Delta,” he said. “It’s not about the money. It’s not an unwillingness to treat these kids(desmoinesregister.com).”

Under the dental-only program, orthodontists are reimbursed by Delta Dental up to $4,300 for orthodontia treatment, about $1,000 more than Medicaid. Donn Hutchins, CEO of Delta Dental says that his company is working hard to get Orthodontists on board with the program.

We’re going to continue to keep an eye on the program’s progress because the implications of either failure or success are so huge. Stay tuned.

“Ensuring our children have access to quality, affordable health care is a top priority of my administration,” said Culver. “I am proud to announce this dental-only option as a major step toward getting kids the coverage they not only need, but deserve. We are once again showing why Iowa is a leader in helping hard-working families by providing children’s health care.”

DHS Director Charles Krogmeier believes that as many as 22,000 underinsured children could be served by the program within one year of the March 1, 2010 launch date.

Iowa’s dental-only program spawned out of a 2009 move by Congress to allow states to institute dental-only programs that serve the underinsured. The program is expected to cost $4.9 million dollars through the next fiscal year. The federal government will pick up 75 percent of the tab, while the State of Iowa is responsible for the remaining 25 percent.

Low income Iowan families whose income falls below 150 percent of the poverty level can access the program free, and others eligible for the program will be gain access for no more than $30 per month.

For more information about Iowa’s dental-only program for children in low income families, please call 1-800-257-8563 or visit hawk-i.org.

Sources: kcci.com, siouxcityjournal.com