Inexpensive Dental Care in Massachusetts

Yes Virginia, You Can See the Dentist

By Dr. David Leader, published Jun 21, 2005
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Like many dentists, I speak regularly with parents and children about dentistry. After a particularly well attended session in July, I was packing my bags, and I overheard a young child ask her father when she would see a dentist. His sad reply was, "Honey, dentistry is for people who can afford it. We'll buy you a new toothbrush today." I do not know if I was meant to overhear that exchange, but I have an answer.

In Massachusetts, particularly in and around Boston some sites offer dental services at little or no cost to those who are not financially able to see a dentist in a private office. Often, only basic care is provided.
That is enough for most of us. Most people only see a dentist for checkups and the occasional simple restoration (filling).

One social safety net that has served the commonwealth for many years is Mass Health. Mass Health administers the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid. Mass Health offers medical and dental benefits for children and young adults through many clinics and private dental offices. This program is available to residents of Massachusetts who pass a financial needs test (income of no more than 133 to 200 percent of federal poverty levels). If the young lady's father and mother earn no more than $38,712.00, per year than she would qualify. Information on eligibility and application is available online at www.state.ma.us/dma/, or call the Mass Health Enrollment Center at 1-888-665-9993.

The Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) offers a new needs-based program for low cost dental care called "Massdentists CARE." This program is for children of low-income families. Call Andrea DeFeo of the Massachusetts Dental Society for an application at (800)342-8747.�

 
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Medicaid does not cover most dental treatment of most adults in Massachusetts? www.state.ma.us/dma/
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  • Like many dentists, I speak regularly with parents and children about dentistry. After a particularly well attended session in July, I was packing my bags, and I overheard a young child ask her father when she would see a dentist. His sad reply was, "Honey, dentistry is for people who can afford it. We'll buy you a new toothbrush today." I do not know if I was meant to overhear that exchange, but I have an answer.In Massachusetts, particularly in and around Boston some sites offer dental services at little or no cost to those who are not financially able to see a dentist in a private office. Often, only basic care is provided. That is enough for most of us. Most people only see a dentist for checkups and the occasional simple restoration (filling).One social safety net that has served the commonwealth for many years is Mass Health. Mass Health administers the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid. Mass Health offers medical and dental benefits for children and young adults through many clinics and private dental offices. This program is available to residents of Massachusetts who pass a financial needs test (income of no more than 133 to 200 percent of federal poverty levels). If the young lady's father and mother earn no more than $38,712.00, per year than she would qualify. Information on eligibility and application is available online at www.state.ma.us/dma/, or call the Mass Health Enrollment Center at 1-888-665-9993.The Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) offers a new needs-based program for low cost dental care called "Massdentists CARE." This program is for children of low-income families. Call Andrea DeFeo of the Massachusetts Dental Society for an application at (800)342-8747.� Boston is fortunate to have three dental schools and two hygiene schools in or near the city. Treatment in a dental school is not usually free, but it is comparatively inexpensive. Fees at Tufts, BU, and Harvard's dental school clinics are much less than the cost of similar treatment in a private office or clinic. Forsythe and Middlesex hygiene schools provide very inexpensive preventive care; if further treatment is needed you will be referred to the dentist or clinic of your choice. Receiving care in a dental or hygiene school takes longer than in a private office. Students and patients learn together in a cooperative atmosphere. Tufts, Forsythe, Harvard, and BU's clinics are very easy to reach by public transportation. For more information, contact the school of your choice at the following numbers:• Boston University Dental School, (617) 638-4700 • The Forsythe Department of Dental Hygiene, (617) 262-5200 • Harvard School of Dental Medicine, (617) 432-1434, menu option #1 • Middlesex Community College Hygiene Clinic, (978) 656-3250 • Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, (617) 636-6614 Many community health centers such as the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center have dental clinics. Their dental clinics accept Mass Health and some offer a sliding fee scale based on income. The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center's dental clinic only treats children.For victims of domestic violence, a grant will pay for dental care. Information on this grant is privileged. Only women's shelters have information on this grant. The treatment sites are secret, and all patients and their records are de-identified to protect their privacy.Dental Service of Massachusetts, also known as Delta Dental Plan of Massachusetts provides funds for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Reimbursement Grant through their charitable foundation. This generous grant is administered by Dr. Kanchan Ganda of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Patients with HIV/AIDS receive comprehensive treatment within the dental school clinic all of which is paid for by the Ryan White Grant.This is not a perfect answer. Mass Health does not cover dental treatment of most adults over the age of 21 except for emergency pain control and tooth extraction. Many clinics that offer free and low cost treatment have long waiting lists. Contact your state representative and senator (in Malden they are Reps. Christopher Fallon, Edward Connelly and Paul Donato, and Sen. Richard Tisei) to make sure that they know how much dental care is valued in their districts.Masshealth is available to residents of Massachusetts who pass a financial needs test.Boston is fortunate to have three dental schools and two hygiene schools in or near the city.Contact your state representative and senator so that they know how important this issue is.Medicaid does not cover most dental treatment of most adults in Massachusetts?www.massdental.org www.state.ma.us/dma/
Comments
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I live in NH and am in need of 8 crowns! My own dentist told me to go elsewhere as his office charges over a $1000.00 per crown. I am on Social Security and certainly can not afford this. Is there any help for me. Just because I live in NH, does it mean I can not go to Tufts Dental School for help? My only other option is to go to Mexico, and I am afraid to do that! Appreciate hearing from someone! srohlede@gis.net. Thank you

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Posted on 04/20/2008 at 6:04:14 PM

 
I have a six-year-old boy. He grounds his teeth during the nights. What can I do for him? What is the main reasons?

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Posted on 09/13/2007 at 9:09:00 PM

 
I Live in Mass , in need of some root canal, gum restructure, And Crowns , I contacted 1 800 Dentist they found a great dentist however, They are requesting a payment of $6080. Okay , I do not know about anyone else, I do not have dental and I cannot afford to pay all this, I need help in finding a dentist quickly , for my tooth is infeceted. Even a dentist that would allow a payment Plan,

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Posted on 06/19/2007 at 7:06:00 AM

 
MassHealth reinstated dental care for adults. I live outside of Boston, and had trouble finding a dentist because supposedly so many adults were flooding to the dentists and the dental list from MassHealth was not up to date. I was able to find someone to remove my wisdom teeth (a referral from my daugters orthodontist). He took me right away. They eventally referred me to a dentist in the same bldg that they knew took Mass Health and again I got an appointment immediately. First cleaning in 19 years. You can look for a dentist online through Mass Health at https://masshealth-dental.net/MemberServices/FindProvider.aspx I guess the government has given the dental management to a new company. Their literature says they will help you find a dentist that is taking new patients. I think you should take them up on that offer!!

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Posted on 06/18/2007 at 9:06:00 PM

 
I can across a Volunteer in Medicine Clinic listing in the Berkshires that lists nedical and dental VIM Clinic Alliance Massachusetts VIM Berkshires Dr. Howard Arkans 777 South Main Street Great Barrington, MA 01230 (413) 528-4014 www.vimberkshires.org

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Posted on 06/18/2007 at 9:06:00 PM

 
I am trying to find a facilty in which my children and myself can receive dental care based on a sliding scale fee. Are there any in the Everett area or surrounding cities? Please help

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Posted on 02/28/2007 at 3:02:00 PM

 
My Brother lives on the Cape,he is in desperate need of having his teeth removed and a denture made...he is an addict and does not take care of himself....are there any free dental clinics?

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Posted on 01/04/2007 at 9:01:00 PM

 
I have a client who desperatly needs every tooth pulled before infection sets in. There are no oral surgeons in my area who take MassHealth. /cry

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Posted on 10/30/2006 at 10:10:00 AM

 
an answering machine. The situation got worse after Masshealth dropped dental coverage for a while. We lost the few dentists who used to take Masshealth. I'm not sure if we even have one now. I can only imagine what the waiting list is like because of that! So now 9 years later she still has not had a cleaning, still has impacted wisdom teeth, and her two children still have not been able to go to the dentist. How much longer does this situation have to go on like this? Healthy teeth are important for overall health! Why isn't dental care considered part of HEALTH CARE? And why with all of the dentists in Berkshire County do so few of them care to help with this dire situation. My friend is by far not the only one with this problem! Are dentists more selfish than doctors? What is going on? Thankyou

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Posted on 08/31/2006 at 12:08:00 PM

 
Your solutions for Masshealth and clinics pose a bigger challenge for people who live out here in Western Mass, and I don't mean Northhampton/Springfield which is Franklin County, but here in Pittsfield/North Adams/Great Barrington which is Berkshire County. We literally have no dentists for children out here. A friend of mine has two children and when they were little they had Masshealth. None of the dentists in the entire county that do take Masshealth will take children under the age of 5. Of course the situation is almost as bad for adults. She had to wait 4 months just to get an appointment for a cleaning which she hadn't had since 1994, and when she finally got in they wouldn't clean her teeth because she has impacted wisdom teeth. Then when she tried to find someone to take out her impacted wisdom teeth, she found out there was only one Oral Surgeon for the entire county (he was up in North Adams or Williamstown) and she tried to call him 5 times. All 5 times she got a

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Posted on 08/31/2006 at 12:08:00 PM

 
D Adams, I hope that you have been taken care of since 2 weeks ago. This is not the best forum to ask me a direct question. You may want to call Uconn dental school in Farmington, Ct. The school is about 1.25 hours and directly south of Northhampton, Ma, or call the Mass dental society for suggestions. Ronssugars, please call the Mass Dental Society at 800.342.8747 for suggestions in Worcester.

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Posted on 05/28/2006 at 10:05:00 PM

 
i am over 21 and have a serious toothache right now. i can't afford the dentist. i live in western mass. where can i go? it hurts.

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Posted on 05/16/2006 at 6:05:00 PM

 
dear angel021549, Having given myself 2 thumbs down on my last message. I recommend going to the nearest dental school for inexpensive dentures. They are not free, but you will pay much less than in a private office or clinic.

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Posted on 06/29/2005 at 12:06:00 AM

 
Most dental insurance is only for groups. AAA offers an Altus plan that is real insurance and may be good for you.

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Posted on 06/29/2005 at 12:06:00 AM

 
what is a 56 year old widow supposed to do when she needs dentures and can't afford them on SSI?

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Posted on 06/28/2005 at 10:06:00 PM

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