Conditions Back ConditionsDrugs & Supplements Back Drugs & SupplementsWell-Being Back Well-BeingMore Back More Privacy & More Subscribe Log In Search Subscribe How to Find Free or Low-Cost Dental Care for SeniorsWritten by Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on August 18, 20213 min readSeniors who rely on may find that their coverage only extends to emergency medical needs, like pulling a rotting tooth. Medicare doesn’t generally pay for that is considered routine, like cleanings, fillings, or . Learn how to find low-cost dental solutions for seniors that help you save money on dental services.Understand Medicare Dental CoverageMedicare’s basic policies – usually called Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B – do not cover routine dental care. However, if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, may cover routine services for seniors.Typically, Medicare pays for emergency dental care as it relates to other health conditions. For example, if a tooth is causing infection, Medicare may cover its removal before a major surgery or before a patient begins . While Medicare pays for these emergencies, it will not pay for a replacement tooth, like or dentures.Consider a Medicare SupplementMany insurance companies offer Medicare supplement plans that pick up charges Medicare doesn’t cover. This often extends to both medical and dental care. Before paying for a supplement, read the fine print and understand: What services the supplement coversWhat services are explicitly not coveredHow much the policy pays for each serviceWhat, if anything, you would need to pay for covered servicesWhich providers accept the supplementHow to use Medicare and the supplement togetherYour responsibilities as a patientThe terms of the policy While a supplement may increase your monthly payment, it can help you save money in the long run.Resources for Medicare and other dental policies include:The Dental Lifeline Network of the American Dental AssociationYour state’s Department of HealthCommunity Health Centers in your areaMajor insurance companies like Humana or CignaDental Schools and CollegeIf you live near a university or community college, check to see if they offer dental programs. Many curriculums require dental students to gain experience with real patients in order to graduate. As a result, the schools offer low-cost or free dental cleanings for seniors and others in need. You can check the American Dental Association website to see if there is an approved program in your area.Professionally licensed oversee the students in these programs to ensure that you receive high-quality dental care. Since the students are learning, you can expect to spend more time here than you would at a traditional dentist's office. If you need more dental work than the students can provide, the supervisors may be able to recommend other community resources to you.Clinical TrialsOrganizations like the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) may conduct dental studies in your area. These studies are usually exclusive to people suffering from certain dental conditions. If you have extensive damage that needs work, volunteering for a study is a great way to save money on senior dental care. Search on the NIDCR website to find out about studies in or near your community.Financial Assistance ProgramsSome dental offices participate in free or low-cost dental care for seniors through state or federally funded programs. Grants and other funding may cover dental expenses for seniors who seek care at specific dental offices. Keep in mind that not all dentists participate in these programs, so you may need to see a different dentist than you usually do.United WayYour local United Way chapter may have access to other community-based resources. Dental expense assistance for seniors through local programs may be income-based. Depending on how much money you make each month, services may be free or have a small associated fee.Veteran ResourcesIf you served in a branch of the U.S. military at any point in your life, you might qualify for Veteran Affairs (VA) dental assistance. In 2020 the VA helped provide care to nearly half a million veterans. Contact the VA to determine your eligibility and apply for dental care benefits.If you’re already enrolled in veteran medical benefits, you may be able to add dental coverage to your policy for a small additional fee each month. Keep in mind that you are not automatically enrolled in dental benefits, and you must complete the qualification process first.SourcesUpdate HistorySharePrintSOURCES:National Council on Aging: “Medicare and Dental Coverage.”U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: “Where can I find low-cost dental care?”U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: “VA Dentistry - Improving Veterans’ Oral Health.”SharePrintMore on Health Insurance and Medicare Recommended FEATURED Top doctors in , Find more top doctors on Search Related LinksPoliciesAboutFor Advertisers © 2005 - 2025 WebMD LLC, an company. All rights reserved. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. , Medicare beneficiaries spend an average of $874 a year out-of-pocket on dental work. Learn how to find cheap or free dental care for seniors on Medicare., Seniors over sixty-five on Medicare often need free dental care because their fixed retirement incomes make it unaffordable to pay the dentist out-of-pocket. Traditional Medicare (Parts A & B) does not pay for most oral care, while Advantage plans (Part C) sometimes cover basic services such as exams, cleanings, fillings, and extractions..