Dental Grants in Arizona

Last Updated on April 18, 2024 by Rachel

With its beautiful sunsets and desert climate, Arizona is listed as one of the best states for older adults. Are you looking for a low-cost state with famous golf courses you can enjoy as a retiree? Arizona is the place! Besides the scenery and tax breaks, seniors have financial, housing, and medical resources that can benefit them.

As an elderly resident, you can benefit from many federal, state, and non-profit organization programs. One of the programs you can take advantage of is dental grants. These grants are awarded for the sole purpose of increasing the accessibility of oral treatment to undeserving Arizonans.

Are There Grants for Dental in Arizona?

Yes, there are grants for dental works in Arizona to promote the delivery of oral care services to those in the most need of it. The Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) has partnered with federal and state governments, volunteer dentists, administrators, and private entities to make dental treatment available to all Arizonans.

The Donated Dental Services (DDS) works day and night to ensure that oral care is accessible to undeserving citizens. AZDHS and DDS are funding volunteers working in dental programs, offering scholarships to students interested in dentistry, and making dental care services available to high-risk individuals.

How to Get Financial Help for Dental in Arizona

Not everyone qualifies for dental grants that cover all dental treatment expenses. Eligibility criteria vary for different programs and organizations. If you’re a senior above 65, your health is compromised, you have little to no income, or are living with a disability, you are eligible for DDS Arizona’s dental grants.

Volunteer dentists at free dental clinics or in dental programs assess dental reports and decide who qualifies for free or low-cost dental treatment.

The application process for dental grants in Arizona isn’t rocket science, making it convenient for older adults. All one has to do is fill out an application form after meeting the criteria for the program and wait for feedback.

Seniors that can afford dental care services pay a small fee. Dental services may have a reduced cost to those who can afford them, depending on the income and assets of an individual.

Volunteer dentists have dedicated their skills to providing free dental services to veterans in Arizona. Though the window for application has closed, veterans can still apply for dental grants by filling out this application form.

Dental Grants

Arizona dental grants have provided funding for 2500 volunteer dentists and 50 labs. Different organizations work for Arizonans to provide oral treatment to eligible citizens. If one doesn’t qualify for a dental grant, one will receive a letter of denial.

Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation awarded 29 not-for-profit organizations over $750,000 worth of grants to promote oral health. These funds were to help needy Arizonans who don’t have fair access to dental care.

Cosmetic Dental Grants: Dentures range from $1,000 to $3,000, while those supported by implants cost $21,000 on average. This is one cosmetic dental procedure. Due to the high cost of these cosmetic dental services, most insurance companies do not cover dental treatments. Some programs and organizations cover these procedures. However, double-check with your dentist to ensure that your treatment is covered.

CDGs cover the following procedures:

• Invisalign
• Veneers
• Dentures
• Enamel shaping
• Crowns and caps

Dental Implant Grants: Your local dentist is in the best position to tell you whether or not the grant you’re interested in covers dental implants.

Free Dental Implant Clinical Trials: A single implant ranges from $1,500 to $2,000, too many dollars for someone on a budget! If you shop with coupons and chase sales and discounts, you have landed a jackpot with dental implant clinical trials.

Dental schools, medical institutions, and universities offering dentistry courses run clinical trials that offer free dental implants that could save you money and sometimes pay individuals to participate in the program. Clinical trials are the best way to save money and make money while taking care of your oral health and contributing to research.

Participating in these trials is voluntary, and patients have information on all the procedures and risks of the research. Students carry out dental procedures under the supervision of a licensed dentist to ensure safety.

Finding clinical trials is easy. A.T. Still University has all the information you need on ongoing or completed trials in Arizona.

Charities that Help with Dental Costs

Charities and local organizations offer financial assistance to older citizens to help meet their basic needs.

Sun City Community Assistance Network: This charity organization offers free assistance to seniors, people living with disabilities, and undeserving Arizonans to help them meet their basic needs. One of the resources they offer is the Medicare Savings Program which helps save over $100 Premium deducted from one’s Social Security Checks.

They have partnered with Katsur Dental and Orthodontics to offer seniors and low-income earners low-cost dental care services.

Arizona Dental Mission of Mercy: This is a two-day large-scale dental clinic driven by volunteers to provide free dental treatment to those who can’t access or afford dental care. The clinic is at Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix. Treatment is on a first-come-first-served basis.

The procedures offered include fillings, extractions, cleaning, and simple dental procedures that can be performed in a mission setting. Cosmetic surgery, implants, and braces are not provided.

More nonprofit organizations are starting to exist all throughout the nation. Let’s take a look at a handful of the most well-known 10 Charities that Help Seniors.

Free or Low-Cost Clinics in Arizona

There are free or low-cost clinic options for seniors in Arizona.

North Country Healthcare Flagstaff: offer preventive care like exams and x-rays, as well as restorative care, including fillings, bridges, and crowns, at a sliding fee scale to patients who qualify. They also accept a wide range of insurance covers and offer discounts on some dental treatments.

Marana Dental Clinic: The dental department at this health center has the Sliding Fee Scale Program that increases the affordability of dental care services. The services include preventive cleansing, bridges, extractions, root canals, and restorative care.

Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants in Arizona

Medicare plans do not cover dental implants. Neither The Original Medicare (Part A) nor Part B for medical insurance covers dental costs. If hospital admission is necessary, Medicare Part A may cover admission costs, while Medicare part B may cover prescription medication costs purchased separately.

Which Medicare Plan is the best for dental implants? Medicare Advantage is best suited for dental coverage. The disadvantages of this plan are it comes at an extra fee for coinsurance and has a dental benefit amount limit.

Programs that Help with Tooth Decay and Fillings?

Free dental clinics and community health centers offer reduced and free tooth decay, fillings, cleansing, and root canal services to undeserving Arizonans. Also, dental schools provide these services for free since they are a learning opportunity and promote research. You can speak to your local dentists to find discounts on these dental treatments.

Financial Assistance

Seniors in Arizona have many resources, including help with utility bills, transport assistance, house repair grants, free food, health-related assistance, and grants for veterans.

Supplemental Security Income: a relief program funded by taxes given to seniors to assist them with their basic needs.

Senior Community Service Employment Program: This program promotes self-sufficiency for unemployed older adults above 55 by offering compensation.

Aging comes with a lot of dental-related problems. The older you get, the faster the health of your teeth deteriorates. Dental care services are generally expensive and burden retirees with little or no income. Thus the elderly need to take advantage of programs in place for dental care to promote the oral health of Arizonans and restore smiles on their faces.