Dental Grants in Florida

Last Updated on April 18, 2024 by Rachel

Why does Florida have over 60 million people over the age of 60? First, the weather in this state is not too high or too low, making it conducive for seniors. In addition, for retirees with a lot of time on their hands, there are museums, parks, art exhibits, and natural scenery they can enjoy.

Moreover, resources are in place that attracts seniors to live in Florida. One of them being dental grants and benefits for free or low-cost dental care. Oral health deteriorates with age, so having programs in place to even out these challenges make life an exceptional experience for senior Floridians.

Are Dental Grants Real?

Dental grants in Florida provide social and oral health services for Floridians. The grants promote the accessibility of necessary dental services to underserved populations. Many non-profit and dental-help organizations fund programs that offer free or reduced-cost dental services to promote healthier lives.

The Donated Dental Services (DDS) and Project Dentists Care are programs run by Florida Dental Association (FDA) that offer free or low-cost fee dentistry services to the following patients:

• A lifelong disability
• People who have no money to pay for treatment
• Medically fragile individuals
• Seniors from 65 and above

How to Find Financial Help For Dental Care in Florida

In Florida, seniors can apply for dental grants or refunds on cash spent on dental treatments. The Dental Lifeline network has 200 labs and 350 volunteer dentists who serve in ignored regions. Before applying with Dental Lifeline, a dentist has to examine you to ascertain if you qualify for dental grants.

Dental Grants

The Florida Dental Association (FDA) formed the Project Dentists Care and DDS programs to dispense dental hygiene and care services to the most vulnerable Floridians. Low-income earners, medically fragile, people living with disabilities, and seniors have benefited from grants for dental clinics.

Cosmetic Dental Grants

Cosmetic dental procedures are expensive, and not everyone can afford them. Dentures range from $1,000 to $3,000, while those supported by implants cost $21,000 on average. For the disadvantaged to afford these and other cosmetic dental procedures, cosmetic dental grants are awarded to programs.

The grants cover the following treatments:

• Bridges
• Crowns
• Enamel shaping
• Dentures
• Dental implants

These grants may not cover cleaning, fillings, and root canal treatments.

Dental Implant Grants

Some grants awarded by organizations cover dental implants because they are expensive. Talk to your local dentist at the clinic to find out which grants cover dental implants.

Free Dental Implants for Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are a way of saving a few bucks on dental implants. Procedures allow students to work on actual patients and are carried out under the strict supervision of expert dentists. The sole purpose of the trials is to research to advance dental treatments, drugs, and dental care equipment.

Are There Charities/Local Organizations that Help with Dental Costs?

The impact charities and local organizations have had on disadvantaged communities cannot be put into words. Many programs have been funded through these groups improving the oral health of Floridians from all walks of life.

Florida Mission of Mercy: The FLO-MOM is a two day clinic that serves patients with no income on a first-come-first-served-basis.

The Donated Dental Services: A group of volunteer dentist commit their skills and time to serve underprivileged members of the society and provide them with quality dental care services.

Project: Dental Care: Seniors earning incomes 200% below the federal poverty level qualify for dental procedures like emergency dentistry, fillings, dental exams, etc. The Federal Poverty Level Calculator can be utilized to calculate your poverty level.

Along with dental care, many of these charitable organizations are providing assistance to elderly individuals in different ways like housing assistance, financial assistance transportation, food and clothing too.

Are There Free or Low-Cost Dental Clinics in Florida?

There are free or low-cost dental clinics in Florida that offer sliding fee scale services and low-affordable services.

1. Central Florida Healthcare- Winter Haven
2. HEP Dental Clinic- Clearwater
3. Gainesville Community Ministry Dental Clinic
4. HANDS of St Lucie County

Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants in Florida?

Neither The Original Medicare (Part A) nor Part B for medical insurance covers dental costs. The only help with costs either of the plans can offer is if your procedure is carried out in a hospital and admission is necessary.

• Medicare Part A may cover your admittance costs but not any dental costs you incur.
• Medicare Part B may cover the cost of prescription medications if purchased separately.

Which Medicare plan has the best dental coverage? Medicare Advantage Plan is, but it comes with two disadvantages:

1. You will need to pay extra for coinsurance
2. It has a dental benefit amount limit

In order to ascertain which healthcare alternative is better suited for your requirements, educate yourself about the contrast between Medicare and private health insurance.

Are There Grants or Programs that Help with Teeth Cleaning and Fillings Costs?

The DDS, Mission of Mercy, Project: Dental Care, and free dental clinics offer help with teeth cleaning, fillings, root canals, and decay costs. Dental grants awarded to these programs cover different types of treatment.

Your local dentist is aware of all the dental treatments covered by dental programs funded by grants awarded to charitable and free clinics. They can give you the go-ahead on which ones to apply for your treatment.

Financial Assistance

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program offers monthly financial aid to seniors over 65 for shelter, food, and clothing. As long as you are a low-income earner and have less than $2,000 worth of resources, it doesn’t matter whether you receive retirement benefits, you can claim SSI. The amount received depends on income and assets.

Optional State Supplementation (OSS) Program is a state program that gives monthly cash payments to older adults to cover the cost of care in senior living facilities.

Seniors in Florida may receive support which includes help with utility bills, grants for veterans, home repair grants, relief food, transportation, and health-related assistance like medical expenses.