Dental Grants in Idaho

Last Updated on April 20, 2024 by Rachel

Idaho is one of the safest states in the USA. In addition to low crime rates, there are tax benefits for the elderly, beautiful landscapes, and low property prices. All these make Idaho a good choice for seniors. However, some challenges come with age, like loss of independence, issues with morbidity, and immune compromise.

One of the most expensive challenges for senior citizens is oral health deterioration. Dental treatments like implants and cosmetic dentistry procedures are too costly to older adults who require them but lack an income or insurance coverage.

Even though Idaho is a convenient state for senior adults, some resources and programs should be in place to ease their financial burdens, especially those related to dental care. The state, federal and local governments, in collaboration with private entities and not-for-profit organizations, are providing several programs to ensure the dental health of seniors is taken care of.

Are Dental Grants Real?

Yes, dental grants in Idaho are legit. International organizations, charities, local and state governments, and non-profit organizations fund programs offering free or reduced-costs services to undeserving populations in Idaho.

The Delta Dental of Idaho, Idaho State Dental Association, Donated Dental Services of Idaho, and other foundations fund volunteer dentists and laboratories that provide free services to disadvantaged children, seniors, families, and people with disabilities.

How to Get Financial Help for Dental in Idaho

Organizations offering grants have criteria and guidelines you should meet before they award grants to programs. Dental grants are not awarded to individuals but to programs or institutions that offer low costs dental treatments. If your proposal objectives align with the foundation’s, then the grant will be awarded to you.

The Donated Dental Services (DDS) awards grants to:

• Need immediate dental treatment
• People who cannot afford treatment
• Elderly citizens 65 years and above

The DDS provides comprehensive treatment to undeserving patients but does not provide cosmetic surgery or emergency services.

Dental Grants

Dental grants create opportunities for people who cannot afford dental treatments to access them for free or at a low cost. Depending on your procedure and income, the dental grant can reduce your dental costs by up to 30%. The Dental Lifeline Work Network’s DDS disburses funds to various clinics and programs in Idaho.

Cosmetic Dental Grants: Cosmetic Dental procedures are elective. Most of the programs that offer them have no eligibility criteria. However, speak to your dentist to ensure that the grant covers these types of procedures. CDG covers Invisalign, veneers, dentures, dental implants, crowns, etc.

Dental Implant Grants: Dental implant prices range from $800 to $4,000 per implant in Idaho, which is too high for seniors with no source of income. Many organizations offer grants that cover implants to help undeserving Idahoans settle their dental costs. The Program of All-inclusive Care for The Elderly (PACE) helps seniors above 55 pay for dental services, like implants, that are not covered by Medicaid.

Dental Schools: Dental schools offer free or low-cost dental services to allow their students to dispense dental treatment to actual patients before they are licensed. You may not receive 100% free dental implants, but they can offer cheap yet high-quality ones to ease the burden of dental costs on you. These services are part of the school’s community outreach.

Free Dental Implants Clinical Trials: The US Food and Drug Administration approves all the trials carried out in the USA. These trials are done for research to ensure that new drugs, treatment methods, and equipment are effective and safe. Students carry out the procedures on patients under the strict supervision of qualified and licensed dentists. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research lists free dental implants clinical trials on their website that interested parties can take a look at.

Charities that Help with Dental Bills

Charities provide humanitarian help to those who are in need in the community. They offer financial assistance to help cater to basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, and medical expenses. Financial aid by such organizations can cover dental costs.

Catholic Charities: Catholic Charities in Idaho offer financial assistance depending on available funds. These funds are provided to seniors to assist them to cater for expenses like dental costs.

United Methodist Church: Besides food and shelter, this charity organization offers cash assistance that helps cover dental costs that the elderly incur.

Saint Vincent De Paul: Seniors who need assistance can contact this local organization for food, shelter, furniture, and clothing. In addition, Saint Vincent De Paul provides cash assistance to senior citizens who urgently need medical attention.

There are several other churches that offer assistance to seniors. Some of these churches may provide practical support such as transportation while others may offer social activities or counseling services. It is recommended to contact churches in your area to inquire about the specific services they offer to seniors.

Are there Free or Low-Cost Clinics in Idaho?

Yes, there are over 30 free or reduced-cost dental clinics in Idaho. The types of free or reduced-cost clinics in Idaho are:

• Non-profit dental care clinics
• Free dental care clinics
• Affordable, low-cost dental care clinics
• Low- or sliding-fee dental care clinics

1. Glenns Ferry’s Free Or Low-cost Dental Clinics

Most dental clinics are government-supported and offer sliding-fee dental care to undeserving Idahoans. Desert Sage Health Centres and Glenn Ferry HC, Inc. are the dental clinics in this area.

2. Twin Falls’ Free Or Low-cost Dental Clinics

The FHS Twin Falls Dental Clinic’s services include dental education, patients’ oral exams, dental radiographs, cleanings, composite (white fillings) and amalgam (silver fillings) teeth filling treatments, and limited periodontal treatment. It is a sliding-scale clinic whose costs depend on an individual’s income and the type of financial assistance offered by the clinic. Other dental clinics in Twin Falls are The Wellness Tree Community Dental Clinic, Family Health Service Corporation, and FHS Buhl Dental Clinic.

Medicare and Dental Coverage

Medicare does not cover dental costs. However, the Medicare Original (Part A) may cover admittance costs incurred in cases of hospitalization for the dental procedure. The Part B Plan may cover prescription medication costs if purchased separately. There are several options available for seniors who need help affording their prescription medications. It’s a good idea to explore multiple programs to identify the most suitable one that aligns with your unique needs and circumstances.

Although it costs more than the other plans and has a maximum dental amount benefit limit, the Medicare Advantage Plan is the best for dental coverage.

Grants that Cover Teeth Fillings, Decays and Root Canal Costs

Volunteer dentists working in free or reduced-cost dental clinics provide dental care services like fillings, cleanings, root canals, and decay at affordable prices to help cover their costs.

GrinWell for You Program: Delta Dental of Idaho established the GrinWell for You program that offers free preventive and restorative treatments to low-income seniors 60-79 years old. As long as you have no current dental benefits, live in Idaho, and are mobile, you qualify for fillings, cleanings, extractions, dental exams, etc.

Idaho Smiles Program: The MCNA Dental, under the Idaho Smiles Program, provides Medicaid dental benefits to citizens of Idaho above 21 years of age. The Enhanced Medicaid Plan covers preventive care like dental cleanings, x-rays, and exams and therapeutic care like fillings, extractions, dentures, etc. Several other categories and services of Medicaid are available to cater to the healthcare needs of seniors.

Financial Assistance

The state of Idaho and not-for-profit organizations offer food, transportation, health-related resources, help with utility bills, and home repair grants to retirees.

Temporary Assistance for Families (TAFI) is a program that provides up to $309 monthly cash assistance to low-income families. Seniors with low income and little value assets can send their applications to receive this assistance.

Supplementary Security Income (SSI) is a federal monthly cash assistance offered to seniors above 65 to help them cater to their basic needs.

Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD) is another form of monthly cash assistance to seniors over 65 with a low income or receiving SSI.

So many resources are in place to help older adults deal with the challenges of oral health that manifest with aging. It is the responsibility of the elderly Idahoans to use these programs provided by the state, local and federal government and other organizations to put smiles on their faces.