Dental Grants in Kansas

Why is Kansas the right state to live in for the elderly? It is ranked the second cheapest state, has affordable commodities with prices below the national average and is tax-friendly for seniors with little to no income. In addition, it has beautiful landscapes and sunsets that retirees can enjoy.

Despite the positives that attract older adults to live in Kansas, some challenges influenced by age require them to benefit from external assistance to enjoy fully living in this breathtaking state. Oral health deterioration and the high cost of dental care services are problems that seniors face that they need help mitigating.

Local charities, state authorities, and governments are working together to ensure that the issue of inadequate access to oral health is a thing of the past. They are funding projects that provide dental care services to undeserving populations in Kansas.

Are there Grants For Dental in Kansas?

Yes, grants for dental are available in Kansas to promote the accessibility of dental care to children, pregnant women, seniors, low-income earners, and people living with disabilities. Not-for-profit organizations, private dentists, private companies, and the federal government are stakeholders of projects and programs that provide free or reduced-cost oral health services to citizens of Kansas.

The Dental Lifeline Network, Kansas Dental Association, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and Kansas Dental Charitable Foundation are sponsors of the numerous dental programs that are helping millions of older adults in Kansas to regain their confidence through attractive smiles.

How to Get Financial Help for Dental Care in Kansas

The coordinator of Donated Dental Services (DDS) determines the individuals eligible for dental grants. The DDS is a program of the Dental Lifeline Network. The program is of a group of volunteer dentists who run dental clinics and laboratories serving patients who cannot afford dental treatments. The eligibility criteria are:

• Patients who cannot afford dental treatment
• Individuals with permanent disabilities
• Seniors over 65 years
• Medically vulnerable patients in need of immediate dental care

The DDS has 326 volunteer dentists and almost 50 laboratories that have served about 4,000 patients and offered $15 million in donated treatment to disadvantaged citizens of Kansas.

You need to attach a report from your dentist, which the program’s coordinator will study and decide whether you qualify for free or reduced-cost dental services. For patients who would like to make an application, note that DDS dentists do not offer emergency treatment or cosmetic dental services.

Dental Grants

Dental grants are awarded to free or low-cost dental clinics, community health centers, and dental programs to ensure financially challenged seniors, children, and communities are allowed to receive high-quality dental services.

Cosmetic Dental Grants: Retirees lack an active income and insurance coverage, which makes affording dental services impossible. Cosmetic dental grants are awarded to ease the burden of cosmetic dental treatments on the elderly who forfeit the procedure due to financial constraints.

Cosmetic dental grants cover treatments including veneers, dentures, crowns and caps, Invisalign, and dental implants. Not all dental grants cover cosmetic dental treatment, so your dentist needs to confirm that your CDG of interest covers these procedures.

Dental Implant Grants: Dental implant grants enable senior citizens can get dental implants for free or at low prices. Similarly, get a confirmation from the dentist at your nearest free clinic that your grant of choice covers implants.

Free Dental Implant Clinical Trials: At clinical trials, patients with the specific conditions under study are eligible for free or affordable dental implants. The purpose of these trials is to research to enhance the advancement of medication, equipment, and treatment of dental-related conditions.

Learn more about ongoing or completed dental implant clinical trials on the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research site, which has all the information you need.

Dental Schools: Students are allowed to provide services to actual patients to be licensed. The dental procedures done in dental clinics owned by dental schools are performed under the strict supervision of professional dentists. Here are dental school clinics in the state of Kansas:

• Concorde Career College Dental Hygiene Clinic
• Johnson County Community College
• Colby Community College
• Wichita State University
• University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry
• Flint Hills Technical College

Charities that Help with Dental Costs

The DearNeighbor Ministries: The DearNeighbor Ministries is a faith-based charity that offers welfare checks to undeserving seniors to maintain proper health, including oral health.

Catholic Charities: Catholic Charities offer monetary assistance to seniors in need to help settle emergency bills like medical expenses, dental emergency treatment, etc.

Kansas Mission of Mercy: The Dental Charitable Foundation organizes a two-day large-scale dental clinic, the Mission of Mercy, where dentists gather to offer dental treatments to low-income patients, seniors, and children on a first-come-first-served basis.

Numerous other churches also provide support and aid to seniors, and it is advisable to reach out to your nearby churches to inquire about the services and programs they offer for seniors.

Are there Free or Low-Cost Clinics in Kansas?

Yes, dental clinics offering free, reduced-cost, or sliding scale charges for dental services are available in Kansas. Seniors with no income receive free services, but those who can afford treatment pay a small fee, mostly for lab work and x-rays.

1. Atchison Community Health Clinic- Atchison
2. Flint Hills Community Health Center- Emporia
3. Heart of Kansas Family Health Care Clinic- Great Bend
4. First Care Clinic- Hays
5. Swope Health Wyandotte- Kansas City

Does Medicare Cover Dental?          

Medicare plans do not cover dental implants. The Original Medicare (Part A) and Part B offer only hospital and medical coverage, respectively. In cases of hospitalization for dental procedures, the Medicare Original (Part A) may cover admittance costs incurred, while the Part B Plan may cover prescription medication costs. Other than Medicare, there are additional programs available that provide prescription assistance to older adults.

Medicare Advantage Plan is the best plan for dental coverage. It comes at an extra fee for coinsurance and has a limit on the dental benefit amount.

Programs that Help with Fillings, Decay, and Root Canal Costs

Donated Dental Services (DDS) provides fillings, decay, root canal, and cleaning costs at affordable charges. Dental and dental school clinics also offer these treatments at low prices, which helps seniors access them.

Financial Assistance

Seniors in Kansas receive the following assistance:

• Home repair grants
• Free food
• Transportation
• Health-related assistance like insurance coverage
• Grants for veterans
• Help with utility bills

Depending on available funds, charitable organizations like Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army offer financial aid to seniors in need.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a monetary assistance program of the Social Security Administration (SSA) that helps seniors above 65 with assets valued below $2,000 with cash to meet their basic needs.

Living in Kansas is a dream come true because of the resources set up to take care of seniors. Projects and programs are established to ensure smiles on seniors’ faces since their health has been looked after by prioritizing their oral health.