Dental Grants in Kentucky

Last Updated on April 20, 2024 by Rachel

Dental grants in Kentucky help senior citizens who qualify for oral health care for free or low-cost services. Charitable organizations make dental care accessible and inexpensive for low-income households, senior individuals, and those without dental insurance.


Are there Free Dental Implants in Kentucky?

People who are unable to pay for their dental care and qualify for the requirements of the organization are given financial support in the form of government grants for dental implants.  However, you need to show more than just low income to qualify for these grants. These grants, also referred to as the Cosmetic Dentistry Grants Program (CDG), are not made available to particular individuals.  Nonprofit groups and initiatives like dental insurance and publicly supported healthcare receive funding. People that meet the requirements can then submit grant requests to these organizations. The waiting list will ultimately decide who gets the grant first.

Are there Grants for Dental in Kentucky?

There are four dental grants available to the people of Kentucky:

Northern Kentucky Adult Dental Assistance Program: Adults who meet the program’s eligibility requirements and reside in Campbell, Boone, or Kenton Counties are entitled to no-cost preventive dental care. However, there is a waiting list for the services depending on how many applications are received. The financing for the Northern Kentucky Adult Dental Assistance Program will be handled by the Fiscal Courts of Boone, Campbell, and Kenton Counties.


If you fall under any of the following categories, then you are eligible for this program:

  • You reside in Kentucky’s Boone, Kenton, or Campbell counties
  • Don’t have dental coverage with your insurance
  • Don’t meet the minimum monthly income requirements for your family size.

Delta Dental of Kentucky Foundation: The Delta Dental of Kentucky Foundation (DDKY) was established to guarantee that every Kentuckian has a beautiful, healthy smile. DDKY seeks to promote initiatives and services that raise the standard of living and oral health of Kentuckians.

Cosmetic Dental Grants in Kentucky: Purchasing dental insurance is a good choice, but what if your plan does not cover cosmetic dental work? The majority of dental insurance plans have this issue. You should check for dental grants in Kentucky if you need cosmetic dental treatment. Although Kentucky offers dental grants, there is no guarantee that they will pay for cosmetic dental work.

Dental Implant Grants: If you require a tooth replacement, you will require a dental implant. Since dental implants are an expensive treatment, people with limited incomes cannot afford them. Dental implant grants are provided for low-income households, who can use them to get dental implants at a discounted price.

How to Get Financial Help for Dental Care in Kentucky?

Finding a way to pay for dental treatments shouldn’t be stressful, and everyone should have access to the care they require. These options can help you or a loved one obtain financial support for dental care, from nonprofits that support dental bills for seniors to low-cost dental facilities:

  1. Both dental schools and public health clinics have access to government dental assistance programs, enabling them to provide reduced-cost services to people in need.
  2. Dental grants can help pay all or part of the cost of expensive medical procedures. Although these grants have the potential to change people’s lives, many have requirements that must be met.
  3. Crowdfunding has been used by thousands of people as an excellent way to get help paying for unforeseen dental expenses.
  4. Numerous charities also provide financial aid for dental work that insurance might not cover.

Charities that Help with Dental Costs

A number of dental initiatives are supported by the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Kentucky Dental Association (KDA)  to assist patients of all ages, especially senior citizens. Delta Dental of Kentucky established the Delta Dental of Kentucky Foundation for the purpose of advancing its mission of guaranteeing that every Kentuckian has a healthy and happy smile. Every year, Delta Dental of Kentucky reiterates its dedication to supporting initiatives and services that raise the general public’s standard of living and oral health through the Foundation. Underprivileged and elderly communities in Kentucky can receive dental care thanks to Smiles Across the Commonwealth for free. Any Kentucky non-profit can use this mobile dental unit to offer essential dental care to individuals in need.

Free or Low-Cost Dental Clinics Near Me in Kentucky?

There are more than 40 dental clinics in Kentucky that provide free or low-cost dental services. Some of them are mentioned below:

  • Juniper Health – Lee Dental
  • Dental and Medical Clinic at MCHC Booneville
  • HealthFirst Bluegrass – Southland Dental
  • The Refuge Clinic
  • Shawnee Christian Healthcare Center Dental Clinic
  • Park DuValle Community Health – Newburg
  • Mission Lexington Dental Clinic

Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants in Kentucky?

The Medicare plan does not cover all dental services that are necessary for the maintenance of your oral health, like cleanings, fillings, implants, and tooth extractions. However, it does provide provisions for the reimbursement of services that are a part of another treatment that is covered, such as the restoration of your jaw after an accident. In some cases, it will also pay for dental checkups. A mandatory oral examination would be covered by Medicare Part A if it is done by a hospital dentist and by Medicare Part B if it is done by a doctor.

According to the KFF, a health policy group, most Medicare Advantage plans (97%) offer dental insurance, so if you believe dental implants are in your old age, you might want to consider enrolling in one. You could have to pay a higher premium for coverage that includes services beyond normal dental care.

Consider a separate dental plan that includes coverage for dental implants if you decide to continue with your Original Medicare. There could be coinsurance and a maximum annual benefit amount, so this probably won’t cover all expenses, but it might pay for enough bills to be worthwhile.

In order to choose the healthcare option that best meets your needs, it is important to understand the distinctions between Medicare and private health insurance.

Programs Helping with Teeth Cleaning, Fillings, Decays and Root Canal Costs

In most cases, dental grants don’t usually cover teeth cleanings, fillings, decay, and root canal costs, unless there is a medical emergency. However, there are some programs that will allow you to access dental care services for a lower cost.

Cosmetic dentistry, tooth replacement, and other dental procedures can be highly expensive. Dental grants can help to make certain treatments more affordable for senior citizens. You can check such charitable and non-profit organizations in your area to get free dental help.

In addition to dental grants, Kentucky seniors may be eligible for a variety of additional grants. Learn more about grants for Kentucky seniors here.