Dental care in the US can be even more difficult to navigate than other forms of healthcare depending on where you live and what your options for insurance are. Sometimes, there are no options for dental coverage for people who are here on certain types of visas or who work certain jobs. What do you do as an international student, visitor, or new immigrant if you have no dental insurance?
Your first stop is your dentist. Most dentists will be happy to go over your options with you and help you find solutions that work with your specific needs. If what you still need is out of your price range, however, you may need to find something else on your own.
A few people may be able to use Medicaid or Medicare, but that doesn’t describe the majority of non-Americans who find themselves needing dental care in the US. Medicaid and Medicare are also limited, and coverage varies widely from state to state. If you do have access to insurance through a government program, contact your local dental office to see what’s covered and what’s not. If what you need is covered, great! If not, keep reading.
One of the most common things in the US for students and immigrants is to wait until they visit their home countries and fix any problems while there. However, in the case of a dental emergency or if you don’t have a multiple entry visa or are waiting for a green card or I-765, this doesn’t always work. If you are stuck in the US or have a dental emergency, you have a few options.
1. Credit Cards
Funding dental work via credit cards is not ideal, but it is an option. Some credit card companies market themselves toward health-related items not usually covered by insurance such as dental care, vision care, and pet care. Your dentist office should have information about these types of cards if they take them. Be aware of the terms of the card and be diligent about paying them as soon as possible.
2. Dental schools
If you live near a dental school, you may be in luck! Dental schools often treat dental issues at a lower cost. You can find a list of schools on the ADA website. And if all you really need is a cleaning, you may be able to find reduced-cost cleanings through a dental hygiene program.
To utilize these resources, you will need to call the school and ask about dental treatments. From there, they can get what information they need from you and tell you whether or not they can help you.
3. Contact a friend
If you have a friend who has been in a similar situation, you can ask for a reference. Some dentists are better about working with students or lower income patients than others. Find out who is good working with your specific situation.
4. Contact your local health department
Local health departments are part of the government and they provide a variety of public health services. While their roles vary from state to state, they often will have information about dentists who work with lower income people in your specific area. To find your local health department, just Google your town or state and “health department.” Some health departments may have a list of resources on their website. Others you may have to call. Just be sure to call your local health department and not the overall state health department. Some states have their health departments set up a little more differently from others, so if you have trouble with this step, skip to step 5.
5. Call United Way (211)
United Way is a non-profit organization that serves the community in a number of ways, including helping people find health resources. They are a great way to find a variety of resources you may need, not just dental. If you find yourself needing help and you aren’t sure where to go, try dialing 211. Some United Way chapters will even allow you to chat with 211 operators directly on the United Way website. Google “United Way” and your state for local resources.
Don’t forget you can prioritize! If you have a dental emergency today and are also planning to visit your home country in the next several months, you can almost always get a temporary fix in the US or fix the minimum you need in the US and do more permanent or extensive work in your home country. Talk to your dentist to see what your options are.