Dental Schools for Treatment ...

[GetFreeDental]

I am new to the forum and eager to post!

I have assisted the poor with various dental needs over the years and referred countless people to dental schools and clinics for much needed help. I have a two-fold question ...

1. How effective are dental schools at treating the poor? I have received a mixed bag of feedback over the years and would like to know from those who have been there.
2. Are dental schools a good alternative for low income people who need treatment? I am not completely sure how the fees work with dental schools. If a person is unemployed and does not have insurance, will they be charged on a sliding scale of some sort?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks and God Bless!

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[peg lateral]

I am new to the forum and eager to post!

I have assisted the poor with various dental needs over the years and referred countless people to dental schools and clinics for much needed help. I have a two-fold question ...

1. How effective are dental schools at treating the poor? I have received a mixed bag of feedback over the years and would like to know from those who have been there.
2. Are dental schools a good alternative for low income people who need treatment? I am not completely sure how the fees work with dental schools. If a person is unemployed and does not have insurance, will they be charged on a sliding scale of some sort?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks and God Bless!

At the dental school I went to there is no sliding fee scale. There are certain circumstances where some patients would be able to get discounts based on income, but it is a case-by-case basis, and the discounts were only for crowns, bridges, partials, and dentures. Basic restorative and preventative work was not included in discounts. At the dental school we treated a more disadvantaged/limited access to care demographic, but if the patient couldn't cover the cost of the already very low fees (probably some of the lowest among all dental school) then unfortunately there wasn't anything we could do for them. There would be those patients who would take advantage of the students and the students end up paying for their treatment so they can graduate. Unfortunately, that happens way too much than it should. There was no "free" work-- the patient or the student had to pay.

In answer to your question-- yes, dental schools are a good alternative for low income individuals to receive dental care. However, if these individuals cannot afford the care at the dental school, the best recommendation I can give is for these individuals to try and find a way to attend a Mission of Mercy event where they can get at least their most urgent dental problem taken care of for free.

And as far as being effective at providing dental care to the poor-- the dental school does a good job of providing care to lower-income individuals who have a means of getting to the dental school, either by car, public transportation, etc. There are various public health clinics throughout the city that do participate in a sliding fee scale, and these would probably be a better alternative for some of these individuals than going to the dental school.

 

[eventualOMFS]

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[ivydental]

UF dental clinic closing after 23 years of filling a need
http://jacksonville.com/news/florid...-jacksonville-dental-clinic’s-former-patients

Closure of Tufts dental clinic leaves disabled patients without care
http://www.tuftsdaily.com/closure-o...-patients-without-care-1.2212574#.Tp21id5MLoY

 

[GetFreeDental]

UF dental clinic closing after 23 years of filling a need
http://jacksonville.com/news/florid...-jacksonville-dental-clinic’s-former-patients

WOW - this stinks. After reading the story, I felt compelled to register for an account and make a post. It is tough to see a clinic close especial one that served countless people over the years. I understand their building is in disrepair but the poor do not care. The poor care about the skilled people inside the building🙂.

 

[GetFreeDental]

@peg lateral and eventualOMFS ... THANKS for the information! Sounds like services offered by dental schools vary which is understandable. Funny that someone reminisce about the days when everything was free🙂 ... ahhh, times have changed. The cost of materials, infrastructure, and education have all increased exponentially over the years. Nonetheless, it is a blessing that people still care.

I would like to get a list of dental schools offering services along with contact information to pass along to people in need. Transportation to a given school for service might be challenging for someone who has nothing. Perhaps we subsidize the cost of transportation through donations.

Any thoughts on getting a list of dental schools offering services?

Thanks again for you help and information!

 

[peg lateral]

@peg lateral and eventualOMFS ... THANKS for the information! Sounds like services offered by dental schools vary which is understandable. Funny that someone reminisce about the days when everything was free🙂 ... ahhh, times have changed. The cost of materials, infrastructure, and education have all increased exponentially over the years. Nonetheless, it is a blessing that people still care.

I would like to get a list of dental schools offering services along with contact information to pass along to people in need. Transportation to a given school for service might be challenging for someone who has nothing. Perhaps we subsidize the cost of transportation through donations.

Any thoughts on getting a list of dental schools offering services?

Thanks again for you help and information!

http://www.ada.org/267.aspx

 

[GetFreeDental]

http://www.ada.org/267.aspx

Thanks for the information!👍