Finding Low-Cost

Dental Care

National Institute of Dental

and Craniofacial Research

Improving the Nation’s Oral Health

CLINICAL TRIALS

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), one of the 

federal government’s National Institutes of Health, leads the nation in conducting 

and supporting research to improve oral health. As a research organization, NIDCR 

does not provide financial assistance for dental treatment. The following resources, 

however, may help you find the dental care you need.

NIDCR sometimes seeks volunteers with specific dental, oral, and craniofacial 

conditions to participate in research studies, also known as clinical trials. Researchers 

may provide study participants with limited free or low-cost dental treatment for the 

particular condition they are studying. To find out if there are any NIDCR clinical 

trials that you might fit into, visit the NIDCR web site at http://www.nidcr.nih.gov and 

click on “Clinical Trials.” For a complete list of all federally funded clinical trials, visit 

http://clinicaltrials.gov. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may need to visit 

your local library or ask a friend or family member for assistance.

To see if you qualify for any clinical trials being conducted at our Bethesda, Maryland, 

campus, you can call the Clinical Center’s Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison 

Office at 1–800–411–1222.

Dental schools can be a good source of quality, reduced-cost dental treatment. 

Most of these teaching facilities have clinics that allow dental students to gain 

experience treating patients while providing care at a reduced cost. Experienced, 

licensed dentists closely supervise the students. Post-graduate and faculty clinics 

are also available at most schools. 

Dental hygiene schools may also offer supervised, low-cost preventive dental 

care as part of the training experience for dental hygienists. 

To find out if there are schools of dentistry or dental hygiene in your area, 

call your state dental society or association. These organizations are listed 

in your telephone book. For a complete list of dental schools, visit the American 

Dental Association web site at http://www.ada.org/267.aspx. To locate dental 

hygiene schools, go to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association web site at 

http://www.adha.org/careerinfo/dir_education.htm. You can also contact the 

National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse at:

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research 

National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse 

1 NOHIC Way 

Bethesda, Maryland 20892–3500 

1–866–232–4528

DENTAL SCHOOLS 
BUREAU OF PRIMARY 

HEALTH CARE

The Bureau of Primary Health Care, a service of the Health Resources and Services 

Administration (HRSA), supports federally-funded community health centers across 

the country that provide free or reduced-cost health services, including dental care. 

To obtain a list of centers in your area, contact the HRSA Information Center toll-free at 

1–888–Ask–HRSA (1–888–275–4772) or visit their web site at http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administers three important federallyfunded programs: Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

CENTERS FOR 

MEDICARE & 

MEDICAID SERVICES

•	 Medicare is a health insurance program for people who are 65 years and older or for 

people with specific disabilities. Medicare does not cover most routine dental care 

or dentures. Visit http://www.cms.gov/MedicareDentalCoverage/.

•	 Medicaid is a state-run program that provides medical benefits, and in some cases 

dental benefits, to eligible individuals and families. States set their own guidelines 

regarding who is eligible and what services are covered. Most states provide limited 

emergency dental services for people age 21 or over, while some offer comprehensive 

services. For most individuals under the age of 21, dental services are provided under 

Medicaid. Visit http://www.cms.gov/MedicaidDentalCoverage/.

•	 CHIP helps children up to age 19 who are without health insurance. CHIP 

provides medical coverage and, in most cases, dental services to children who 

qualify. Dental services covered under this program vary from state to state. 

Visit http://www.cms.gov/CHIPDentalCoverage/.

CMS can provide detailed information about each of these programs and refer 

you to state programs where applicable. If you currently have Medicare, call 

1–800–MEDICARE (1–800–633–4227). Others may call 1–877–267–2323 or visit the 

CMS web site at http://www.cms.gov. You can also write to them at the address below:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

7500 Security Boulevard

Baltimore, Maryland 21244

STATE AND LOCAL 

RESOURCES

Your state or local health department may know of programs in your area that offer free or

reduced-cost dental care. Call your local or state health department to learn more about 

their financial assistance programs. Check your local telephone book for the number to call.

The United Way may be able to direct you to free or reduced-cost dental services 

in your community. Check your telephone book for the number of your local 

United Way chapter.

UNITED WAY

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

National Institute of Dental and 

Craniofacial Research

NIH Publication No. 10-6097

Revised May 2010

For additional copies of this fact sheet contact:

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse

1 NOHIC Way

Bethesda, Maryland 20892–3500

1–866–232–4528 

http://www.nidcr.nih.gov

This publication is not copyrighted. Make as many copies as you need.