How to Get Free Dental Implants for Low Income Americans

Dental implants offer a permanent solution for missing teeth, but the price tag can be overwhelming. If you’re on a limited budget, there are ways to get the smile you deserve without breaking the bank. We have found legit, verified organizations that provide free dental implants for low income Americans!

Programs that Offer Free Dental Implants

Missing teeth can make it hard to eat the foods you love, smile confidently, or even speak clearly. But the high cost of dental implants can seem out of reach. Don’t lose hope! These programs may be able to help you.

Smiles for Everyone Foundation

The Smiles for Everyone Foundation estimates that around 69% of American adults have lost at least one tooth and need a dental implant. However, they know that not everyone can afford one. That’s why they launched a new initiative called Implanting Inspiration that can help offset the cost!

In order to benefit from this program, you will need to work with one of their partner organizations to get your implant. Their partner organizations include Smile Brands, Impact Direct and DDS Lab. There are more than 400 brands that can work with this organization, including well-known brands like Bright Now Dental, Monarch Dental, OneSmile Dental and more. They have a presence in 16 states!

In order to qualify for free dental implants from Implanting Inspiration, you must be a low income, underinsured American who needs a dental implant.

This organization only accepts applications during certain times of the year. You will need to check their application page to see if they are currently accepting applications. If they are not, you will need to follow their organization for updates or check back periodically to see if the applications have reopened.

Donated Dental Services

Many dentists offer free dental services to low income patients. They may do this through clinics, events, or just donated hours.

In some rare cases, you may be able to get free dental implants through Donated Dental Services providers. However, this is rare because these providers typically focus on pain relief and other basic procedures.

Department of Veterans Affairs

If you are an eligible veteran who qualifies for VA dental care, you may be able to receive free dental implants if a provider deems them medically necessary. Dental implants are usually only considered in cases where other options are not viable or when the functional benefits of implants significantly outweigh the benefits of more traditional treatments.

This is primarily because the VA often opts for more cost-effective treatments such as dentures or partials, which are generally less expensive than implants.

Medicaid

Medicaid provides dental coverage for children in all states. Some states have also expanded Medicaid to provide dental coverage for adults. However, this program typically has strict limits and it usually will not provide dental implants unless they are deemed medically necessary.

There are only a few situations in which dental implants may be considered medically necessary. This includes if they are needed to preserve jawbone integrity, support your facial support, or protect your ability to speak properly. If your implants are medically necessary, you may need to appeal and fight for your ability to get them covered.

In order to find out if your Medicaid plan covers free dental implants for low income patients, you will need to call the number on the back of your card and ask a patient care advocate for details.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that explore whether a medical strategy, treatment, or device is safe and effective for humans. These studies also may show which medical approaches work best for certain illnesses or groups of people. Participating in a clinical trial can provide access to cutting-edge treatments, such as dental implants, often at a reduced cost or for free.

Before participating, it’s important to understand that clinical trials are conducted in phases and may require eligibility based on specific health conditions, previous treatment history, and other factors. Each study aims to answer scientific questions and to find better ways to prevent, screen for, diagnose, or treat a disease.

You can find upcoming clinical trials by searching ClinicalTrials.gov, or by visiting the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) or checking with your local university hospital or dental school.

Discounted Dental Implants

There are additional sources that may provide discounted dental implants. Please remember that the resources in this section are not free but may be able to assist you with low cost services.

Dental Schools

If you’re considering dental implants but are concerned about the high costs, dental schools can be an excellent resource for affordable care. Many dental schools across the country offer dental services performed by dental students and residents, supervised by experienced licensed dentists and specialists. These services typically come at a significantly reduced cost, making them a viable option for those seeking budget-friendly solutions.

Dental students can offer all sorts of discounted services, from preventative care to more complex procedures like implants. If you’re interested in getting an affordable dental implant from your local dental school, you’ll need to reach out to the one nearest you and see if it’s a service they offer.

Groupon

Groupon, a popular online marketplace, can be an excellent resource for finding discounted services, including dental procedures like implants. By offering limited-time deals at significantly reduced prices, Groupon helps you access dental treatments at a fraction of the usual cost.

Some dentists may list dental implant deals that aren’t actually that great for savings. In order to identify if the Groupon offers in your area are actually a good deal, you need to know what dental implants cost in your area so that you can compare effectively.

Other Options

The reason it’s so hard to find free dental implants for low income people is because implants are usually considered a cosmetic or unnecessary procedure. Most low income assistance programs focus only on procedures that are medically necessary or urgently needed to relieve pain.

As a result, I strongly recommend that you consider free dentures or free partials instead of free dental implants. It’s easier to find help with those costs, since programs like Medicaid and even free dental clinics are more likely to cover them. It’s also easier to get help with them from programs like Dental Lifeline Network as well.

On that note, there is a lot of misleading information out there about free dental implants. Many other sources claim that organizations like Dental Lifeline Network can assist with dental implants but that’s not true. In fact, DLN is very clear that dental implants and other cosmetic dental procedures are outside the scope of what their organization is designed to provide. Similarly, PACE plans cover dentures but do not generally provide free dental implants.

Relief Recap

It’s hard to find free dental implants for low income Americans because they are considered a cosmetic instead of a medically necessary procedure. Although we’ve listed a few options, it’s generally easier to get help with free dentures or free partials instead. It’s always a good idea to consult with your dental provider to evaluate all of your options.

Nicole Thelin

Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.