Low Cost Dental Help
Denstists can be expensive. Looking for cheaper alternatives is something we have dedicated ourselves to. Look for more info here as we find more and things change!
Here are a few options from a recent article in the Tennessean Newspaper (https://www.tennessean.com/story/life/2019/09/05/dental-insurance-nashville-clinics-offer-free-care/2155079001/ )
Interfaith Dental Clinic
One of the most active providers of dental care to the elderly, uninsured and working poor is the Interfaith Dental, which has clinics in Nashville and Murfreesboro.
Details: interfaithdentalclinic.com
Matthew Walker Centers
Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Centers in Nashville and Clarksville offer a full range of affordable dental care services, including dental exams and cleanings, teeth whitening, oral cancer screenings, dentures, partials, fillings, crowns, tooth extractions, root canal and implants. Fees are on a sliding-income scale.
Details: mwchc.org/services
Neighborhood Health
Neighborhood Health Centers, with three dental centers in Nashville and one in Lebanon, offers a wide range of affordable dental care services, including exams and cleanings, dentures, partials, fillings, crowns and tooth extractions. The centers serve everyone from children through elderly, and those without insurance as well as those with TennCare or commercial coverage. In 2018 Neighborhood Health provided dental care to 3,633 patients. Fees are on a sliding-income scale.
Details: neighborhoodhealthtn.org/services
Chrysalis Oral Health Care
Chrysalis Oral Health Care Alliance is a non profit that partners with existing agencies like Faith Family Medical Center to provide access to preventative and restorative dental care to underserved, underinsured and vulnerable populations in the Nashville area. Fees are determined on a sliding scale. Patients just need to provide proof of income. There are no stipulations regarding employment and they see patients who are referred by partnering non-profits as well as others.
Details: chrysalisohca.org
Student clinics
The Tennessee State University Dental Hygiene Clinic has a student clinic offering dental screenings and basic cleanings for children and adults for reduced fees.
Details: tnstate.edu/dentalhygiene/clinic.aspx or 615-963-5791
Meharry Medical College’s School of Dentistry also has a student clinic, which offers services such as fillings, dentures, crowns and bridges at about one-third of private practice rates. Meharry also has a free, student-run Saltwagon Clinic at various locations that offers dental services on some Thursday evenings.
Details on both Meharry clinics: 615-327-6900
The few times we have personally tried to get into these places, unfortunately the availability was severely limited. Things may change year to year or even week to week as the amount of people who are seeking care is likely not consistent each week.
However the last time we tried some of these options we were told that at one place we would have to wait until next month, apply for the waiting list, get a call back and either take a lottery given time slot or not – and the chances of getting in any time slot was less than 50%.
We’d like to see dental health option become more accessible not just more affordable but also available 7 days a week and in more areas. It is sad that in today’s day and age people can be in extreme pain and need for dental help, and are often told that an emergency room will do nothing for you other than give you a tylenol and a bill for a couple thousand dollars.
There is little information about getting dental help on weekends or at night anywhere. Many dentists are not open on Friday, and some dentists often re-schedule their regular patients from Thursday appointment to Tuesdays so they can take a 4 or 5 day weekend many times a year.
a couple of listings via freeDentalCare dot US:
Tennessee Free Dental Clinics
Nashville Free Dental ClinicsMain Street Clinic Nashville Contact Information:
905 Main St
Nashville, TN - 37206
(615) 256-0197Southside Family Clinic Contact Information:
107 Charles E. Davis Blvd.
Nashville, TN - 37210
(615) 227-3000More info coming soon.