Free and Low-Cost Dental Clinics | Your Child is the Top Priority

A national survey found that out of seven reasons for skipping a dental visit, affordability and lack of insurance was reason number one. Cost and inadequate insurance coverage can make dental care a low priority for families.

Many people without dental insurance take their children to free dental clinics, but it can be hard to find one in your area. You need an affordable alternative for your child’s dental treatment.

At Kool Smiles, we know that affordable children’s dental care is important. That’s why we provide low-cost services, offer flexible payment options, and accept Medicaid and other insurance coverage. We make sure that your child’s dental health is our top priority.

Call 254-781-0553 to speak with a friendly representative who can help you find your nearest Kool Smiles dental clinic and schedule your no-cost consultation.

Kool Smiles Is a Great Alternative to Free Dental Clinics

The average cost of a teeth cleaning is $77 for kids and $102 for adults. For a larger family, the cost of just a basic cleaning can really add up. You need a low-cost alternative to keep your annual dental costs within your budget.

If you are unable to find or attend a free dental clinic, you can still make your child’s dental care a priority. Visiting your Kool Smiles dentist office is a great option for high-quality dental care at a lower cost.

Our mission is to bring quality dental care to every child. With over 120 locations nationwide, there’s a good chance a Kool Smiles dental care center is near you.

Find a Low-Cost Dentist with Flexible Hours Near You

The average full-time worker in America works 47 hours per week, and the average dental clinic is only open for 33 hours per week. Most dental clinics do not work with your busy schedule to ensure that your family gets the dental care they need. Dental care should not be a lower priority due to your local clinic hours.

Our Kool Smiles locations are open during evening and weekend hours, so you don’t have to worry about taking time off from work to see the dentist with your family. Check with your nearest Kool Smiles location to see if they are open on Saturdays or evenings during the week.

Affordable Dental Care for Families With or Without Insurance

There is no limit to the number of Medicaid patients a Kool Smiles dental care center will treat in a day.

For families without dental insurance, Kool Smiles offers flexible payment options. We accept cash, credit cards and even CareCredit healthcare credit cards.

CareCredit is a great way to create affordable payment plans for your kid’s dental care. A Kool Smiles representative will be happy to set up an account with you in our office.

Medicaid for Dental Care

If you have Medicaid, your child is covered by law for dental diagnoses, basic dental procedures and dental emergencies. As long as the treatment is medically necessary, it can be covered by Medicaid. Medicaid and CHIP are accepted by all Kool Smiles locations, so you don’t have to worry about the door being closed to you and your family.

If you wish to apply for Medicaid or CHIP, you can learn more at Medicaid.gov.

Free Dental Care with Sharing Smiles Day

No-cost dental care through Kool Smiles may be available to your family if the difficulty of finding a free dental clinic makes it a lower priority. Kool Smiles started the annual Sharing Smiles Day to provide free dental care to areas with the greatest need.

Sharing Smiles Day treats children on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each patient will have access to the following:

• Dental exam
• Limited emergency care
• Extractions
• Restorative care

If you are uninsured and do not have access to a free dental clinic, your child should still be examined by a certified dentist. Call 254-781-0553 to learn about the next Sharing Smiles Day at your local Kool Smiles location.

Low-Cost Dental Care You Can Trust

The quality of dental care is just as important as its affordability. That’s why Kool Smiles provides high quality care in a safe and fun environment. Whether you need a general dentist, pediatric dentist or orthodontist, you will find a Kool Smiles provider in your area who has experience working with kids of all ages, including those with special needs.

When Should You Bring Your Child to the Dentist?

It’s recommended that you bring your child to the dentist by the time they have their first birthday. Establishing a healthy foundation with preventative care will save your child’s mouth before issues become much worse, so finding an affordable dental clinic after their first tooth erupts should be a priority.

Many dentists recommend building a “dental home” with a regular family dentist. There are several benefits to building an ongoing relationship with your general or pediatric dentist, such as:

• Early education and resources for parents and children on dental health
• Early detection of cavities or decay that may not be readily visible to parents
• Built trust over time between dental care provider and families
• A trusted dentist that will work with you to access affordable dental care
• Less costly preventative care compared to emergency care or surgery
• Proper referrals to specialists as needed

In the end, a strong relationship between patient and dentist can be the key to accessing better dental care in a way that is coordinated with your child’s needs and your budget. Don’t let an easy fix become a complicated headache in the future.

Why Your Child’s Dental Health Is Not a Lower Priority Than Overall Health

Residents in lower-income neighborhoods are more likely to suffer from tooth loss caused by decay and gum disease. Tooth decay is a serious issue that can affect your child’s self-esteem and even nutrition. Tooth loss and pain from decay can make it difficult to eat certain foods, leading to malnutrition.

In addition to one’s mouth, other areas of the body can suffer the consequences of poor dental care. This is because poor dental health is often linked to a poor diet, which can affect overall health.

Kool Smiles is invested in your child’s overall health. We make dental care accessible for all families, so you can provide a better, healthier future for your family.

How to Make Dental Hygiene a Top Priority at Home

While finding a dental clinic can be a lower priority for many families, dental hygiene practices in the home should be taken very seriously to avoid dental emergencies and other oral health problems.

Let dental hygiene become a priority for your child by making it fun. Dental hygienist at the University of Vermont Medical Center, Chelsea Wells, has some tips for getting young children into the habit of brushing their teeth.

• Be Creative—Make brushing and flossing an exciting time by livening up the moment with music, a story or a game centered on brushing.
• Stick to It—Create a routine and stick with it even when you and your family are on vacation. Encourage brushing to become “second nature.”
• Positive Reinforcement—Instead of nagging your child to brush their teeth, create a rewards system that motivates your kid to brush every day. This can be a tracking chart, words of encouragement or affection or their favorite movie—just don’t reward them with candy.
• Shopping—Let you kid have control over brushing by letting them pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste. A fun toothbrush can make brushing less dull.
• Brush Together—The family that brushes together stays healthy together. Be a positive influence by brushing in front of your child and include the whole family!

By incorporating good dental hygiene habits into your child’s and your daily routine, you will avoid having to pay even higher dental expenses from emergency dental care or extractions.

Don’t Wait to Get Your Child to the Dentist

Your child’s dental health is a key part of their overall health. While your kid should visit the dentist for a cleaning and exam every six months, not everyone makes it to the dentist’s chair that often.

Whether or not your family has dental insurance, Kool Smiles has some of the lowest prices in the country. If you are looking for free or lower-cost dental clinics for your child, come see what our kid-friendly dental offices are all about.

Make your child’s dental health a priority and call 254-781-0553 to schedule an appointment today.

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Sources:

Resolution Dental Plan: resolutiondentalplan.com/

University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry: dentistry.uic.edu/patients/oral-health-parents-kids-learn-together

The Floss Bar: theflossbar.com/freshthoughts/2018/1/21/the-state-of-dental-care-in-america

CareCredit: carecredit.com/howcarecreditworks/

HealthAffairs.org: healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20170113.058329/full/

Medicaid.org: medicaid.gov/medicaid/index.html

DentalEconomics.com: dentaleconomics.com/articles/print/volume-106/issue-3/macroeconomics/traction-and-the-dental-home.html

WOSU Public Media: stories.wosu.org/2017/10/27/dentists-dont-go/

University of Vermont Medical Center: medcenterblog.uvmhealth.org/children-health/dental-hygiene-kids/