Good dental hygiene is key to maintaining your overall health. However, accessing affordable dental care can be difficult, leading many to forego dental services when they need them. While skipping out on a few routine dental visits may seem like no big deal, this can lead to more serious and expensive problems down the road.
Thankfully, Oklahoma has plenty of resources available to those who are seeking dental care but have limited financial resources. Whether you need a quick check-up, a filling, or want to begin more long-term treatment, there are programs in place to help you get the care you need.
SoonerCare Dental Coverage
SoonerCare is the name of Oklahoma’s Medicaid program. The program is administered by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) and helps low-income individuals pay for medical expenses.
If you are a member, SoonerCare may cover the costs of preventative, diagnostic, and restorative dental services. Coverage depends on the age of the person seeking care, as well as the person’s health plan. For more information on which services you may qualify for, please visit the OHCA website.
Adults SoonerCare members who have developmental disabilities may be eligible to receive dental benefits. If they are served through the In-Home Supports Waiver or Community Waiver, a case manager can evaluate them to determine which initial services they need.
Oklahoma Mission of Mercy
The Oklahoma Mission of Mercy (OkMOM) is a two-day long dental clinic held every February in a different location throughout the state. The goal of the clinic is to provide free dental treatment to those who are uninsured or have difficulty accessing dental care for other reasons.
While at the clinic, you will be screened by a professional who will identify which services you need. Some of the services provided at the clinic include oral surgery, extractions, and restorations.
Over the years, OkMCM has treated thousands of Oklahoma residents. If you are interested in attending their next clinic, check out their website for details about its time and location. Keep in mind that some dental issues require more immediate care than others. If waiting to attend this clinic could put your health at risk, consider looking into other options to be treated in a timely manner
MobileSmiles Oklahoma
MobileSmiles Oklahoma provides free dental care and education to the residents of Oklahoma via two mobile dental clinics. These RV-style vehicles travel throughout the state to provide services to those who need them most, including low-income communities.
The program provides services like free cleanings, x-rays, extractions, and more, no questions asked. However, they are currently unable to provide patients with braces, dentures, and oral surgery, which require long-term treatment.
In order for MobileSmiles to visit a community, an organization must offer to host the clinic at their site. As a result, the clinics are usually held outside of churches, schools, or non-profits. These site partners are also responsible for scheduling patients to receive care.
University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry
The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry provides affordable dental care to members of the public. They are able to offer such low prices because it is students, not experienced dentists, who perform services.
The University has clinics in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa. As part of the school’s Comprehensive Care program, patients receive general services like cleanings, fillings, and restorations from students. More advanced care, such as orthodontic treatment and surgery, is performed by residents and members of postdoctoral programs.
You can learn more about the college and apply to become a patient here. While people of all ages may receive care, whether you are accepted as a patient or not depends on the needs of students.
Rose State College Dental Hygiene Clinic
Rose State College in Midwest City also runs a dental clinic that provides low-cost treatment to members of the public. While the services offered at this clinic are limited, it can still be a valuable resource for those struggling to access basic dental care.
Students provide all of the services offered at the clinic, which helps keep costs low. Patients can receive cleanings for the affordable price of 10 dollars from May to August. The college also runs a children’s clinic, where children ages 3 to 12 can receive cleanings, sealants, and x-rays. To receive care, you must first attend a screening appointment, where a care team will assess your oral health.
Sliding Scale Clinics
There are several other clinics throughout Oklahoma that offer free and low-cost dental services to people with limited finances. Some of them receive money from the federal government to use a sliding scale when determine the cost of a patient’s care. This means that the price of a treatment is adjusted depending on a patient’s ability to pay.
The Mary Moheney Health Center in Spencer offers sliding scale fees for primary and preventative services. Variety Care also has a network of clinics throughout Oklahoma that offer sliding scale fees to patients who meet certain criteria. These clinics generally offer a wide range of services, allowing them to help you address more complex dental issues.
Delta Dental's Directory of Dental Care Resources
One helpful resource for those seeking dental care in the Sooner State is Delta Dental of Oklahoma’s Guide to Free and Low-Cost Dental Care. This guide includes a list of clinics throughout the state that strive to provide low-income individuals with quality care at a reasonable price.
Delta Dental has made a commitment to to help people facing dental issues figure out which care provider is right for them. You can call their Delta Dental Helpline at 405-607-4747 to talk to one of their Dental Care Navigators about resources available near you.
Delta Dental is also able to provide financial assistance to certain uninsured patients through their Urgent Care Fund. If you are worried about how much your treatment may cost, Delta Dental may be able to ease your anxiety and help you start your dental care journey.
Oklahoma Dental Association
The Oklahoma Dental Association (ODA) is group of dentists dedicated to advancing the field of dentistry and promoting oral health in the state of Oklahoma. The ODA plays a crucial role in making sure Oklahomans receive quality dental care by performing community outreach and supporting dentists throughout the state. The ODA even works to influence public policy to improve access to dental care and enhance the oral health of Oklahoma residents.
While the ODA is not a dental clinic, they can help direct you to one that fits your specific needs. You can visit their website for more information on affordable dental services in Oklahoma, or to use their search tool to find an ODA dentist near you.
It is very important that you can easily contact dental care providers and government organizations during your search for dental care. Thankfully, EASY Wireless may be able to help. They help low-income individuals who qualify for government programs like Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program access affordable phone service. An EASY Wireless Unlimited Plan includes:
FREE Unlimited Data
FREE Unlimited Talk
FREE Unlimited Text
FREE SIM Card Kit and Activation
Can Choose to Keep Your Number, or Get a New One
To find out if you qualify for an EASY Wireless plan, fill out an application here. Or, you can visit an EASY Wireless retail location to talk to a representative about your options.
