Emergency Dental Without Insurance - What To Do

Are you facing a dental emergency without insurance? It’s a challenging situation and unfortunately, it’s becoming more common in the U.S. According to the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, an estimated 68.5 million adults don’t have dental insurance.

 If you are one of those Americans without dental insurance, you may wonder what happens if you face a dental emergency. Needing urgent dental care without coverage can be intimidating. We’re here to help you figure out how to get emergency dental care without insurance.

With your Altogether Dental membership, you can get 15-50% off all dental procedures — unlimited usage; throughout the year. Every dental procedure is included with membership, such as: routine cleanings, fillings, X-rays, crowns, orthodontia, cosmetic procedures (whitening and veneers), braces, major dental procedures (like root canals) and so much more.

Need emergency dental but don’t have insurance? What to do next

What happens if you need an emergency dentist with no insurance? Cleveland Clinic suggests the following tips to ease your pain until you can see a dentist:

• Dull toothache? Rinse your mouth with warm water.

• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.

• Use orthodontic wax to cover a small, sharp chip or crack in your tooth.

• Use dental floss to remove an object stuck between your teeth.

• Thoroughly rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution or antibacterial mouthwash. Then, apply pressure to the affected area using a piece of clean cotton gauze if you have a minor soft tissue injury.

You can then call dentists in your area to see if they offer low-cost payment options. But waiting until an emergency can be financially stressful. Remember, with Altogether Dental, you can save up to 50% on all dental procedures.

What is a dental emergency?

According to the American Dental Association, dental emergencies can be life-threatening and require immediate treatment to stop tissue bleeding, alleviate severe pain or infection and treat any trauma to the face or airway.

Cleveland Clinic encourages a visit to the nearest emergency department (ED) if your dentist or emergency dental clinic is closed and you find yourself in an emergency dentist no insurance situation. ED doctors can assess you and prescribe antibiotics, if necessary.

What can you expect when you walk-in for a dental emergency at a clinic?​

If there is an emergency dental walk, same day emergency dental or urgent care dental office near you, those might be your best options for immediate dental care. While it can be hard to find an emergency dentist no insurance, some practices might be willing to take walk-ins.

According to the ADA, emergency and same-day clinics provide immediate care for urgent dental issues requiring prompt attention. You might try calling the dentist because some practices might have after-hours numbers for emergencies. Urgent dental care conditions require prompt attention to relieve intense pain and reduce infection risks, according to the ADA.

How to get emergency dental care without insurance

When you fall into the emergency dentist no insurance category, dental emergencies are even more frightening. WebMD offers these suggestions for care:

• Dental schools

• Public dental clinics

• Free dental clinics

• Government coverage, such as Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Here’s another option to consider: Sign up for a dental savings plan. Dental savings plans are membership-based programs that offer discounts on dental services at participating dentists.

We help thousands of members each year save money on emergency dental services. For example, if you need a tooth extraction, members save an average of $124. Take a look at how one member described how she used her membership in a dental emergency.

Dental savings plans as an alternative to insurance

Dental savings plans are a cost-effective way to get the dental care you need. As an Altogether Dental member, here are a few benefits you’ll enjoy:

• Lower costs: With Altogether Dental, you’ll enjoy discounts of 15-50% on all dental procedures — everything from cleanings, fillings, orthodontia, dentures and more.

• No waiting periods: Discounts are made available immediately upon enrollment.

• No annual maximums: There are no annual limits on the amount of discounts you can receive.

• Flexibility: Our partnership with Aetna gives you access to 260,000+ choices of in-network general and specialty care dentists.

Common emergency dental procedures

According to Cleveland Clinic, dental emergencies include:

• Severe toothache

• Badly cracked tooth

• Knocked-out tooth

• Partially dislodged tooth

• Dental abscess or swelling of your face and jaw

• Lost or broken dental restoration

• Severe soft tissue injury

If you find yourself in a situation like this, you want the best emergency dentist near me. Or better yet: Search Altogether Dental’s network of 260,000+ choices of in-network general and specialty care dentists to find one today.

At Altogether Dental, we believe everyone deserves a smile they’re proud to show off. That’s why we make dental care more accessible through our membership program. Keep in mind that on a national average, Altogether Dental members save 15-50% on services. 

Sources:

CareQuest | Uninsured and in need

Cleveland Clinic | Dental emergencies

American Dental Association | What constitutes a dental emergency?

WebMD | Low cost dental care