How to Get Free Dental Implants: Understanding the Reality of Programs and Charities

Explore various programs, financing options, and tips for affordable dental care

Searching for truly free dental implants can be challenging, as the procedure’s high cost often makes this option unrealistic. However, there are ways to significantly reduce expenses through low-cost alternatives and assistance programs.

This article explores realistic solutions for affordable dental implants, focusing on resources available for veterans, senior citizens, and individuals with low incomes. Let’s dive into the best strategies to make dental implants more accessible.

Check out our dental financing article for more information on paying for your dental care.

How to Get Free Dental Implants: Myths, Facts, and Alternatives

While the idea of getting free dental implants may seem appealing, it’s important to understand that, due to the high costs involved in the procedure, truly “free” dental implants are rarely available.

Many programs and organizations that claim to offer free implants are either unrealistic or only provide limited assistance. In this article, we’ll debunk common myths and explore realistic alternatives that can help make dental implants more affordable for those in need.

Free Dental Implants for Low-Income Individuals: What You Need to Know

Some programs provide free or discounted dental implants for low-income individuals. Eligibility typically depends on income level, residency status, and specific health conditions. Start by gathering all necessary documents and applying through reputable programs such as Smiles for Everyone and Program B.

Smiles for Everyone

In partnership with Smile Brands Inc., Implant Direct, and DDS Lab, select patients in need receive dental implants free of charge through the Smiles for Everyone Implanting Inspiration program. This initiative offers a unique opportunity to restore smiles and improve quality of life for those who may otherwise not be able to afford dental implants.

Please note that only one implant per patient is provided under this program, and there are very few slots available. Selection is limited, and eligibility criteria apply.

Dental Lifeline Network

This organization has a program called Donated Dental Services, through which you may be eligible for free dental care if you meet certain eligibility requirements.

While the Dental Lifeline Network offers various dental services for those in need, it is not entirely clear if dental implants are included in their offerings. It is advisable to reach out to the network directly for more specific information regarding the availability of implants.

To apply, make sure you meet eligibility requirements, and check to see if there are programs with openings in your state here. Complete the application and if you are placed on the waiting list, you will receive a postcard in the mail with instructions on how to submit additional information. If your application is accepted, you will be contacted by a DDS coordinator.

If you’re one of the 41% of adults with medical and dental bills building up, or you’re at risk of becoming one, you may be wondering how to find free dental implants.

Trying to find free dental implants for seniors

While there are various programs and resources available for seniors seeking affordable dental care, we haven’t been able to find any verifiable programs that offer 100% free dental implants. Many organizations provide discounts or partial assistance, but fully covered implants are rare.

It’s important for seniors to explore local dental programs, charity organizations, and government assistance to find the best options for reducing dental implant costs.

If you are over 55 and need free dental implants, one option you can look into is the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). This is a home and community-based program that helps older adults who are eligible for nursing home care continue living in their communities.

As part of this effort, PACE may also help pay for services, like implants, that Medicaid and Medicare don’t cover in your state or under your plan. You can find out if there is a PACE program in your state by visiting their website.

Free dental implants for veterans?

• Smile Veteran: The AAID Foundation launched the Smile, Veteran!™ program to provide U.S. veterans the opportunity to meet with an AAID-credentialed dentist and receive dental implants at little to no cost. This program aims to honor those who have served our country by helping restore their smiles.
  • Please Note: The AAID Foundation is no longer accepting patient applications for the Smile, Veteran!™ Program for 2024. The application process will reopen in July 2025. Interested veterans should check back at https://www.aaid.com/smile-veteran.
• VA dental care: The VA does provide dental benefits including coverage for implants (but not free implants) to some veterans, so if you are a vet, you should go to their website to find out if you qualify. However, due to their strict eligibility rules, many veterans are not eligible for dental coverage from the VA. The eligibility criteria include:
  • Having a service-connected dental disability or condition for which you receive monthly compensation
  • Being a former POW
  • Having one or more service-connect disabilities rated 100% disabling
  • Are unemployable and receive disability compensation at the 100% disabling rate, because of service-related conditions
  • Having served on active duty for 90 days or more during the Persian Gulf War
  • There are a few more criteria that might make you eligible. You can have a look at the rest at the VA’s website.

Other resources to try

While it’s unlikely that any of these options will provide 100% free dental implants, there are several resources that may offer significant discounts or partial assistance to help reduce the cost of your dental care. Here are a few potential avenues to explore:

• Clinic programs: Some dental clinics offer free dental implants as a way to help other dentists train to be implantologists. One such clinic is the California Implant Institute. [Jump to video].
• Community health centers: You can go to your local community health center to ask if they have local resources for free dental implants and dental care. Find yours here.
• Local health department: Provides up-to-date information on reputable organizations vetted by local government agencies. Find yours here.
• Dental schools: Dental schools often offer discounted or free care provided by supervised dental students. Find an ADA-accredited school.
• Medicaid: Medicaid is government-funded healthcare for those under the Federal Poverty Level. Coverage varies by state, and it will only cover implants if considered medically necessary. Read our full guide to Medicaid dental coverage.
• Cheaper full-mouth implants: Consider All-on-4 implants or G4 by Golpa if you need many teeth replaced.
• Cosmetic dentistry grants: Read more about grants for dentistry in our full article here

Patient testimonials and free dental implant clinics in action

In the video below you can see Doctor Hurst explain how his clinic is able to provide free dental implants by providing a training program for interested dentists.

Dr. Steve Hurst explains how the California Implant Institute can offer free dental implants! Go to HurstDentalCare.com and navigate to the free implants tab for more information. You are also welcome to call our office at (858)560-9696 to schedule a CT scan!

Next, we’ll have a look at Mark’s patient testimonial. Mark, 45, had a failed crown and a cracked tooth and two extractions, and heard about the free dental implants program from the California Implant Institute from a coworker. He called the Institute to do some research, and was invited down for a complementary evaluation.

The implant surgery actually happened in Mexico. That’s because the dentist who put his implants in was a Mexican dentist who likes to do continuing education to stay up to US dental standards. He was finally able to address his dental problems and get his dental health under control, and he’s very happy with his treatment. Check out his full testimonial below:

A happy patient describes his experience receiving free implants. Licensed dentists place implants at no cost to patient as they receive advanced continuing education credits. www.freeimplants.org

Other ways to finance your care

If you simply can’t find resources for free dental implants near you, don’t worry, you aren’t out of options yet. You may be able to save money on dental implants with dental financing options, the most common of which you can find in the table below.

Let’s do a quick summary of the financing options:

• Dental insurance: Helps cover part of your treatment costs. Dental insurance usually only covers. up to 50% of your treatment, and depending on your plan you may have to pay high out-of-pocket costs. If you have dental insurance, you should call your company to see if implants are covered by your plan. But if you have a comprehensive plan and pay a higher monthly premium, it may be that your costs are minimal. Read more about the best dental insurance plans in the US, or compare dental insurance plans now.
• Dental loans: Taking out a personal dental loan is another way to pay for treatment if you can’t afford it upfront. If you do take out a loan, before you commit, make sure you’ll be able to pay it back in time, because many loans have interest rates that increase as time goes on. Get a loan for dental work.
• Dental savings plans: With savings/discount plans, you pay a yearly fee and in return, you get discounted dental work. Find out more about lowering your dental costs in our dental discount plan article.
• Dental tourism: For the most expensive treatments, you may want to travel to a country where the quality of care is high, but the costs are lower. If this interests you, you can find out more in our guide to dental tourism. Especially if you live near Mexico, this can be a viable option. Find affordable dental care abroad by filling in the form below.

You can also compare the best dental insurance plans for dental implants in your area now! Enter your zip code and DOB below to get your free quote.

Conclusion

Whether you are missing one tooth, or all of your teeth, getting those teeth replaced is really important for not only your dental health but your overall wellbeing as well.

Most dentists agree that the best way to replace teeth is with implants, because they actually replace the roots of your missing teeth, making it the closest thing to having your natural teeth (which of course, if possible, is always the best option).

The problem with this is that implants are exorbitantly priced, especially in the United States. For those reasons, we encourage you to take a close look at all of the options presented in this article for finding free implants, including free dental implant programs, dental schools, and implant medical trials.

Look for reputable services and avoid places that make too-good-to-be true offers, like $399 dental implants. To avoid such scams, you should ensure your dentist has additional training in the placement of dental implants.

There are a lot of ways you can save, so have a look at the table below for a summary of some of the best ways, and read about more ways to find a cheap dentist without insurance.

FAQs

Can I get help paying for dental implants?

It can be difficult to find the solution that best fits your financial needs, but with the following tips, you may very well be able to get help paying the cost for your dental implants.

• See if there’s a dental insurance plan that you can afford that covers them
• Find out if you’re eligible for Medicaid, and if dental work is covered in your state
• Look for charities and nonprofits that have free dental implant programs
• If you are a vet, check to see if you are eligible for dental services through the VA
• Check dental schools in your area to see if they offer free treatment
• Participate in a clinical trial
• Go abroad for dentistry
• Find out if a dental plan can help

How can I find pro bono dental implants near me?

To find pro bono dental implants near you, you can call or visit your local community health center, call your local dentist, or follow the other tips and steps mentioned above.

How do I get dental work done for free?

Free dental work is available, although you will most likely have to do some thorough searching. There are several starting points for your search that you should consider. Begin by visiting your local Community Health Center, because they will most likely be able to point you in the right direction if they themselves don’t offer any free clinics.

Other options include participating in clinical trials and getting work done at a dental school.

Will Medicaid pay for free dental implants for low-income?

Whether or not Medicaid pays for your dental implants will depend on the state you live in. That’s because each state gets to decide which benefits will be covered by Medicaid. You’ll have to go to your state’s website, or call your state’s Medicaid agency to find out if they will cover dental work including implants.

Can veterans get free dental implants?

The VA is required to provide benefits for veterans, but only in some cases does that include dental. In order to be eligible for dental benefits through the VA you have to meet certain requirements. These include but are not limited to:

• Receiving 100% disability due to having service-related injuries
• Being a former Prisoner of War

To see exactly what benefits you are entitled to, you can go to the VA website. If you aren’t eligible for VA dental, they may suggest that you sign up for an insurance plan. If the plan offered is too expensive, you’ll want to consider the other options mentioned above.