Low-cost Dental Care

Whether you are of low socio-economic status or just a price conscious individual, you know that dental care is not cheap. You may be suffering from dental pain right now in desperate need of treatment with no way to pay for it. Many people have found ways to deal with this dilemma by using free or at least low-cost resources. These resources may vary depending on where you live.

The following are resources to help you find low cost dental care within your area:

Dental Schools

Dental schools can be a very valuable resource for those seeking low cost dental care. There may be longer wait times and multiple visits, and although you may be treated by a student, they are under strict supervision of professionals. Another benefit to going to a dental school is that 4^th year dental students must past a board certification which requires patients. If you qualify to be a patient you may get free services or may even get paid for you willingness to volunteer. Follow this link to see what accredited dental schools are found in your state

Dental schools by state

Federally Funded Community Health Centers

The Health Resources and Service Administration has a division called the Bureau of Primary Health Care that is dedicated to supporting community health centers that provide free or low-cost services. Many provide dental services and can be a valuable resource to those having difficulty finding access to care. Follow this link to see what community Health Centers are found in state:

Community Health Centers by State

Federally Funded low income health care programs

Medicare

Medicare is a health insurance program for those who are 65 years or older

Learn More...

Medicaid

Medicaid is a health insurance program for those who are under age 21, but depending on the state may have limited to comprehensive coverage for those 21 and older

Learn More...

SCHIP

SCHIP is a health insurance program for children up to age 19. Dental services may vary according to state.

Learn More...

State Organizations

Check with your state dental association for local opportunities and events that may be providing free or low-cost dental care in you area. The ADA has a good listing of each state dental association along with contact information for each.

Dental Associations by State

Clinical Trials

If you don’t mind being a guinea pig you can often find clinical trials that offer incentives for volunteering. Clinicaltrials.gov is a good place to check for opportunities.

References:

http://www.nidcr.nih.gov Fact sheet

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/

Cheaters Never Prosper

Federal authorities have indicted two Louisiana State University dental students on charges of submitting fraudulent transcripts and test results to gain admission to the school and receive more than $75,000 in financial aid.Read more.

Dentistry and Sports?

With the NBA Finals going on I thought it might be nice to take a look at how Dentistry works its way into the world of sports. Check out this article and read how one dentist was influential in helping Kobe Bryant come back for the win in 2002....

Click here for the article

2008-2009 ASDOH Catalog

Click the link below to access the 08-09 ASDOH Catalog. It has tons of helpful information about how things are run at ASDOH. If your looking for a list of courses for each year, time off, etc you can find it here.

Click here

Evidence Based Dentistry

In this month's edition of the Journal of the American Dental Association Dr. Richard Niederman, the director of the Center for Evidence-based Dentistry, raises a good question:

"I know of no dentist who believes that he or she does not practice evidence-based dentistry. And I, in turn, believe these dentists. A critical question for all dentists, however, is this: do they practice evidence-based dentistry on the basis of the BEST CURRENT EVIDENCE?"

Well as of this month dental professionals have a new reliable source for getting systematic unbiased up-to-date reviews of the volumes of "current evidence" out there. Let me introduce to you...your new friend:

 

 "EBD.ADA.ORG." 

 Below you'll see a screen shot of the site. If you're smart, and I know you are, you'll take a second to explore it, book mark it, and set a goal to start reading it regularly. But for now let me just tell you--Don't underestimate how important this site will become to you as you strive to keep up to date with a rapidly growing profession. They've done all the work for you, which mean's only one thing--less time wading through clinical trial reports and more time getting down to business as the thriving well-informed dentist you want to be.

Click on the site below and check it out!

 

Clinicians Report? Sign me up!

This evening I attended a short seminar for dental students sponsored by Clinicians Report at the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry. Wow! Words cannot describe that place. If you are ever in Scottsdale you have to go by there for a short tour. For now check out their website. They have a video tour that sums up things quite nicely--no where near the "experience" of going there though.

Here is the original invite that I received (click to enlarge):

I have to say I was a little reluctant to drive all the way out to Scottsdale for a 2 hour event on a school night just for free pizza. However, when I arrived at the center…the reluctance quickly vanished. I was so impressed with the facility and the speakers were phenomenal. I had heard a little about Dr. Gordon Christensen at BYU where I did my undergrad. His name always seemed to come up at the pre-dental club meetings. I think they had access to his videos in the club, but I never went to watch them and I didn’t really know what the fuss was all about. It was so nice to actually meet him though and be taught for a moment by such a renowned dental authority. He truly was a treat to listen to and was very personable and friendly to all who attended (great sense of humor too).

The take home message of the night was that the field of dentistry is constantly changing and it is changing even more rapidly as we head into the future years to come. Of course several plugs were given for subscribing to clinicians report as a way to address those future changes. You can go to the website to find out more about it. Basically it’s a “no BS” report for dentists to get valuable advice on emerging and current dental materials, products, equipment, etc. It’s a quick way to see the truth of what’s out there worth buying without wading through the biased marketing of the million and one companies out there that flood your offices with free journals, ads, salesman, twisted statistics, and promises of a new and better product. You may not know this but this organization, Clinicians Report, is a world class foundation. They really have done phenomenal things for the field of dentistry. There is a lot of volunteer work that goes on behind the scenes and it is a non-profit organization. They’ve tried to do everything possible to take out self interest and any form of bias with their report.

While we were there we scored some sweet Papa Johns pizza as well as free subscription to Clinicians report all through dental school and in to our first year of practice. I believe Dr. Child said that the subscription was $95-$150 a year. To me that’s a steal for what you’re getting and all the time and resources you are saving to generate an informed opinion on the dental material you want to use. They definitely have me sold!

Here’s a couple of the websites that were discussed tonight.

This picture right here is obviously the past and future great minds of Dentistry….haha

Left to right—Stephen Adam, Gordon Christensen, Dustin Webb, Steven Prince

In the Auditorium

Left to right—Steven P, Stephen A, Brad D, Terah A, Dwayne G, Trent B.

ASDOH Clinical Rotations

You've probably heard that here at ASDOH we have the opportunity to participate in community-based clinical rotations in our 4th year. I'm actually pretty excited about it because I think it will be a great chance to get out and see what's being done in the public health sector. I think its important for any dentist to contribute time and resources to the underserved. I'm not sure where the road will take me when I graduate dental school, but where ever I end up I want to volunteer on a regular bases at a community-based clinic where I can provide care for the underserved. So these clinical rotations will be a great chance to prepare for that sort of thing.

The logistics of each rotation vary greatly as to location, lodging, work performed, duration, etc. Its my understanding though that most of the rotations average about 6 weeks. As far as location goes, ASDOH has a dynamic list of sites that students can choose from. The school makes every attempt to connect the student with their top picks from the list. Also another option for the student is to help instigate a new location if for example there is not one in their home town or other desired location. I have listed below the current clinical rotation sites, but again...this list is constantly changing. Hope this helps!

Site Name	City	ST
Yukon Kushkokwim Health Corportation	Bethel	AK
ASDOH Clinical and Educational Outreach	Mesa	AZ
CASS Homeless Shelter Dental Clinic	Phoenix	AZ
Clinica Adelante	Buckeye	AZ
Coconino County Dental Clinic	Flagstaff	AZ
Desert Mission Children's Dental Clinic	Phoenix	AZ
El Rio Community Health Center	Tucson	AZ
Hopi Health Care Clinic	Polacca	AZ
Maricopa Integrated Health System	Phoenix	AZ
Mariposa Community Health Center	Nogales	AZ
Mountain Park Community Health Center	Phoenix	AZ
Native Health	Phoenix	AZ
North Country Community Health Center	Flagstaff	AZ
Pascua Yaqui Dental Clinic	Tucson	AZ
Sage Memorial Hospital	Ganado	AZ
Salt River/ Phoenix Indian Medical Center Indian Health Services	Scottsdale	AZ
San Carlos Indian Hospital Dental Clinic	San Carlos	AZ
Sells Service Unit Dental Program	Sells	AZ
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Clinic	Tucson	AZ
St. Vincent DePaul	Phoenix	AZ
Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation	Tuba City	AZ
VAMC Phoenix (Carl T. Hayden)	Phoenix	AZ
Winslow Indian Health Care Center	Winslow	AZ
Asian Health Services	Oakland	CA
Clinica Sierra Vista	Bakersfield	CA
North County Health Services	San Marcos	CA
San Benito Health Foundation	Hollister	CA
UCSD Student Run Free Dental Clinic	San Diego	CA
Marillac Clinic	Grand Junction	CO
Summit Community Care Clinic	Frisco	CO
Sunrise Community Health Center - Greeley	Greeley	CO
Valley Wide Health Systems	Alamosa	CO
Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida	Fort Meyers	FL
Tampa Family Health Centers	Tampa	FL
Benewah Medical Center - Coeur D' Lane Tribe	Plummer	ID
Indiana Health Centers, Inc.	South Bend	IN
SWLA Louisiana Primary HCC, Inc.	Opelousas	LA
Teche Action Clinic	Franklin	LA
Hilltown Community Health Center	Worthington	MA
Choptank Community Health System - Federalsburg	Federalsburg	MD
Community Dental Clinic - Biddeford	Biddeford	ME
Community Dental Clinic - Lewiston	Lewiston	ME
Community Dental Clinic - Portland	Portland	ME
Community Dental Clinic - Rumford	Rumford	ME
Katahdin Valley Health Center	Millinocket	ME
Penobscot Community Health Center	Bangor	ME
VAMC Augusta (Togus)	Augusta	ME
SEMO Health Network	Sikeston	MO
Butte Community Health Center	Butte	MT
Community Health Partners Dental Practice	Bozeman	MT
Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe	St. Ignatius	MT
Partnership Health Center	Missoula	MT
Riverstone Health Clinic	Billings	MT
Hidalgo Medical Services	Lordsburg	NM
Health Access Washoe County	Reno	NV
Community Action Agency of Columbiana County	Lisbon	OH
Cherokee Nation	Tahlequah	OK
Horizon Health Care, Inc.	Howard	SD
Community Health Centers of South Central Texas	Gonzales	TX
Community Health Development	Uvalde	TX
Community Health Center - Salt Lake City	Salt Lake City	UT
Utah Navajo Health System, Inc	Montezuma Creek	UT
Columbia Basin Health Association	Othello	WA
Community Health Association of Spokane	Spokane	WA
Family Health Centers - Okanogan	Okanogan	WA
HealthPoint - Auburn	Auburn	WA
HealthPoint - Kent	Kent	WA
Roger Saux Health Center, Quinault Indian Nation	Talolah	WA
Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic - Ellensburg	Toppenish	WA
Chippewa Valley Technical College	Eau Claire	WI
Marshfield Clinic	Marshfield	WI
Eastside Community Dental Center

Feedback on the Wellness Fair

On behalf of your Student Government Association, I would like to thank all of the ATSU students, faculty, staff and community members who helped to make the2^nd Free Family Health & Wellness Day a success.

Over 150 volunteers joined forces to improve the health of 787 of our underserved Chandler neighbors last Saturday (increased from 551 last year = 43%!). Thank you for your generosity, thoughtfulness and compassion.

Brock Lorenz, President

Student Government Association

A.T. Still University Arizona Campus

PASS

PASS is the ADEA Postdoctoral Application Support Service. This service is available to all individuals applying to postdoctoral dental education programs participating in the application service. ADEA PASS is basically the "AADSAS" for post doctoral programs and they actually have a great search engine for locating specialty programs (including AEGD's and GPR's). Its nice because you can search by state or by type of program. For example, I'm interested in maybe doing an AEGD back in my homeland in the state of WA. According to this resource it looks like there is only one AEGD Residency in WA right now and its called Northwest Dental Residency. I've provided a link to their actual website as well as a link to ADEA's info on them.

Northwest Dental Residency

ADEA Fact Sheet

2nd Annual Free Family Health and Wellness Day

Today I took part in the 2nd Annual Free Family Health and Wellness Day held at San Marcos Elementary School in Chandler, AZ. Here is the info that was put up on the A. T. Still University Events Web page

A.T. Still University Free Family Health & Wellness Day

This annual event is held every February and hosted by the ATSU-Arizona Student Government Association in collaboration with the San Marcos Family Resource Center/Elementary School in Chandler, AZ.

The event is designed so that all students and faculty from each ATSU program can contribute towards providing healthcare for thousands of our under-served community members. Our list of provided services includes physical examinations, audiology screenings, fluoride varnish applications, mouth guard fabrication, health-related instruction, and many more.

Mission: 
To establish a community partnership where ATSU students, healthcare professionals, ATSU faculty and under-served community members learn from one another by providing health-related services.

Date: 
Saturday February 21st, 2009, 8:00am – 2:00pm

Location: 
Chandler Unified School District
San Marcos Family Resource Center (Elementary School)
451 W Frye Road (corner of W Frye Rd and S Arizona Ave)
Chandler, AZ 85225 
 
View Larger Map

San Marcos Contact:
Susan Horan, 602-818-8792 (cell)
horan.susan@chandler.k12.az.us

ATSU Contact:
Brock Lorenz
President, Student Government Association 
A.T. Still University Mesa Campus
619-804-8339 (cell)
blorenz@atsu.edu

Media Contact:

ATSU Communications & Marketing Office
480-219-6000

Services Provided:

• Audiology screenings (AUD)
• Balance assessment for geriatrics (PT)
• Sensory screening (PT)
• Ergonomics (PT)
• How to wear a backpack correctly (PT)
• Mouth guards for sports (Dental)
• Fluoride varnish application for teeth (Dental)
• Blood pressure and pulse readings (Various)
• Nutrition, exercise, healthy living information (Any)
• Eye exam/vision testing (Various)
• Physicals (PAs)
• Hip to weight ratio and obesity information (PTs, DOs)
• Sealants for teeth
• Children’s Balance and Play Activities (PT)

The following are some pictures I shot with my 2 megapix Camera phone. Not the best quality, but here they are none the less.

Service with a Smile! (Steven Prince and I)

This is Cassidy. She was my first Fluoride Varnish Patient. She was very cooperative and opened really wide for me. Leah walked me through how to do it. Basically you dry the patient's mouth with a 2x2 gauze and then open the varnish/brush packet, mix the varnish a little and apply to all the occlusal surfaces (focusing on the pits and fissures) and also lightly coat the buccal and lingual surfaces as well. The patient is then instructed to not brush or eat any crunchy foods for the rest of the day and that the teeth will be discolored until they are brushed the next day.

This is Ashley. She was my first impression patient. She was also very cooperative. Jess helped coach me through it as well as this other guy, I think his name was Dave.

This is Tom, a D3 who along with Dr. El Gendy ran the mouthguard operation. I helped out for the majority of the time at this station. First the trays were "painted" with adhesive. Then the alginate was mixed up and placed in the tray. Then the impression was taken in the patients mouth and held for about 3 minutes. After removing the tray from the patients mouth, a cast was then made by pouring stone over at the vibrator machine(to reduce air bubbles). The cast was then layed out on the table to set. Once set the cast was carved back a little with a buffalo knife in order to remove the cast from the impression material.  Once free the cast was put on the mouth guard machine which heated the plastic and then dropped it over the cast using force as well as vacuum power.  The mouth guard was then cut around the gingival line of the teeth with a heated buffalo knife. The knives were heated with alcohol burners. 

A few tips that we all picked up were:

-Don't get your stone mix to runny...it will make for a weaker cast and will be prone to fracture

-Make sure that you don't let the patient wiggle too much...it throws off the impression (obviously)

-Heat the buffalo knife in the blue part of the flame and it will heat up more, the yellow part merely turns the knife black but doesn't heat it well

Don't leave a mouthguard machine unattended: The plastic will melt down over everything eventually and make a huge mess.

Another thing that I got to do was use my Spanish to direct those who didn't speak English. It was good practice. Actually the large majority of patients who attended the wellness fair were of Spanish-speaking background.

Overall it was a great experience. It not only was a great chance to serve in the community but gave the dental and medical students a chance to sharpen our skills and work with real people. Truly a successful day!