Uninsured dental care in Portland, OR

June 26, 2024 11:25 AM

So, through a SNAFU involving both bureaucratic weirdness (i.e. my health insurance provider changing the online payment system and also somehow separating the payment systems for medical and dental premiums) and my own procrastination, I don't have dental insurance. I'm also overdue for getting my teeth cleaned (see above procrastination.) Years ago, I went to a dental training school for that and I think that's probably the best option now.

Is that right? My google-fu is failing me, so help finding the dental training school options would be helpful. I'm not low-income, just uninsured, so if low income is a requirement for receiving care at a clinic, it's not the right option for me. Also, maybe I should get some other dental insurance instead? Or do something else?

posted by overglow to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

You can buy private dental insurance really easily! Not sure how long you have to pay premiums before you can get a cleaning covered but most plans are like ~$30 a month.
posted by forkisbetter at 11:42 AM on June 26

Dental insurance barely deserves the name "insurance". It's a subscription you pay to get a discount on the first $X of your annual dental expenses at a handful of providers. Call the dentist you would like to see and ask them for the cash price for teeth cleaning. Many will give you a discount just for not making them deal with insurers.
posted by caek at 11:48 AM on June 26 [4 favorites]

The Oregon Dental Association (part of the ADA) has low-cost options on their website. The main Dental School is at OHSU, but if you just need a cleaning, there are a few hygienist schools around too.
posted by hydra77 at 12:05 PM on June 26

In support of what caek said, this Vox article and this Consumer Reports piece. The CR article has links and ideas on how to save $$ for dental care.
posted by SomethinsWrong at 12:10 PM on June 26 [1 favorite]

Mount Hood Community College has a free dental hygiene clinic through its dental hygiene program: https://www.mhcc.edu/community-resources/dental-hygiene-clinic
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 12:29 PM on June 26

I'm pretty sure teeth cleaning is $75 at my dentist if paid out of pocket. It's like getting a haircut: just make an appointment, show up, get service, pay.
posted by flimflam at 12:02 AM on June 27 [1 favorite]