Low-Cost Dental Services

For more information about each clinic, see our detailed chart. It includes what dental services are offered and the income limit for their discount or sliding scale fee. Our PDF document does not fully comply with all applicable guidelines for accessible digital documents. For alternative formats, call us at 1-800-917-7787.

Download the more detailed dental clinics chart [PDF file].

Medicaid (Green Mountain Care)

• Ages 1 – 21 and Pregnant Women with Medicaid or Dr. Dynasaur: Medicaid covers preventative dental visits, x-rays, treatments, restorations, oral surgery and orthodontics. Most special dental procedures need prior authorization from your dentist. There is no limit on how many services you can get each year. Covered services are free if you use a Medicaid dentist.
• Adults: Medicaid covers two cleanings and two preventative exams each year for free. Medicaid also covers x-rays, fillings and other services up to $1,500 each calendar year. Medicaid does not cover dentures. You may need prior authorization for some dental services. You need to use a dentist who accepts Medicaid. You will pay a $3 copay for each dental visit.

If you have Medicaid and need to find a Medicaid dentist, you can find dentists on the Vermont Medicaid website by searching “General Dentistry” under “Specialties.”

If you do not have Medicaid and want to know if you might qualify, call the Office of the Health Care Advocate for help: 1-800-917-7787.

VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP)

If you are a veteran enrolled in the Veterans Administration (VA) health care system and a CHAMPVA beneficiary, you can buy dental insurance at a lower cost through VADIP. Signing up does not change your eligibility for Veteran Health Administration dental services. VADIP plans are offered through Delta Dental (1-855-370-3303) or MetLife (1-888-310-1681).

Northeast Delta Dental (NEDD)

NEDD sells private dental insurance plans in Vermont. You can buy one of their five plans directly through NEDD at any time of year. You can buy a NEDD plan through Vermont Health Connect, but only during the open enrollment period in the fall or if you have a special enrollment period during the year. The five plans sold directly through NEDD have different premiums (monthly cost) and cost-sharing (what you pay and what the plan pays for a service). All of the plans have a plan maximum; this is the most that NEDD will pay for your services each year. For example, the plan might only pay for $1,250 in services each year. Some of the plans cover dentures and orthodontic treatments.

Explore plans online or call Northeast Delta Dental to ask about the plans they sell in Vermont: 1-800-832-5700.

Here are some other ways you can pay for dental care:

General Assistance Voucher: If you have dental pain, infection or bleeding and your income is low, you may be able to get a General Assistance voucher. This can pay for tooth extractions. Set up an appointment with a dentist first. Then go to your local Vermont Economic Services Division (ESD) District Office to apply for the voucher. If you have Medicaid, you might not need to go to ESD for the voucher. Ask your dentist.)

Area Agencies on Aging: If you are age 60 or older, or if you are living with a disability and under age 60, the Area Agencies on Aging may have financial help for dentures or other dental work. Call 1-800-642-5119.

Dental Lifeline Network: This resource is for people who are:

• age 65 and older, or
• under age 65 who have a disability determination from Social Security, or
• require medically necessary dental care.

You must have no means to pay for the care. If you have insurance, you must use the insurance first. You can apply to get services from a volunteer dentist who is part of the network. Visit the Dental Lifeline Network website or call 802-829-3376.

The Independence Fund: The Independence Fund through Opportunities Credit Union gives affordable loans to help you buy assistive equipment, including dentures. Call 802-495-0680.

Gifford Medical Center Affordable Care Program: This program can give financial help for dental care to people who live in central Vermont and the Upper Valley, and sometimes to people who live outside of that area. They give referrals to dentists and have some money for emergency dental care. Visit the Gifford website or call 802-728-2323.

Valley Health Connections: This program helps people apply for Springfield Medical Care Systems Dental Financial Assistance through the Ludlow and Chester dental clinics. They also have financial help for dental care for Springfield Medical Care Systems patients if funds are available. Visit the Valley Health Connections website or call 802-885-1616.

Ottauquechee Health Foundation: Good Neighbor Grants can help pay for dental care for people with low income who live in Barnard, Bridgewater, Hartland, Killington, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, Woodstock or the Village of Quechee. Visit the OHF website to apply or call 802-457-4188.

Dental Restorative Days: The Vermont Dental Hygienists’ Association has dental restorative days for the general public. Services may include fillings, crowns, bridges, implants and dentures. They will see what you need, take x-rays and create a treatment plan. Visit the VDHA website or call 802-870-0340 to learn about their next event.