Articles

Dentists That Accept No Insurance

Posted on by Heather Knaplund

From Spokane to Vancouver, wherever you live in the state of Washington, get help finding a dentist, whether you have insurance or not

If you’re a resident of Washington state looking for dentists that accept no insurance coverage, we can help.

Not having any dental insurance can make finding a dentist stressful. It can be frustrating to look up individual dentist offices, call each one, and then find out their policies for patients without insurance. But if you live in Washington, DentistLink, a no-cost referral service, can be your assistant in your search. Through our free online search tool and in-person referral line, we help people in Washington state find the dentist that is right for them, even if you don’t have dental insurance.

We’ve also got tips for other ways to ease your search for a dental care provider that accepts no insurance. Read on for more on finding your new dentist.

DentistLink is a great tool to help you find a dentist

You’re reading this article on the DentistLink.org website, which provides a free referral service that will connect you with a local dentist or specialist who can provide oral health care, even if you have no dental insurance. As the headline says, DentistLink helps everyone, whether you have insurance or not. Just search on our website, or call or text our toll-free number, 844-888-5465.

On our home page, there are three options for finding a dentist who accepts no insurance:

  • Search for a dentist near me asks simple questions, including a reason for the visit, zip code, age, phone number and insurance status (in this case, “no insurance”). After you click search, you will see a list of dental offices, addresses and the distance from your zip code. When you click on the name, a phone number, map to their location and other information will appear. If you don’t get a list of dentists, you may need to adjust your search criteria under ‘advanced filters’ including how far you are willing to travel.
  • Call or text the DentistLink team to reach a member of the DentistLink referral specialist team at 844-888-5465 between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday, or leave a voice message any time and a referral specialist will contact you as soon as they can.
  • Have DentistLink contact me takes you to a form to fill out with the same basic information as in the search option, as well as whether you are looking for a dentist for yourself or someone else, how you’d like to be contacted, date of birth and whether you or the person you are searching for is pregnant or has diabetes. A referral specialist will then follow up with you with referral information for a dental office that meets your needs.

When you contact a DentistLink referral specialist, they can help you in a lot of ways. For example, the specialists speak both English and Spanish and can connect you to interpretive services for other languages if needed. They can also help you search for childcare and transportation providers to ensure you can get to your dental appointment.

Call a DentistLink specialist for a referral to a dentist that takes no insurance: 844-888-5465

Organizations who help people without dental insurance

DentistLink is operated by Arcora Foundation, the foundation of Delta Dental of Washington, so there is never a charge to use this referral service. Our goal is to help everyone receive the dental care they need. Our friendly referral team and online tools are here to assist everyone, whether they have insurance such as Medicaid (known in this state as Apple Health), or if they have no insurance at all.

It can be challenging to find a dentist that will provide care on a sliding scale if you don’t have dental insurance. However, there are free or sliding-scale options available to you if you don’t have dental insurance. See the side bar for examples from around the state of dentists that accept no insurance.

This list of providers is not intended to be comprehensive. It’s also important to understand that the availability of services from these and other providers may be limited based on when clinics are scheduled and other factors.

There are undoubtedly other dentists that accept no insurance around the state. One thing is clear from the list provided and from the fact that there are other providers –– you could spend a lot of time on your own trying to find a dentist that accepts no insurance near you and meets your other needs.

Or, you could use the DentistLink website or contact us at 844-888-5465 , to have a DentistLink referral specialist assist you and make the process much easier.

Search our directory for a dentist in your area that accepts patients with no insurance

Other statewide resources for those with no dental insurance

The Washington State Department of Health also has links to find dental care, such as Washington Information Network 2-1-1. This connects you to a searchable database where you can look for dental providers by city, county or zip code. This service is also used to search for all kinds of services to meet other needs, including emergency housing options, finding a job, paying utility bills, food, health insurance, drug and alcohol addiction services, tax preparation, and children in crisis.

The Washington Healthcare Access Alliance (WHAA) website includes a search function that enables you to search for free and low-cost clinics by county and type of healthcare, including dental.

Whatever method you choose to look for dental care, it’s important to realize that you have options to find dental care even if you don’t have dental insurance. It also may be the case that you qualify for insurance and are not aware of it. You can enroll in Apple Health insurance at any time, which includes dental coverage. The Washington Health Benefit Exchange provides comprehensive information on eligibility criteria, help in applying, coverage basics and other details of plans, financial help, and more. And the Washington State Health Care Authority, which administers the Apple Health program, provides detailed information about obtaining Apple Health and what dental benefits are covered if you qualify.

Dentists That Accept No Insurance by County

Benton County (Tri-Cities)

Grace Clinic (Kennewick)

Chelan County

Hope Care Clinic (Wenatchee)

Clark County

Free Clinic of Southwest Washington (Vancouver)

Battle Ground HealthCare (Battle Ground)

King County

Union Gospel Mission (Seattle)

HealthPoint Community Clinic (Auburn, Bothell, Federal Way Kent, Des Moines, Redmond, SeaTac, Tukwila)

Christ Community Free Clinic (Auburn)

Thurston County

Union Gospel Mission (Olympia)

Snohomish County

Community Health Center of Snohomish County (Arlington, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Everett)

Lahai Health Dental Clinic (Lynnwood)

Walla Walla County

SonBridge Dental Clinic (College Place)

Yakima County

Union Gospel Mission (Yakima)

This is not an exhaustive list of providers that offer free or sliding-scale dental services. Use our Find a Dentist tool to find the right dentist for you.

Find a Dentist

Why it’s important to find and utilize dental care

Dental care is important to maintain your health — not just in your mouth but your overall health. For example, routine dental visits can reduce other health risks by helping detect as many as 120 other diseases and medical conditions. These include diabetes, cardiovascular problems, HIV/AIDS, leukemia, Lou Gehrig’s disease, many oral cancers, respiratory illnesses, stress, anemia, hormonal issues and more.

Poor oral health including cavities and gum disease is linked to a number of these serious diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and pneumonia. Poor oral health can cause complications to pregnant women and their babies. And of course, cavities can be painful and can affect the ability to eat nutritious foods, get a good night’s sleep, perform well at work or in school, and so much more.

Don’t let not having dental insurance keep you from reaching out to find the dental care that can help improve your oral and overall health. DentistLink can help connect you to dentists that accept no insurance. Try out our online search tool to find a dentist yourself, or get help from one of our referral specialists (text or call us at 844-888-5465) or use our contact form, and we will assist you in finding a provider who will meet your oral health care needs.

Call or text the DentistLink team to find the right dentist for you: 844-888-5465

Dentists That Accept Apple Health

Posted on by Heather Knaplund

How to find a dental practice in your area taking new Apple Health patients

Finding dentists that accept Apple Health can be difficult. DentistLink is here to help everyone in Washington find the right dental practice to get essential oral health care. Operated by the Arcora Foundation, we provide a service that is free to use and assists people in Washington who have Apple Health, Washington state’s Medicaid program. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through several options for finding the right dentist for you who accepts Apple Health, including our own tools for finding Apple Health dentists.

The fact that you’ve landed on this article in your search for a dentist that takes Apple Health means you are significantly closer to achieving your goal! DentistLink is a non-profit referral service, and our tools are some of the best ways to connect with a local Medicaid dentist that takes Apple Health.

Call a DentistLink specialist for a referral to an Apple Health dentist in your area:

844-888-5465

Apple Health Covers a Wide Range of Dental Services

Apple Health covers quality dental and dental-related services for eligible adults and for eligible children age 20 and younger.

About one million adults across Washington state, and even more children, depend on Apple Health for their medical and dental coverage. While Apple Health covers most common dental procedures, in the last year only about 40 percent of the 2.1 million people in this state who are enrolled in Apple Health, and only 23 percent of adults, actually saw a dentist.

The Washington State Health Care Authority, which administers the state’s Apple Health program, provides a detailed description of all dental services covered by Apple Health. They include routine exams, cleaning, x-rays, fillings, fluoride application, extractions, and limited services such as root canals, dentures, oral surgery and care of gum disease.

Another helpful resource on the Heath Care Authority site explains specifically how to use your Apple Health coverage. This useful webpage goes through processes and questions for all areas that Apple Health covers, including dental care and how to use our services to find a dentist who accepts Apple Health. If you want to learn more about all the ways you can use your Apple Health coverage, you can use this page to read about topics such as care after hours, pharmacy/drug store usage, and emergency care.

Get Connected to Care with DentistLink

When using our referral services, you have options for how to use DentistLink to find dentists accepting Apple Health near you:

  1. You can use our Find a Dentist tool to find an available dentist near you.
  2. You can message a referral specialist online using our online form.
  3. You can call or text DentistLink at 844-888-5465. If you use the phone number, a DentistLink referral specialist will respond to your call or text and assist with the next steps in finding dentists that accept Apple Health.

Some people receive Apple Health coverage through a managed care plan such as AmeriGroup, Community Health Plan of Washington, Coordinated Care, Molina or United Health, and some of these managed care sites include links to use in searching for Apple Health dentists, but they tend to simply take you back to the Health Care Authority’s Find a Provider page. For example, Community Health Plan of Washington’s “find a dentist or oral surgeon” link and the Molina “find a provider” link on its Dental page take you back to the Health Care Authority’s Find a Provider page, which includes the direct link and phone number to contact DentistLink.

People who have tried using means other than DentistLink to find dentists that accept Apple Health have mentioned finding providers who either did not actually accept Apple Health, or who were not accepting new patients. This can be a long, frustrating process. Thankfully, finding the right dentist is easy when you utilize  DentistLink’s search tools or call us (844-888-5465).

To help make sure you find care that meets all your needs, DentistLink referral specialists have current information on dentists accepting both Apple Health and new patients.

On the DentistLink homepage you’ll see the three options we outlined above for using our services:

  1. Search for a dentist near me
  2. Call or text the DentistLink team
  3. Have DentistLink contact me

To use option #1 and search for a dentist near you by using the Find a Dentist directory, you will need to provide a reason for the visit, zip code, age, phone number and insurance status (Apple Health, no insurance, or cash discount/reduced fee). Then, you’ll receive a list of dental providers, their addresses, how far away they are from your zip code, and, if you click on their name, a phone number, map to their location and other information. All the dentists listed should take Apple Health and be accepting new patients.

If you choose option #2 to call or text, you may reach a member of the DentistLink referral specialist team directly between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday, or leave a voice message any time and a referral specialist will contact you as soon as available.

To contact a referral specialist online using Option #3, the form to fill out to have DentistLink contact you asks for basic information including whether you are looking for a dentist for yourself or someone else. It also asks for the patient’s name, how you’d like to be contacted (text or call), date of birth, zip code, reason for needing to see a dentist, whether the patient is pregnant or diabetic, and insurance status (Apple Health, other, or no insurance).

Using option #2 or #3 to contact a referral specialist provides you access to a number of additional services that can help in finding and visiting a dentist that accepts Apple Health and is right for you. After a few questions, including your age, location and reason for your dental visit, the referral specialist will connect you with a dental provider who fits your needs and location. The referral specialist can also connect you with additional assistance such as transportation or childcare providers.

Interpretation services are available when speaking with a DentistLink referral specialist. They speak English and Spanish, but other language assistance is also available. On the DentistLink website, a dropdown menu on the top right of every page can translate the text of the site into 100 different languages. DentistLink referral specialists also have access to translators able to help in about 300 languages.

DentistLink is powered and funded by Arcora Foundation, the foundation of Delta Dental of Washington, so there is never a charge to use this referral service. Patients, dentists and health care and social service organizations can all use DentistLink.

Search our directory for a dentist that takes Apple Health in your area

Why Accessing Dental Services Is So Important

Oral health is essential to your overall health. The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body, so you’re not healthy if your mouth isn’t healthy. For example, cavities and other aspects of poor oral health are linked to heart disease, diabetes and respiratory illnesses. Taking care of your teeth helps to keep your whole body healthy.

All children should see a dentist when their first baby tooth appears or by their first birthday. Poor oral health can affect a child’s performance in school and their ability to get a good night’s sleep, eat healthy, interact with other kids, and grow toward becoming a healthy adult. A recent study published in The Journal of Pediatrics confirmed the impact of dental disease on school performance. Children with poor or fair oral health were nearly 80 percent more likely to have problems in school and were 90 percent more likely to miss more than six days of school in a year than healthier children.

For adults, poor oral health, including tooth loss and gum disease, can affect work, the job search process, and getting good nutrition, and can increase the potential for serious illnesses that can be life threatening. Poor oral health also can lead to complications in pregnancy that can harm both the mother and the unborn child.

The good news is that oral disease is preventable! For people covered by Apple Health, finding dentists that accept Apple Health can help ensure access to the prevention and treatment needed to get and remain healthy. It can also keep patients out of hospital emergency rooms, where care is costly and usually limited to little more than temporarily managing pain.

Emergency room treatment may involve prescriptions for painkillers. When people are prescribed painkillers for dental pain, there can be negative outcomes, including kidney and liver diseases, the need for transplants, and additional ER visits due to ingestion/abuse of opioids.

If you have anxiety about seeing a dentist, or someone you’re attempting to help find a dentist who takes Apple Health is anxious about it, it’s not unusual. But the rewards of better health, and avoiding much higher costs and more intense pain from untreated dental problems, are certainly worth overcoming the anxiety.

There are steps you can take to help ease anxiety, such as relaxing and distracting exercises. Most important is to make sure your communicate your concerns to your dental provider, who can help build your confidence that your needs will be addressed.

All of us who have experienced dental pain know how debilitating it can be. No one should have to suffer with oral disease that is painful, harmful and almost completely preventable. Seeing a dentist enables you to get the prevention and early treatment that are so important in making sure dental problems don’t become more damaging, costly and dangerous. But you have to find a dentist who takes your insurance first. For the difficult task of finding dentists that accept Apple Health, DentistLink can help. Use our online search and contact tools, or text or call DentistLink at 844-888-5465, and a referral specialist will assist you in finding an Apple Health provider who will meet your oral health care needs.

Call or text the DentistLink specialists team to find the right dentist for you: 844-888-5465

Find a Medicaid Dentist Seattle

Posted on by Ally Butler

Tips, tricks, tools, and referral specialists – just for you, Seattle – to help you find a dentist taking Medicaid

We know it can be tough to find a Medicaid dentist Seattle. All across the country, it is not easy to find a dentist who take Medicaid, and our city is no exception. For many, the task of finding a Seattle dentist accepting new patients with Apple Health (Washington state’s Medicaid program) may feel near impossible. You may have consulted lists, like King County’s list of Medicaid dentists or the Washington State provider search tool, but found that many of the listings are now outdated. Or perhaps a dentist you used to see no longer accepts Medicaid. That’s why we have put together this guide for people in Seattle on how to use DentistLink tools and other resources to find the best Medicaid dentist for you and your family.

DentistLink is a free referral service for anyone in Washington state, specializing in helping people with Medicaid or with no dental coverage. Read on to learn how DentistLink can help you find the right Medicaid dentist Seattle has for your oral health needs and make the most of your Medicaid dental benefits.

Looking for a Seattle Medicaid dentist? Call or text DentistLink for a free referral:
844-888-5465

Helping thousands in Washington connect to dental care

Last year, DentistLink helped over 38,000 users in Washington state find the right dental care to meet their needs. Our knowledgeable referral specialists have up-to-date information on dental offices all across the state, including which ones are currently accepting patients with Medicaid in the Seattle area. These referral services are all free because DentistLink is fully funded by the foundation of Delta Dental of Washington (Arcora Foundation). DentistLink is also a partner of the Washington State Health Care Authority and is now the recommended way for Apple Health/Medicaid enrollees to find a dentist. Many people have found DentistLink to be a convenient, useful tool for finding the dental care they need to stay healthy. Says one satisfied DentistLink user:

“I was struggling to locate an affordable provider who would see the entire process through to a satisfactory result. Through DentistLink I was able to find a suitable provider and get dentures that fit properly. Now I can smile, talk, laugh and eat without worry.”

J., DentistLink user

Because of DentistLink, J. was able to get the affordable care she needed. That’s the power of our free, knowledgeable referral service!

DentistLink: One of the best ways to find a Medicaid dentist in Seattle

This DentistLink.org website and our toll-free number, 844-888-5465, provide quick and easy access to a dentist in Seattle who sees patients covered by Medicaid (Apple Health).

Calling or texting 844-888-5465 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday connects you to a referral specialist who can help find dentists in Seattle. You can also send a text to the same number, or call the number at other times to leave a voice message, and a referral specialist will contact you as soon as available.

The referral specialist will ask for your basic information to aid their search:

  • Your name.
  • Your age
  • Your reason for needing to see a dentist.
  • Your zip code.
  • Your insurance coverage (such as Medicaid / Apple Health)

Then, they will provide you with the name and contact information for a Medicaid dentist in Seattle who can set up an appointment to see you.

Using the search tool gives you the opportunity to fill out a brief form with the same information our referral specialists ask in the option above. Searching the directory will provide you the name of one or more Seattle dental providers, their addresses, and the distance from your zip code. Clicking on the dentist’s name will give you a phone number, map to their location and other information so you can set up an appointment. This search tool is available for anyone in Washington state to use 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

There is also the option of filling out a contact form to have a referral specialist contact you. You can complete this form for not just yourself, but also your spouse, parent, or child. Simply fill out basic contact information, the reason for the dental visit, and your Apple Health patient ID number (if you know it). Then, one of our referral specialists will do the search for you. When they contact you, they will be able to answer any questions you may have – and they will supply the name and contact information for a dentist in Seattle who takes Apple Health/Medicaid and who can meet your needs..

Our referral specialists speak both English and Spanish and have access to additional interpreter services if another language is needed. They can also refer you to childcare providers and transportation services to help make sure you can get to your dental appointment.

Find a Seattle dentist that takes Medicaid using our online directory

Medicaid/Apple Health Covers a Wide Range of Dental Services

In Seattle, as most areas of the state, the Medicaid program is known as Apple Health. Over one million adults in Washington receive dental coverage as part of their comprehensive Medicaid benefits. However, only 20% of adults with Medicaid saw a dentist in 2020, with an even lower percentage of 18% for adults with Medicaid in King County.

If you’re looking for a Medicaid dentist in Seattle, you still may be unsure of what services are covered. Apple Health covers a variety of services for eligible adults and children age 20 and younger, and for people who have a Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) designation. These include:

  • Routine exams
  • Cleanings
  • X-rays
  • Fillings
  • Fluoride applications
  • Extractions
  • Other limited services such as root canals, dentures, oral surgery and care of gum disease

Your ProviderOne services card works as your proof of insurance for both medical and dental coverage. Be sure to bring this card with you so that your dental provider can make sure your service is covered. If you have Apple Health but can’t find your physical ProviderOne card, you can find a digital version of your card through the WAPlanfinder Mobile App.

People of all ages may be eligible for coverage under Apple Health, including yourself, your parents, and your children. DentistLink has a brief overview of Washington state’s dental benefits through Apple Health, including how to see if you qualify and enroll. The Washington State Health Care Authority, which administers the state’s Apple Health program, has more information on how to use your Apple Health coverage.

Once you book your dental appointment, DentistLink has some quick tips and reminders to help your appointment with a Medicaid dentist be a success.

“DentistLink is a lifesaver. Without you I would probably never have seen a dentist. I’m so very grateful. You seriously saved my life.”

Robert, DentistLink user

Don’t delay in finding a dentist

Whatever path you choose for finding a dentist in Seattle that accepts Medicaid / Apple Health, don’t put it off. Oral health problems are serious and affect your overall health as well. In addition to the pain and disabling effects of tooth decay and gum disease, oral disease is linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, complications in pregnancy, and other serious illnesses and medical conditions.

For the quickest and easiest solution, remember: Our DentistLink staff can help you connect to the right Medicaid dentist Seattle has for your needs!

Making your own inquiries for a Seattle dentist

If you’d like to do your own search for a dentist in Seattle who takes Medicaid, there are a number of potential options.

Neighborcare Health Dental Care provides services at 6 locations across Seattle, including Rainier Valley and High Point in West Seattle.

International Community Health Services provides dental services for Medicaid covered patients in two Seattle locations:

ICHS also operates a mobile dental clinic that serves Seattle-area middle schools and high schools.

Other potential options for a dentist in Seattle that accepts Apple Health/Medicaid include:

This is not an exhaustive list of Seattle providers that accept Medicaid. Our Find a Dentist tool is the most up-to-date resource for finding Medicaid dentists in Seattle.

Find a Dentist

Or call or text for assistance from a DentistLink referral specialist: 844-888-5465

Looking for a Seattle Medicaid dentist? Call or text DentistLink for a free referral: 844-888-5465

Low income dentist Spokane WA referral service

Posted on by Ally Butler

DentistLink helps with finding dentists who take low-income patients in Spokane

Do you need to find a dentist taking new patients in Spokane? Let DentistLink help. DentistLink is a free referral service for finding a low income dentist Spokane WA community members have been utilizing for the care they need.

We assist people all across Washington, whatever their insurance coverage is, whether it’s Apple Health (Medicaid), other insurance, or no dental insurance at all. We help anyone find a dental office that we know is taking new patients, and Spokane is one of our main service areas. If you live in Spokane and are looking for a low-income dentist, read on for more on how we can help you get in with a dentist for quality care.

DentistLink can do most of the work in finding a low income dentist in Spokane for you

DentistLink is powered and funded by Arcora Foundation, the foundation of Delta Dental of Washington, so there is no cost to people in the state of Washington to use this referral service. That includes Spokane! There is no charge for our help with finding dentists in Spokane who are accepting new patients.

You’ve taken a good first step toward finding a dentist by searching for “low income dentist Spokane WA” and arriving here at DentistLink. What are the next steps to using our services in Spokane? From here you have some choices. You can use our website as described below, or you can get even more personal assistance with help specific to finding Spokane dentists by calling or texting our toll-free number, 844-888-5465, to speak to a member of our DentistLink team.

You can reach the DentistLink referral specialists between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday, and if you call outside business hours, you can leave a voice message any time. If you leave a voice message, a referral specialist will contact you as soon as possible. The referral specialist will take down your information  and then provide you with the name and contact information for a dentist that meets your needs in Spokane.

If instead, you’d like to use our website search, go to the home page to select one of two other options we offer for finding a low-income dentist:

1. Use our search tool to find a low income dentist in Spokane. With this option, you simply fill out a form providing a reason for the visit, your zip code, age, phone number and insurance status. DentistLink searches the directory and provides you the name of one or more dental providers, their addresses, and the distance from your zip code. When you click on the name, a phone number, map to their location and other information you need to call and schedule an appointment will appear.

2. Have DentistLink contact me. With this option, you can fill out an online form to provide a referral specialist your information, so when they contact you to make a referral, they already have the information you shared to assist with finding the right Spokane, WA dentist that meets your needs. The form asks whether you are looking for a dentist for yourself or someone else, your name, how  best to contact you, and, similar to the search option, also asks for your zip code, your date of birth, your reason for needing a dental visit, and your insurance information (whether that is Apple Health, no insurance, or other insurance). In addition, the form asks whether you or the person you are searching on behalf of is pregnant or has diabetes.

An advantage of options #2 or calling/texting is that you can utilize the expertise of a DentistLink referral specialist who can help you in additional ways. For example, the referral specialists speak both English and Spanish and can connect to interpretive services for over 300 languages if needed. They also have access to childcare providers and transportation services to help make sure you can get to your dental appointment.

Call a DentistLink specialist for a referral to a Spokane dentist: 844-888-5465

Making your own inquiries for low income dental providers

If you decide to do your own research, you may find that a number of providers listed as accepting certain kinds of insurance, or no insurance, only provide certain services or may not be taking new patients.

Some search functions other than DentistLink provide lists of dental care options for the Spokane area, but you may find that they may be out of date, with providers no longer available or clinics that provide medical care but not dental care.

Still, if you want to go your own way and skip the services of a referral specialist, the sidebar includes some clinics in Spokane and the outlying area where you may be able to utilize free or low-cost dental care and is current as of December 2021.

Search our directory for low-cost dental care in your area

ABCD: Another option for dental care for young children in Spokane

If you are or someone you know is looking for low-income dental services for a young child or children in Spokane, the ABCD program is a good place to start. ABCD, which is short for Access to Baby and Child Dentistry, was started by dentists in Spokane more than 20 years ago and has been so successful that it has spread to every county in Washington state. It has even been lauded nationally for significantly increasing access to dental care for young children.

Services provided through ABCD include fluoride varnish applications to prevent cavities, dental exams, and restorative care to children up to age 6, along with education for parents on improving their children’s oral health, for families covered by Apple Health (Medicaid). You can learn more about the ABCD program and find your local ABCD coordinator on the ABCD website. Your local ABCD coordinator can tell you more about the program in your community and how to best care for your child’s oral health.

You can also receive a referral to an ABCD dentist near you by contacting DentistLink. Call or text 844-888-5465, or use our online form, to connect with a referral specialist who can tell you more about the ABCD program and find the right dentist for your child. If you rather use our website Find a Dentist search tool, you can find a checkbox for ABCD dentists under Advanced Features.

Dental care is important for young kids and, ultimately, for people of all ages. Dental pain can prevent children from getting enough sleep, make it difficult to eat healthy foods, and interfere with concentration and learning in school. Cavities in baby teeth can be passed on to adult teeth, dental infections can spread to other parts of the body, and oral disease is linked to heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and other serious health issues.

Some Low-Cost Dental Care Options in Spokane County

CHAS (Community Health Association of Spokane) offering dental services for adults and kids on a sliding fee scale depending on income – in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Cheney, and Clarkston.

The NATIVE Project providing services for all people on a sliding fee scale. Also accepts Medicaid, Medicare and most private insurance. No co-pay with proof of Tribal enrollment/descendency.

Unify Community Health Northeast Community Center providing dental care regardless of ability to pay, when they are accepting new patients.

Eastern Washington University Dental Hygiene Clinic providing services by appointment only. Accepts Medicaid and some private insurance.

This is not an exhaustive list of Spokane County providers that offer free or sliding-scale dental services. Our Find a Dentist tool is the most up-to-date resource for finding low income dentists in Spokane.

Find a Dentist

Or call or text for assistance from a DentistLink referral specialist: 844-888-5465

Specialized dental care for people with diabetes and pregnant people in Spokane

If you or someone you know is looking for a low income dentist in Spokane WA and is pregnant or has diabetes, DentistLink can find a dentist who specializes in care during pregnancy and living with diabetes. Our DentistLink referral specialist team can connect to you a dentist who is specially trained through a program called Oral Health Connections (OHC). This program, managed by Arcora Foundation and the Washington State Health Care Authority, trains dentists in Spokane, Thurston, and Cowlitz counties to know how your oral health is connected to your other health conditions. All OHC dentists accept pregnant and diabetic patients with Apple Health.

By seeing an Oral Health Connections dentist, you will take comfort in knowing they have the skills to effectively provide routine dental care for patients who are pregnant or who have diabetes. OHC dentists know the unique signs of oral concerns—like cavities or gum disease—and can catch them early. If you are eligible for OHC services, you can receive up to three (3) additional periodontal maintenance appointments per twelve-month period, for a total of four (4) per year. Periodontal maintenance is a special deep cleaning to make sure all parts of your mouth are kept healthy, specifically the gums. This includes removing tartar, cleaning between your teeth, cleaning in your gums, and checking your gums for infection. Since issues with gum disease (also known as periodontitis) are known to be connected to management of diabetes and pregnancy, it’s important to see a dentist regularly to make sure your gums are healthy.

Call or text our DentistLink referral specialist team at 844-888-5465 to learn more about dental care for you or someone you know who is pregnant or who has diabetes. Our referral specialist will be happy to connect you with an Oral Health Connections dentist. If you are using our search tool, you will see a note that says “Are you pregnant or diabetic and live in Spokane, Thurston or Cowlitz County? Call our referral specialist at 844-888-5465 to get connected to a provider.”

Diabetes and oral health

It is important to know that the health of your mouth is connected to the health of your whole body. For people with diabetes, poor oral health can lead to gum disease, which can make it harder to control blood sugar. Gum diseases can range from gingivitis, when bacteria in the plaque around the base of teeth build up and cause swelling of the gums, to severe periodontitis. Diabetes also reduces the body’s ability to fight infection, making gum disease more likely and more severe. In fact, people with diabetes are three times more likely to develop gum disease, making it more difficult to manage blood sugar which can lead to diabetes complications. This is why DentistLink offers special referral services to specially-trained dentists for people in Spokane who have diabetes. Call or text 844-888-5465 for a referral to a low income dentist who works with diabetic patients.

Pregnancy and oral health

In pregnancy, going to the dentist and getting needed treatment can help ensure a healthy pregnancy and greatly reduce the chances a baby will get cavities during the first few years of life. Cavities are caused by bacteria in the mouth that can pass from parent to child through things like kissing or sharing utensils. So it’s important that a parent, even during pregnancy, receives routine dental care to prevent cavities or get any cavities addressed early.

More severe oral disease can also be associated with preeclampsia, which is characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to the kidneys or other organs that can lead to serious and even fatal complications to the pregnant person and baby. Oral disease can also make it more difficult to control gestational diabetes, which may require management of blood sugar to maintain the health of the pregnant person and baby. It’s common for pregnant people to experience other oral health concerns like swollen gums, teeth pain, and morning sickness, where the stomach acid from vomiting can damage tooth enamel. Pregnant Spokane residents who are dealing with any of these common oral concerns during pregnancy can get care from one of the specially trained dentists we can help you find.  Again, call DentistLink at 844-888-5465 to connect with a dentist who offers special services during pregnancy. These dentists can help you best protect your teeth.

Summary on finding low income dentists in Spokane WA

There are many options for low income dentists in Spokane WA, but it can be hard to know where to start if you are searching by yourself. Whether you need a routine checkup or more specialized care, DentistLink can help connect you to the right dentist for your needs—without the headache of Googling or calling office after office, only to find out the dentist doesn’t accept your insurance. DentistLink helps everyone find a dentist in Spokane WA, even if you have Apple Health or no dental insurance. DentistLink is a low income dentist Spokane WA search service ready to help.

Call or text today for our assistance with finding a low income dentist in Spokane: 844-888-5465