The Pennsylvania Department of Health Oral Health Program coordinates and implements initiatives that integrate prevention and management of dental disease.  Prevention efforts target at risk populations such as low-income, pregnant women, and infants.  The State Public Health Dentist and a program administrator provide technical assistance and guidance to community based efforts to increase access to oral health services.  The State Public Health Dentist serves as the Secretary of Health’s representative on the State Dental Board and as the Department’s liaison to the dental community.

Safety Net Dental Clinics:

Safety net clinics are most often non-profit, community sponsored dental clinics that usually see patients without other access to dental care.  These are usually low-income people who can't afford dental care, or are patients on public insurance who cannot find a private dentist willing to see them.  The dental treatment is either done for free or a sliding scale is offered.  Each program has its own limitations and availability of appointments, so call first to find out the specifics of a clinic near you.  To identify nearby clinics, follow the below link, and then click on the desired county(s) to see a list of the clinics in that county(s).

The Donated Dental Services Program:

The Department of Health helps sponsor this program throughout Pennsylvania in cooperation with the "National Foundation for Dentistry for the Handicapped" (http://www.nfdh.org/).  The program is intended to provide dental services to poor residents of Pennsylvania who are also over age 60 or poor residents that also have physical and/or mental disabilities. The disability condition must be so severe as to prohibit or greatly limit the individual's ability to engage in gainful employment. Otherwise qualified individuals must further be unable to afford dental treatment, have no other means to access dental services, and be in need of extensive dental treatment, which is provided by volunteer dentists and dental labs.  Only one course of comprehensive dental services is provided to an eligible patient after which, it is hoped that the individual can find an affordable source of maintenance oral health care for themselves.

Program contacts:

Western Pennsylvania: (888) 683-9158 or (412) 243-4866
Eastern Pennsylvania: (800)716-8721 or (717) 238-8721

Click on the link below to the Department of Health web page containing this information:
http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/browse.asp?A=169&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=35875&healthPNavCtr=|#

Pennsylvania Dental Society's  Senior Dental Care Program:

The Senior Dental Care Program offers reduced-cost dental care to eligible, low-income Pennsylvania senior citizens by dentists who are members of the Pennsylvania Dental Association. More than 1,700 PDA members have volunteered to participate in this program.  

PA Forum for Primary Health Care:

Established in 1981 as a private non-profit organization, the PA Forum is the state association of community health centers. These community-owned and operated rural and urban centers provide quality health care that is both affordable and accessible. Most receive some federal grant support from the Public Health Service.

National Health Service Corp: 

Federal Loan repayment, scholarships, practice opportunities, more

State Sponsored Health Payment Programs for Low-income Patients:

Reports & Documents

Oral Health Strategic Plan For Pennsylvania (PDF, 2MB)

Services are available for low-income and special needs patients.  Low-income patients may qualify for Medicaid or NC Health Choice.  Contact your local Department of Social Services to see if you qualify.  For a list of Medicaid providers, please contact the NC Division of Medical Assistance at 1-800-662-7030.  Low income and special needs patients may also contact their county health department or a local free clinic for dental services.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health Oral Health Program coordinates and implements initiatives that integrate prevention and management of dental disease.  Prevention efforts target at risk populations such as low-income, pregnant women, and infants.  The State Public Health Dentist and a program administrator provide technical assistance and guidance to community based efforts to increase access to oral health services.  The State Public Health Dentist serves as the Secretary of Health’s representative on the State Dental Board and as the Department’s liaison to the dental community.

Safety Net Dental Clinics:

Safety net clinics are most often non-profit, community sponsored dental clinics that usually see patients without other access to dental care.  These are usually low-income people who can't afford dental care, or are patients on public insurance who cannot find a private dentist willing to see them.  The dental treatment is either done for free or a sliding scale is offered.  Each program has its own limitations and availability of appointments, so call first to find out the specifics of a clinic near you.  To identify nearby clinics, follow the below link, and then click on the desired county(s) to see a list of the clinics in that county(s).

The Donated Dental Services Program:

The Department of Health helps sponsor this program throughout Pennsylvania in cooperation with the "National Foundation for Dentistry for the Handicapped" (http://www.nfdh.org/).  The program is intended to provide dental services to poor residents of Pennsylvania who are also over age 60 or poor residents that also have physical and/or mental disabilities. The disability condition must be so severe as to prohibit or greatly limit the individual's ability to engage in gainful employment. Otherwise qualified individuals must further be unable to afford dental treatment, have no other means to access dental services, and be in need of extensive dental treatment, which is provided by volunteer dentists and dental labs.  Only one course of comprehensive dental services is provided to an eligible patient after which, it is hoped that the individual can find an affordable source of maintenance oral health care for themselves.

Program contacts:

Western Pennsylvania: (888) 683-9158 or (412) 243-4866
Eastern Pennsylvania: (800)716-8721 or (717) 238-8721

Click on the link below to the Department of Health web page containing this information:
http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/browse.asp?A=169&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=35875&healthPNavCtr=|#

Pennsylvania Dental Society's  Senior Dental Care Program:

The Senior Dental Care Program offers reduced-cost dental care to eligible, low-income Pennsylvania senior citizens by dentists who are members of the Pennsylvania Dental Association. More than 1,700 PDA members have volunteered to participate in this program.  

Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC):

Established in 1981 as a private non-profit organization, the PACHC is the state association of community health centers. These community-owned and operated rural and urban centers provide quality health care that is both affordable and accessible. Most receive some federal grant support from the Public Health Service.  For additional information, visit: www.pachc.com

National Health Service Corp: 

The National Health Service Corp (NHSC) provides comprehensive team-based health care that bridges geographic, financial, cultural, and language barriers. The NHSC works closely with the Health Resources and Services Administration to recruit primary care clinicians for communities in need.  For additional information, visit: http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/

State Sponsored Health Payment Programs for Low-income Patients: