Dental Schools that do Implants for Free or very cheap are good options for those with limited financial strength. Dental implants are made from life-changing decisions, but they can also be expensive. If you’re missing teeth and the cost of implants has been holding you back, you may be wondering if there are any affordable options available.
The good news is that there are! Many dental schools in the United States offer implant placement services to the public at significantly reduced rates or even for free. This is because dental schools need patients to give their students hands-on experience under the supervision of experienced faculty.
In this blog post, I list 12 good US dental schools that do implants for free or almost nothing. I also provide information on eligibility requirements, costs, and how to contact each school.
Table of Contents
In the US, dental care expenditures amounted to $162 billion in 2021, up 11% from 2020 (adjusted for inflation). (American Dental Association)
- The average cost of a single dental procedure rose by 23% between 1996 and 2015, adjusted for inflation. (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
- Dental costs increased by 5.4% between October 2021 and October 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Forbes Advisor)
- 29.1 million Americans lacked dental insurance in 2020, or 10.2% of the population. (KFF)
- People without dental insurance are two to three times more likely to delay or forgo dental care due to cost. (ADA)
If carefully observed, you’ll see that rural areas often need more dentists, leading to limited access and higher costs. Also, minority and low-income communities are more likely to experience dental care deserts where no dentists are readily available.
Another concerning fact is that many patients struggle with unexpected costs not covered by insurance, such as lab fees or anaesthesia. Lack of price transparency makes it difficult for patients to compare costs and find affordable options.
Why go to a Dental School?
I mean, if you are on this page, it is because you are looking for cheap or free dental services. Private dentists are very costly. Dental schools bridge the gap between high costs and necessary care by offering significantly reduced rates, or even free services, to the public. This accessibility stems from several factors:
- Training Needs: Dental schools require patients for their students to gain practical experience under the supervision of licensed dentists. They offer discounted services to attract patients willing to participate in this learning process.
- Subsidies: Many schools receive government grants or operate within public universities, allowing them to offer lower prices without compromising quality.
- Community Outreach: Dental schools frequently participate in community outreach programs, providing free or discounted care to underserved populations.
Services Dental Schools that do Implants for Free Offer
The exact services offered by each dental school will vary. However, most commonly provide care in these areas:
- General Dentistry: Routine exams, cleanings, fillings, sealants, fluoride treatments.
- Endodontics: Root canal treatment, pulp therapy.
- Periodontics: Gum disease treatment, gum surgery.
- Prosthodontics: Crowns, bridges, dentures, implants.
- Orthodontics: Braces, aligners, and other bite correction appliances.
- Oral Surgery: Tooth extractions, wisdom teeth removal, jaw surgery.
Dental Schools vs. Private Practices
The cost of dental care can be a major barrier for many people. While private practices often offer the most convenience and flexibility, their prices can be significantly higher compared to dental schools. Here’s a breakdown of the cost comparison between the two:
| Procedure | Private Practice (Average Cost) | Dental School (Average Cost) |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Exam | $75-$200 | $25-$50 |
| Teeth Cleaning | $75-$200 | $25-$50 |
| Fillings | $150-$500 per tooth | $50-$200 per tooth |
| Crowns | $1,000-$2,500 per tooth | $300-$800 per tooth |
| Dentures | $3,000-$10,000 per full set | $1,000-$3,000 per full set |
| Dental Implants | $3,000-$4,500 per implant | $500-$1,500 per implant |
Private Practices
Pros
- Convenient appointment scheduling, often with shorter wait times.
- A wider range of dentists and specialists to choose from.
- More personalized attention and patient interaction.
- May offer amenities like extended hours, comfortable waiting areas, and advanced technology.
Cons
- Typically much higher costs for procedures and services.
- Limited financial assistance options or payment plans.
- Significant expenses even with insurance.
Dental Schools
Pros
- Significantly lower costs for procedures, often up to 70% less than private practices.
- Access to experienced faculty dentists supervising student work.
- Opportunity to participate in clinical trials or research studies.
- Usually accept a wider range of dental insurance plans.
Cons
- Longer wait times for appointments and scheduling can be more complex.
- Procedures may take longer due to the teaching aspect.
- Limited availability of certain specialized services or procedures.
- The atmosphere is more clinical and less personalized.
Who Qualifies for Dental Schools that Do Implants for Free?
- Old people
- Veterans
- Disabled
- mentally unstable people
- Smokers willing to stop
- Low-income people
List of 11 Good Dental Schools Offering Free or Budget-Friendly Dental Work
1. A.T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Website: https://www.atsu.edu/arizona-school-of-dentistry-and-oral-health/dental-clinics
Phone number: (480) 623-6000
Services offered
- Routine exams and cleanings
- Fillings and sealants
- Crowns and bridges
- Dentures and implants
- Orthodontics
- Oral surgery
- Specialized care like periodontics and TMJ therapy
2. University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Location: San Francisco, California
Website: https://dental.pacific.edu/dental/dental-services
Phone numbers
- Main Clinic: (415) 929-6501
- Pediatric Dentistry: (415) 929-6550
- Orthodontics: (415) 929-6555
- Dental Hygiene: (415) 929-6408
Services offered
- Routine exams and cleanings
- Fillings and sealants
- Crowns and bridges
- Dentures and implants (through specific programs)
- Orthodontics
- Oral surgery
- Specialized care like periodontics, endodontics, and geriatric dentistry
3. LSU School of Dentistry
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana (with an additional clinic in Baton Rouge)
Website: https://www.lsusd.lsuhsc.edu/patients.html
Phone numbers
- New Orleans Clinic: (504) 889-9893
- Baton Rouge Clinic: (225) 763-3939
Services offered
- Routine examinations and cleanings
- Fillings and sealants
- Crowns and bridges
- Dentures and implant programs (limited availability)
- Orthodontics
- Oral surgery
- Specialized care like periodontics and endodontics
4. University of Iowa College of Dentistry
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Website: https://dentistry.uiowa.edu/patient-care
Phone number: (319) 335-7499
Services offered
- Routine exams and cleanings
- Fillings and sealants
- Crowns and bridges
- Dentures and implant placements (through specific programs)
- Orthodontics
- Oral surgery
- Specialized care like periodontics, endodontics, and geriatric dentistry
5. East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine (ECU SoDM)
Location: Greenville, North Carolina
Website: https://dental.ecu.edu/faculty-practice/appointments/
Phone number: (252) 737-7122 (between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM)
Services offered
- Routine care: Exams, cleanings, fillings, sealants
- Restorative: Crowns, bridges, dentures
- Oral Surgery: Extractions, wisdom teeth removal, implants (limited availability)
- Periodontics: Gum disease treatment
- Endodontics: Root canal treatments
- Orthodontics: Braces, Invisalign
- Special services: TMJ treatment, sleep apnea appliances
6. University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry (Detroit, Michigan)
Location: Detroit, Michigan, with two clinics:
- Corktown Campus Clinic: 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Detroit, MI 48208
- Downtown Dental Center: 3555 Woodward Ave., Suite 800, Detroit, MI 48226
Website: https://dental.udmercy.edu/, https://dentalpatients.udmercy.edu/
Phone numbers: Corktown Campus Clinic: (313) 494-6700, Downtown Dental Center: (313) 963-5431
Services offered
- Routine care: Exams, cleanings, fillings, sealants
- Restorative: Crowns, bridges, dentures
- Oral surgery: Extractions, wisdom teeth removal, implants (through specific programs)
- Periodontics: Gum disease treatment
- Endodontics: Root canal treatments
- Orthodontics: Braces, Invisalign
- Specialty care: TMJ treatment, sleep apnea appliances
7. Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry (Nashville, Tennessee)
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Website: https://home.mmc.edu/school-of-dentistry/dental-care/
Phone number: (615) 327-6669
Services offered
- Routine care: Exams, cleanings, fillings, sealants
- Restorative: Crowns, bridges, dentures, implants (including international patient program)
- Oral Surgery: Extractions, wisdom teeth removal, jaw surgery
- Periodontics: Gum disease treatment
- Endodontics: Root canal treatments
- Orthodontics: Braces, Invisalign
- Special services: Geriatric dentistry, cleft lip and palate care
8. Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry (Portland, Oregon)
Location: Portland, Oregon, in the Skourtes Tower at the Robertson Life Sciences Building.
Website: https://www.ohsu.edu/dental-clinics
Phone number: (503) 494-8867 (Admitting Clinic)
Services offered
- Routine care: Exams, cleanings, fillings, sealants
- Restorative: Crowns, bridges, dentures, implants (limited availability)
- Oral Surgery: Extractions, wisdom teeth removal, jaw surgery
- Periodontics: Gum disease treatment
- Endodontics: Root canal treatments
- Orthodontics: Braces, Invisalign
- Specialty care: Pediatric dentistry, geriatric dentistry
9. University of Texas School of Dentistry at San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas)
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Website: https://uthscsa.edu/dental/programs/dds-program
Phone number: (210) 567-3333
Services offered
- Routine care: Exams, cleanings, fillings, sealants
- Restorative: Crowns, bridges, dentures, implants (through specific programs)
- Oral Surgery: Extractions, wisdom teeth removal, jaw surgery
- Periodontics: Gum disease treatment
- Endodontics: Root canal treatments
- Orthodontics: Braces, Invisalign
- Specialty care: Pediatric dentistry, geriatric dentistry
10. University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry (Kansas City, Missouri)
Location: Kansas City, Missouri, on Hospital Hill
Website: https://dentistry.umkc.edu/patients/
Phone number: (816) 235-2100
Services offered
- Routine care: Exams, cleanings, fillings, sealants
- Restorative: Crowns, bridges, dentures, implant placements (limited availability)
- Oral Surgery: Extractions, wisdom teeth removal, jaw surgery
- Periodontics: Gum disease treatment
- Endodontics: Root canal treatments
- Orthodontics: Braces, Invisalign
- Specialty care: Geriatric dentistry, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
11. Loma Linda University School of Dentistry
Location: Loma Linda, California (approximately 60 miles east of Los Angeles)
Website: https://dentistry.llu.edu/about/contact-us
Phone number: (909) 558-4222
Services offered
- Routine care: Exams, cleanings, fillings, sealants
- Restorative: Crowns, bridges, dentures, implant placements (through specific programs)
- Oral Surgery: Extractions, wisdom teeth removal, jaw surgery
- Periodontics: Gum disease treatment
- Endodontics: Root canal treatments
- Orthodontics: Braces, Invisalign
- Specialty care: Pediatric dentistry, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
12. Baylor College of Dentistry
Location: Dallas, Texas
Website: https://dentistry.tamu.edu/patient-care/index.html
Phone number: (214) 820-8888
Services offered
- Routine care: Exams, cleanings, fillings, sealants
- Restorative: Crowns, bridges, dentures, implant placements (limited availability)
- Oral Surgery: Extractions, wisdom teeth removal, jaw surgery
- Periodontics: Gum disease treatment
- Endodontics: Root canal treatments
- Orthodontics: Braces, Invisalign
- Specialty care: Pediatric dentistry, geriatric dentistry, craniofacial pain and dysfunction
FAQs on Dental Schools that do Implants for Free
How much are dental implants at Pitt dental School?
At Pitt Dental Medicine, implant treatment for a single tooth starts at $900 (excluding restoration). This cost is comparable to a bridge, but implants offer the advantage of preserving healthy teeth.
Does USC Dental School do implants?
Absolutely! USC Dental School offer comprehensive implant services, with highly skilled residents performing the procedures under the watchful guidance of experienced faculty dentists. This ensures you receive the highest quality care while benefiting from advanced training techniques.
Does Texas A&M Dental School do implants?
Yes, they perform a wide range of dental procedures, including dental implants, preprosthetic surgery, oral lesion management, and wisdom teeth removal.Â
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