ByHow to Access Care at the Cook County Hospital Free Dental Clinic
As medical costs continue to skyrocket, many uninsured and low-income families are finding it nearly impossible to obtain affordable at a . Fortunately, to meet this need, there are many local and state government-run programs that provide free or low-cost dental care.
Many non-profit dental clinics operate under the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) service. Others provide care for adults, children, and lower-income seniors under plans such as Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act.
Many county-run hospitals also offer free dental services. This guide will assist you in getting you and your loved ones care at several locations, including the Cook County Hospital free dental clinic.
However, as you will soon discover, DoNotPay has a more efficient process, which contacts the clinic on your behalf and returns the information you requested in a timely manner.
Who Can Receive Low-Cost or Free Dental Care?
- Uninsured, Medicaid and/or SSI recipients, immigrants, single mothers, and unemployed are eligible for free oral health from the Public Health Department.
- Dental charities and nonprofit clinics provide services using a sliding scale of income. However, there may be financial and residency requirements. Others may only treat children, homeless, or disabled persons.
- Many dental schools in colleges offer free or low-cost dental care to the public without proof of income or any other qualifications.
- PrimeCare is a medical and dental provider that will not turn anyone away from care, regardless of ability to pay and insurance status.
Where to Get Free or Low-Cost Dental Care for Low-Income Individuals, Senior Citizens, and Children
There are several ways for eligible individuals to receive low-cost or free dental care in the .
| Name | Address | Phone | Accepts Low-Income Patients |
| Cook County Department of Public Health | 7556 Jackson Boulevard
Forest Park, IL 60130 | (708) 633-4000 | Yes |
| University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry | 801 S Paulina St, Chicago, IL 60612 | (312) 996-7555 | Yes, with appointment |
| Prairie State College Dental Hygiene Clinic | 202 S. Halsted St. Chicago Heights, IL 60411 | (708) 709-3707 | Yes, with appointment |
How to Receive Care at the Cook County Hospital Free Dental Clinic
The John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital, formerly Cook County Hospital, is a 450-bed public teaching hospital in the Cook County Health system. While the hospital no longer provides basic dental care, the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery treats more complex dental issues. These include wisdom teeth removal, dental infections, dental implants, and TMJ disorders.
The hospital accepts the following government-funded insurance plans:
- Medicare for people over age 65 or with certain disabilities. However, this coverage may be limited.
- Medicaid, a state-run medical benefit program that administers dental benefits to eligible individuals and families.
- CHIP, for children ages 19 and under who lack health insurance. Dental services are available to those who qualify. This coverage may vary from state to state.
The does not deny services to patients based on their ability to pay. The following financial assistance options are available for uninsured and low-income patients.
- CareLink This is a free program for Cook County residents to cover treatment costs at any county health facility. Call (866) 223-2817 for more information.
- Illinois Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act For uninsured patients who reside outside of Cook County, this program helps the uninsured pay for health care services at Cook County Health facilities.
Patients may complete an application for a financial assistance program and walk-in to the nearest Cook County Health facility to speak with a financial counselor. A list of required documents that must accompany the application, is available for download on the Cook County Health page.
The application can also be mailed, sent by email, or faxed with the required documentation. Mail and contact information are on the application form.
How to Find Free or Low-Cost Dental Services in Cook County
Locating a nearby dental office that offers low-cost or free services can be difficult and time-consuming. They may not have appointments when you need them or even accept new patients. However, the following website links may be of some help.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- The United Way
- Dental Lifeline Network
- Free Dental Care
Find Free or Low-Cost Dental Services With the Help of DoNotPay
Rather than going through websites and listings trying to locate the nearest free or low-cost dental clinic near you, let DoNotPay do the work for you in three easy steps.
- Search "dentist" on DoNotPay.
- Enter your current address, so we can find the clinic nearest to you.
- Select whether you would like to ask a question about your eligibility, receive a quote for a specific procedure, or set up an appointment.
And that's it! DoNotPay will contact the clinic on your behalf and get back to you with the information you requested
Why Use DoNotPay to Find Free or Low-Cost Dental Services
- DoNotPay is fast. You do not have to spend hours searching websites for a dental office close to home.
- There are no tedious forms to fill out or multiple steps involved in setting up an appointment, receiving a quote for a procedure, or inquiring about your eligibility.
- DoNotPay uses a proven, successful process to get the information you need for free or low-cost dental work.
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