Reviewing the eligibility packet
patients fill out to apply
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), “For children ages 2-18, 51.3% have private dental benefits, 38.5% of dental benefits through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and 10.3 percent do not have dental benefits. For adults ages 19-64, 59.0% have private dental benefits, 7.4% have dental benefits through Medicaid, and 33.6% do not have dental benefits.” With that in mind, only about 43% of dental clinics accept some sort of Medicaid insurance. Clearly, there is an issue with getting the coverage a person needs to even begin to afford the high prices of dental procedures, which typically start around $346 for an initial exam.
My host site is Sulzbacher Center, which provides a continuum of care approach, addressing all aspects of homelessness including housing, income, and health care. I serve in the Dental clinic where we provide general dentistry care and emergency services. My position as patient navigator primarily revolves around meeting with patients to complete a financial and housing assessment in order to qualify them for our sliding fee scale. We accept patients who are 200% and below the federal poverty line, and with or without dental insurance. Our clinic’s goal is to give access to dental care at a rate that is adjusted to their income and housing situation. Therefore, my role is crucial to patients who do not have dental insurance and cannot pay the expensive private practice rates.
Calling dibs on the dental chair for morning huddle
Even with the adjusted prices of some patients in no income and/or homeless situations, paying for the treatment can be extremely difficult; specifically, paying for treatments the clinic is billed for such as dentures, bridges, crowns, and others. To aid with these costs, I personally have set up a fundraiser that can be used for covering patient’s treatment. Patients apply for aid by filling out a form where they explain their situation as to why they need the aid and the amount of aid they would like to receive. Once a month the director of Sulzbacher Dental Clinic, one of the dentists, and I meet to review the applications and distribute the aid.
As someone who values service and continuous learning, my time at the Sulzbacher dental clinic has been more than anything I could have expected. Throughout my service term, I am continuously encouraged to bring my passions to life through creative thinking. Being wanted and needed at my host site has made me feel appreciated, heard, and excited to serve my community each day. Due to this, I find fulfillment in being able to provide a service to community members that wouldn’t otherwise have access to the dental care they need.
