Oregon has 1 accredited dental school in Portland. Many dental school clinics charge less than private practices, although care is usually reduced-cost rather than free. Public clinic availability, services and fees vary by school. The state also has 60 community health center dental locations offering income-based fees.
School or health center: which fits your situation
Community health centers offer income-based fee discounts. Dental school clinics may use reduced fee schedules that are not based on income and may require longer appointments. Compare current fees, waiting time and the number of visits needed for your treatment.
What to expect at a Oregon dental school clinic
Many teaching clinics begin with a screening appointment to decide whether a patient’s needs fit the school’s available clinics and teaching schedule. Ask what the screening appointment costs, and bear in mind that being screened is not the same as being accepted for treatment.
Appointments may take longer because faculty review the work at several stages. Ask how long each visit is expected to take and how many visits the treatment may require.
Confirm public clinic availability, services, screening requirements, fees and new-patient appointments directly with each school. The patient clinic may use a different address or contact number from the admissions office.
Other low-cost options in Oregon
Community health centers in Oregon offer income-based fees. Dental hygiene programs in Oregon may provide supervised preventive care. County health departments and state dental associations may also know about local charitable care.