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If you don’t have dental coverage, you’re not alone — nearly 30% of U.S. adults are uninsured.1 These individuals often delay or skip routine dental visits due to cost concerns.2 Luckily, there are many affordable ways to access dental care without insurance. Read on to learn how you can afford dental care without insurance and how to leverage other cost-saving strategies.
Table of Contents
The cost of dental care for adults without insurance varies widely depending on the type of treatment you need. Preventive care is typically more affordable, while more complex procedures can cost thousands of dollars.
Here’s a breakdown of common dental costs without insurance:4
| Dental procedure | Cost without insurance |
|---|---|
| Dental cleaning | $75 – $200 |
| Cavity filling | $100 – $1,050 |
| Tooth extraction | $50 – $500+ |
| Dental crown | $800 – $2,500 |
| Root canal | $700 – $2,100 |
| Dentures | $1,000 – $28,000 |
Without insurance coverage or other cost-saving strategies, you’ll pay the full price for these services out of pocket.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Protect yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
Get StartedEven without a dental plan, there are several ways to get dental care without insurance at a lower cost. Some strategies include:
Dental schools often offer treatments at reduced rates, so students can gain hands-on experience under close supervision. If you need a costly dental treatment, such as a cavity filling or root canal, you may save money by scheduling it at a local dental school. You can check the American Student Dental Association’s website to find dental schools near you.
Community dental clinics may also offer low-cost dental services. Some employ sliding-scale pricing that adjusts costs based on your income and ability to pay. These programs can be a helpful option if you need basic or urgent care on a budget. You can find health centers in your area on the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration’s website.
Government programs like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) may help cover dental care for eligible individuals and families.5 Coverage and eligibility requirements vary by state. If you’re eligible, these programs may help cover preventive care, basic services and some major procedures.
Dental discount plans are membership-based programs that offer reduced rates on services from participating dentists. While they’re not the same as insurance, they can help lower the cost of routine and major procedures.
Some dentists may offer discounts or flexible payment options for uninsured patients. If your dentists offer these options, you may be able to spread your payments over time or receive care at a reduced rate.
While you can explore the many cost-saving solutions presented here, dental insurance is still one of the most reliable and effective ways to lower your out-of-pocket expenses. For example, Aflac’s network dental insurance can help cover up to 100% of your preventive care, including routine cleanings, exams and X-rays.
Our plans can also cover up to 80% of eligible basic procedures and up to 50% of eligible major procedures after you meet your deductible. For example, if you need a basic tooth extraction that costs $150, your plan could cover $120 of the cost, leaving you responsible for just $30 out of pocket.
With this comprehensive coverage, you can visit the dentist regularly without breaking the bank, helping prevent more expensive oral issues from developing in the future.
Dental care can become expensive without insurance coverage. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce your costs and maintain your oral health.
Aflac offers network dental insurance plans with a wide range of coverage options and affordable premiums. Meanwhile, our supplemental dental insurance can help cover additional costs your primary plan doesn’t cover.
Speak with an Aflac agent today to explore your options and find a plan that fits your budget.
Get Started
Dental insurance can help lower your dental care costs. Learn how dental insurance works and the benefits and coverage this type of plan offers.
Looking for dental insurance that covers implants and dentures? Aflac walks through all the benefits of full coverage dental insurance like preventative care, basics, and major services.
Dental insurance can help lower your dental care costs. Learn how dental insurance works and the benefits and coverage this type of plan offers.
Looking for dental insurance that covers implants and dentures? Aflac walks through all the benefits of full coverage dental insurance like preventative care, basics, and major services.
1 CareQuest. Out of Pocket: A Snapshot of Adults’ Dental and Medical Care Coverage. Updated on N/A. https://carequest.org/out-of-pocket-a-snapshot-of-adults-dental-and-medical-care-coverage/. Accessed on April 9, 2026.
2 PAN Foundation. Nearly half of insured adults do not receive regular dental care, access must be expanded. Updated on October 31, 2024. https://www.panfoundation.org/nearly-half-of-insured-adults-do-not-receive-regular-dental-care-access-must-be-expanded/. Accessed on April 9, 2026.
3 GoodRX. How to Find Affordable Dental Care & Manage Dental Costs Without Insurance. Updated on April 8, 2025. https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/dental-care/manage-dental-costs-without-insurance?. Accessed on April 9, 2026.
4 GoodRX. How to Find Affordable Dental Care & Manage Dental Costs Without Insurance. Updated on April 8, 2025. https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/dental-care/manage-dental-costs-without-insurance?. Accessed on April 9, 2026.
5 Medicaid. Dental Care. Updated on N/A. https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/dental-care. Accessed on April 9, 2026.
Coverage underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York:
Dental: In Delaware, Policies A82100R–A82400R. In Idaho, Policies A82100RID–A82400RID. In Oklahoma, Policies A82100ROK–A82400ROK. In Virginia, Policies A82100RVA–A82400RVA.
Coverage underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company:
Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (NAIC 92908).
Dental, Vision and Hearing: In Delaware, Policy T80000. In Idaho, Policy T80000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T80000OK. Dental claims are administered by SKYGEN USA, LLC. Vision claims are administered by EyeMed Vision Care, LLC. Hearing claims are administered by Nations Hearing. NOTICE: The coverage offered is not a qualified health plan (QHP) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is not required to satisfy essential health benefits mandates of the ACA. The coverage provides limited benefits.
Coverage/plan may not be available in all states, including but not limited to NJ, NM, NY, VA or VT. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions.
Aflac WWHQ | Tier One | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
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