The federal government does not award grants directly to individuals. Instead, the money flows to state agencies, non-profits, and universities to foster a public good.
Therefore, direct government grants for dental implants do not exist.
Low-income patients might reduce tooth replacement costs by applying for benefits through state agencies, non-profits, and universities that receive grants.
Grants do not fund all government programs. However, they can reduce tooth replacement costs for many people, making them worth exploring.
Government Benefits for Implants
No federal agency gives grants directly to patients needing dental implants. However, some government programs can help lower costs.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a state and federal program that might help lower tooth replacement costs for qualifying recipients. Each state runs the program, with at least half the funding from a federal agency.
Implants
Medicaid covers dental implants in only two states: New York and California. Residents in these states might get significant help based on published rules.
- New York does not require the treatment to relieve a medical condition.
- California exempts necessary treatment from the annual benefit limit.
Dentures
Medicaid covers removable dentures in thirty-four states. Patients not qualifying for implants can still get help replacing missing teeth.
Residents in the remaining sixteen states do not have denture coverage.
| Arkansas | Arizona | Georgia |
| Kansas | Kentucky | Maryland |
| Maine | Missouri | Mississippi |
| New Hampshire | New Mexico | Oklahoma |
| South Carolina | Tennessee | Texas |
| West Virginia |
FEDVIP
The Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) can reduce tooth implant costs directly, and millions qualify to enroll.
- Federal civilian workforce
- Current employees
- US Postal Service workers
- Retirees (annuitants)
- Surviving spouses & dependents
- Uniformed Service Members
- Retired veterans
- Active duty personnel
- National Guard reserves
- Family members
- Former spouses
- Surviving spouses & dependents
Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP dental insurance covers tooth implants with unique features. A past or present link to the world’s largest employer allows these benefits.
- No waiting period for implants
- No missing tooth exclusion
- No annual benefit maximum
- Lowest co-insurance percentage
- Lowest monthly premium costs
Enroll in coverage during the open season, which runs from mid-November to mid-December, or at any point in the year if a qualifying life event occurs.
Federal Tax Savings
The federal government lowers dental implant costs directly through tax savings. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) administers three programs with unique pros and cons.
Itemized Deductions
The IRS allows itemized tax deductions for dental implants. Patients getting full-mouth replacements save the most by consolidating expenses in one year.
The average cost of full-mouth replacement teeth starts at $35,000. Patients meet two thresholds when expenses fall into one year:
- Itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction.
- Deductible medical and dental expenses surpass 7.5% of income.
Health Savings Account
You can use your HSA for dental implants and save on taxes without meeting the two itemized deduction thresholds. Plus, there is no limit on the cost of your replacement teeth.
An HSA is a tax-favored account linked to a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), which must be in place before treatment begins.
Suppose you set up an account before incurring a qualifying expense. In that case, you can repay yourself later using tax-favored dollars if you continue with an HDHP.
Flexible Spending Account
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) covers dental implants and offers tax savings on the first dollar contributed. It is ideal for single tooth replacements and provides a unique payment plan.
The annual contribution limit of $3,300 makes an FSA better for single-tooth replacements. You save taxes on the full amount contributed without unused funds.
An FSA offers no credit check implant financing. Your annual election is available at the start of the plan year, giving you up to 52 weeks to make pre-tax payroll contributions after treatment.
State Tax Savings
Some state governments offer additional tax savings on dental implant expenses through itemized deductions, HSAs, and FSAs.
The impact on out-of-pocket costs depends on your state’s marginal income tax rate. This chart shows the tax brackets for the twenty largest states.
| Arizona | 2.59% – 4.5% | California | 1 – 12.3% |
| Colorado | 4.50% | Florida | 0% |
| Georgia | 1 – 5.75% | Illinois | 4.95% |
| Indiana | 3.23% | Maryland | 2 – 4.75% |
| Massachusetts | 5.00% | Michigan | 4.25% |
| Missouri | 0 – 5.4% | New Jersey | 1.4% – 10.75% |
| New York | 4 – 8.82% | Ohio | 0 – 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 3.07% | Tennessee | 0% |
| Texas | 0% | Virginia | 2% – 5.75% |
| Washington State | 0% | Wisconsin | 4 – 7.65% |
Government Benefits for Low-Income
The federal government does not provide grants to low-income families. However, patients can lower dental implant costs by applying for benefits through state agencies, non-profits, and universities that receive grants.
Other Expenses
No federal agency issues block grants directly to individuals for living expenses. However, state agencies offer benefits to low-income households that lower these costs.
Low-income families qualify for many government benefits that reduce costs for housing, energy, groceries, and more. Use these savings to pay for extractions, implant surgery, and crowns.
Non-Profits
The government frequently awards grants to non-profit organizations serving the public. Many charities help low-income patients with low-cost dental care, including tooth implants when needed.
Pro bono dentists and charities often help needy patients with problem teeth. However, expect to wait in a long line for services. The demand for free care exceeds the supply.
Dental Schools
The federal government awards grants to universities for various reasons. For example, Medicare funds dental residency programs through Graduate Medical Education payments.
Dental schools rarely offer free tooth implant services. Instead, intern prosthodontists serve in sliding-scale clinics where low-income patients receive discounted care. Set expectations accordingly.
Clinical Trials
The federal government offers grants to research organizations seeking medical and oral care advances. These researchers sometimes conduct clinical trials to test new concepts on volunteer patients.
Low-income implant patients might get discounted care by volunteering for a clinical trial. However, the chances of finding a study near your home are slim.
Also, you might have to meet narrow criteria to qualify or agree to test out experimental treatments, as evidenced by these examples.
- Supra-structure material in full-arch prosthetics
- Patients with Vitamin D3 imbalance
- Computer-guided versus freehand surgery
- Performance of micro-textured implants
