Low Cost Dental Options in Lane County

White Bird Dental Clinic
Children’s Dental Center
LCC Dental Division
OHSU School of Dentistry
Salud Medical Center, Inc.
Senior Low-Cost Denture Program
Dental Care Day Update

Dental Emergencies 

Answers to Common Questions about Dental Health
How can I choose a dentist?
What should I look for when choosing a dentist?
What is the difference between a DDS and a DMD?
Where can I get low-cost dental care or financial assistance?
How often should I replace my toothbrush?
How should I choose oral care products?
What does the ADA Seal of Acceptance mean?
Some products have the ADA Seal of Acceptance.Why?
What ingredients are in toothpastes?
Can I get a copy of my dental records?
How do I file a complaint against my dentist?
Can I keep my extracted teeth?

White Bird Dental Clinic 344-8302
1400 Mill St.Eugene, OR 97401

Population Served: All no/low income, uninsured Lane County Residents.
Services: Immediate need care, preventative and restorative dentistry for all ages.
Restrictions: We accept OHP plus patients with ODS, Capitol or open cards.
Hours: Call for walk-in clinics

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Children's Dental Center

Contact your Child’s School Nurse of Administration to see if you qualify.
Population Served: Children from low-income families
Services: Needed dental treatment; some orthodontics
Restrictions: Lane County Residents Only
Hours: During the School Year Only

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Senior Low-Cost Denture Program 686-1175
2300 Oakmont Way, Ste. 110, Eugene, OR 97401

Services: Dentures, partials and relines.
Restrictions: Must me a resident of Lane County, 55+ years of age, annual income below $20,000 if married and $15,000 if single and not on public assistance.
Fee: Reduced fee

For information and an application form - click here

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What should you do?  The obvious answer is to call a dentist!

Your tooth hurts. It's sensitive to hot or cold. It is throbbing. You can't chew because it hurts.

Injuries to the mouth may include teeth that are knocked out (evulsed), forced out of position (extruded) or broken (fractured). Sometimes lips, gums or cheeks have cuts. Oral injuries are often painful, and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible.

Some of the questions the dentist will ask you if you have a toothache are:

How long has it hurt?
Is it sensitive to hot or cold?
Is it a sharp or dull pain?
How much does it hurt?
Have you been taking anything for the pain?

The dentist or the dental staff will ask you those questions as a way to determine what type of emergency treatment will be required and how quickly you need to be seen in the office.

When you arrive at the dentist's office, he or she will do an oral examination to determine which tooth is bothering you and the source of the pain. The dentist may also need to take x-rays to help in the diagnosis. Treatment can then begin to alleviate the pain and address the problem. Some of the main reasons for a toothache include: decay, periodontal (gum) disease or physical trauma, such as being hit in the mouth with a baseball or hockey stick.

Common complaints associated with toothaches include that the tooth is sensitive to hot or cold liquid or foods or to sweets; there is often a throbbing pain; and sometimes there is what is called referred pain. "Referred pain" means you might have a pain in your ear or in the lower jaw, but it's really caused by a tooth.

It used to be that if you had a toothache, the tooth probably would be extracted. Today, dentists focus now on preserving the tooth. In most cases, pain can be resolved without removing the tooth. Dentistry is making great progress in helping people keep their teeth for a lifetime.

The following are some types of oral injuries and what can be done:

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Knocked-Out Tooth

Do not scrub the tooth or remove any attached tissue. Instead, rinse it carefully in running water. Gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket. If this isn't possible, place the tooth in a cup of milk or, in the absence of milk, cool water. Bring it and the patient directly to the dentist within 30 minutes, if possible.

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Loose Tooth

If the tooth is pushed out of place (inward or outward), it should be repositioned to its normal alignment with very light finger pressure. Do not force the tooth into the socket. Hold the tooth in place with a moist tissue or gauze. Again, it is vital that the injured individual be seen by a dentist within 30 minutes

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Broken Tooth

Gently clean dirt from the injured area with warm water. Place a cold compress on the face near the injury to decrease swelling. Go directly to the dentist.

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Bitten or Cut Tongue, Cheek or Lip

Apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth. Apply cold compresses to swollen areas. If the bleeding doesn't stop, go to a hospital emergency room.

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Objects Caught Between Teeth

Do not attempt to remove the object with sharp or pointed instruments which could cut the gums. Instead, carefully guide dental floss between the teeth. If this doesn't work, go to the dentist.

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Possible Broken Jaw

Do not move the jaw. Secure the jaw in place by tying a scarf, handkerchief, necktie or towel around the jaw and over the top of the head. Apply cold compresses to swollen areas. Go immediately to a hospital emergency room or call your dentist.

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Toothache

Do not place aspirin on the aching tooth or gum. Rinse the mouth with warm water. Floss to remove any food that might be trapped between the teeth. See your dentist as soon as possible.

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Problems with Braces and Retainers

Cover the ends of irritating wires with a small cotton ball, beeswax or a piece of gauze until you can see your dentist. Do not attempt to remove a wire that is stuck in your cheek, tongue or gum. Go to your dentist immediately. If an appliance becomes loose or a piece breaks off, take the appliance and piece to the dentist.

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How can I choose a dentist?

Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing a dentist:

o Call the Lane County Dental Society office

o Search the LCDS Member Directory on this website to find a dentist close to your home or work. You can also search for a speciality dentist.

o Ask family, friends, neighbors or co-workers for a recommendation.

o Ask your family physician or local pharmacist.

o Ask faculty members of local dental schools.

o If you are moving, your current dentist might provide you with a recommendation.

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What should I look for when choosing a dentist?

You may wish to consider several dentists before making your decision. During your first visit, you should be able to determine if this is the right dentist for you. Consider the following:

o Is the appointment schedule convenient for you?

o Is the office easy to get to from your home or job?

o Does the office appear to be clean, neat and orderly?

o Was your medical and dental history recorded and placed in a permanent file?

o Does the dentist explain techniques that will help you prevent dental health problems? Is dental health instruction provided?

o Are special arrangements made for handling emergencies outside of office hours? (Most dentists make arrangements with a colleague or emergency referral service if they are unable to tend to emergencies.)

o Is information provided about fees and payment plans before treatment is scheduled?

You and your dentist are partners in maintaining your oral health. Take time to ask questions and take notes if that will help you remember your dentist's advice.

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What is the difference between a DDS and a DMD?

The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) are the same degrees. The difference is a matter of semantics. The majority of dental schools award the DDS degree; however, some award a DMD degree. The education and degrees are the same.

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Where can I get low-cost dental care or financial assistance for dental work?

Assistance programs vary from state to state, so you may want to contact the Lane County Dental Society to see if there are programs in your area.

Another possible source of lower-cost dental care is a dental school clinic. Generally, dental costs in school clinics are reduced and may include only partial payment for professional services covering the cost of materials and equipment. LCDS can tell you if there is a dental school clinic in your area.

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How often should I replace my toothbrush?

Treat yourself to a new toothbrush every three to four month’s, or sooner if the bristles become worn, splayed or frayed. A hard, brittle brush can injure your gums. Children's brushes may need to be replaced more often, as they can wear them out more quickly.

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How should I choose oral care products?

Even savvy shoppers can be baffled by the seemingly endless variety of dental care products. Choose products that carry the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance - an important symbol of a dental product's safety and effectiveness. Oral care products that may carry the ADA Seal include toothpaste, manual and electric toothbrushes, floss and other interdental cleaning aids, mouth rinses and oral irrigators.

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What does the ADA Seal of Acceptance mean?

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I've noticed that only some dental products have the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Why?

The Seal of Acceptance Program is strictly voluntary. Manufacturers may choose to have products evaluated; some choose not to. The ADA does not comment on why products do not carry the Seal or on the quality of non-Seal products. Data collected in our laboratories indicate that about 30 to 40 percent of consumer products fail to meet the standards required for the ADA Seal of Acceptance when they are first submitted. Manufacturers often make the required adjustments to their products and then resubmit them.

You may want to contact the manufacturer directly for more information on a particular product. A phone number is often available on the product packaging.

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What ingredients are in toothpastes?

Toothpaste should contain fluoride to reduce tooth decay in children and adults. There are other ingredients that can be included. Tartar control toothpaste prevents tartar, above the gumline, from forming. The active ingredient of these toothpastes is based on the mechanism of action of a variety of pyrophosphates or zinc citrate. Desensitizing toothpaste can help block the pain of receding gums, which cause sensitivity to temperature extremes. The effective ingredient is potassium nitrate.

Toothpaste that contains Triclosan, an antimicrobial, is proven to reduce gingivitis. Baking soda can act as a mild abrasive in high enough concentrations. An advantage of baking soda as an ingredient is that if you like the taste or feel of these toothpastes, you're likely to brush more often and thoroughly. Abrasives help remove stains and plaque and polish the teeth. All ADA-accepted toothpastes contain a mild abrasive that, along with your toothbrush, helps to remove plaque (a sticky film of bacteria). Usually the abrasives are a type of silica.

Other ingredients commonly found in toothpastes help to make brushing a pleasant experience. Flavoring agents such as artificial sweeteners, peppermint, cinnamon or wintergreen improve the taste. Humectants prevent water loss. A binding agent or thickener gives the toothpaste body and keeps it from separating into solid and liquid. Foaming agents may be added to promote cleaning of the teeth.

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Can I get a copy of my dental records?

Talk with your dentist about getting a copy of your dental records and check your state law, if necessary. The ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct states:

"A dentist has the ethical obligation on request of either the patient or the patient's new dentist to furnish, either gratuitously or for nominal cost, such dental records or copies or summaries of them, including dental X-rays or copies of them, as will be beneficial for the future treatment of that patient. This obligation exists whether or not the patient's account is paid in full."

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How do I file a complaint against my dentist?

Even in the best dentist-patient relationship, a problem may occur. First, discuss any concerns you have with your dentist. Many times this will help clear up the matter. If you are still not pleased, contact the Lane County Dental Society to register your complaint.

Local dental societies have established a dispute resolution system called peer review to help resolve the occasional disagreement about dental treatment. Peer review provides an impartial and easily accessible means for resolving misunderstandings regarding the appropriateness or quality of care and, in certain instances, about the fees charged for dental treatment.

A peer review committee will attempt to mediate the problem. They may meet to discuss the case and may examine clinical records, talk to the dentist and patient and, when indicated, arrange for a clinical examination.

For further information about peer review, contact the Lane County Dental Society or email at lcdsmailbox@gmail.com

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Can I keep my extracted teeth?

Yes. There has been some confusion about whether or not teeth that have been extracted in the dental office can be given back to the patient. The confusion stems from the wording of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) guidelines for handling and disposing of medical waste. It was unclear whether an extracted tooth was considered medical waste.

However, OSHA chief, Joseph Dear, has gone on record as saying "OSHA has not banned the tooth fairy; dentists can give children their extracted teeth.

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