Dental Care
MaineCare Dental Services
MaineCare covers most dental services for children and young adults under age 21 including orthodontics. Effective July 1, 2022 MaineCare began covering comprehensive preventative, diagnostic, and restorative dental services for members age 21 and over. In some cases, MaineCare also covers dentures.
Unfortunately, finding a local dentist that is accepting new MaineCare patients is difficult if not impossible.
Adult MaineCare Dental Benefits
https://www.mainecahc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/MC-Adult-Dental.pdf
PCHC Dental Clinic
Location: 1048 Union Street, Bangor, ME 04401
Telephone Number: 207-992-2152
Fax: 207-992-2154
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM – 5 PM
Cost: Variable. Accepts MaineCare and participates in the Sliding Scale Program
Website: https://pchc.com/location/dental-center/
It is useful to fill out the PCHC dental intake paperwork in advance even if no appointment is scheduled. The PCHC dental clinic rarely is accepting new patients for routine dental care. The slots fill up rapidly, usually within 24 hours. The paperwork needs to be completed at the time of enrollment to the clinic so if the paperwork is not already completed you will lose the opportunity to become a patient at the dental clinic. If the clinic is open to new patients, make an appointment for routine care and submit the paperwork immediately. This will secure the spot as a new patient.
The Emergency Dental Clinic at PCHC will see people on a walk-in basis if they are bleeding, in pain, or have swelling in their mouth. However, to be sure to get a walk-in appointment, you need to be at the dental clinic as early as possible. Doors open at 7:20am and people are often waiting outside at 7AM. Proceed immediately to the front desk, explain your situation and request a same day appointment. The front desk registers people in the order in which they arrive and then you sit in the waiting room and wait until a dentist can see you. Recently, they have been getting to most people who arrive in the office before noon, but that can change at any point and from day to day. So the earlier in the day you can arrive, the better. If the clinic is unable to get you on a given day, you will need to return another day.
If you know in advance that you will be going to the dental clinic for any reason, it is helpful to fill out the paperwork and the sliding scale program application prior to the visit. If the patient has already completed a Sliding Scale application at the medical clinic it is not necessary to fill it out again. The patient will have 30 days from the date of their visit to return the completed Sliding Scale application to PCHC. If they miss this deadline, they will be responsible to pay the full amount.
Many single persons earn too much to qualify for the sliding scale program so be sure to call in advance of the visit to inquire about the estimated cost of the visit. It is best for them to have enough money with them at the visit to pay the bill on the day of service. If they qualify for the sliding scale program the cost of the visit would be between $10 and $55. If they do not qualify for the sliding scale program the cost would be more.
Useful Links:
Sliding Scale Program application: Please read the instructions document “How to Fill Out The Sliding Scale Application” before completing.
How to Fill Out the Sliding Scale Application:PCHC Sliding-Fee-Program-Application
https://pchc.com/service/dental-services/
Independent Dental Hygienists who Accept MaineCare
Description: PCHC maintains a list of Independent Hygienists who provide cleanings and preventative care, many of who accept MaineCare. You can access that list here: PCHC Dental - Independent Hygienist List
Another option is Heavenly Smiles: Independent dental hygienists. Performs dental cleanings, x-rays, and dental exams for adults and children. They do not perform any restorative dental work.
They will refer patients in need of restorative dental work to a dentist (although it is difficult to find a dentist that accepts MaineCare).
Location: 60 Main Road N, Hampden, ME 04444
Telephone Number: 207-862-0035
Contact Person: Felicia or Pam
Hours: Call for an appointment
Cost: Variable. Accepts MaineCare
Website: https://www.facebook.com/IndependentDentalHygiene/
Email: Heavenlysmiles121@gmail.com
University of Maine at Augusta Dental Clinic
Description: Dental clinic where students in the dental hygiene program gain their clinic experience and hours. Performs dental cleanings and x-rays. They do not perform any restorative dental work.
Location: 201 Texas Ave. Bangor, ME 04401
Telephone Number: 207-262-7872
Contact Person: Valerie Clotts
Hours: Follows University of Maine’s academic calendar. Appointments are 4 hour slots Mon – Fri, 8 AM – Noon and 1 PM – 5 PM
Scheduling: Call for an appointment
Cost: $50 for cleaning
$25-50 for x-rays
For complete up-to-date pricing go to
https://www.uma.edu/academics/programs/dental-programs/patient-services/
Website: https://www.uma.edu/academics/programs/dental-programs/patient-services/
Give Kids a Smile Program/Event at U.Maine at Augusta Dental Clinic:
Date: Occurs yearly on February. Scheduling begins in January.
Description: Children are seen by a Maine licensed dentist for an exam and our UMA students provide all the other preventive dental services including prophylaxis cleanings, X-Rays, sealants, fluoride treatments and dental health education.
Things to Note:
Appointments may take up to 4 hours as students are performing the dental services.
Orthodontic Services
PCHC Orthodontic Clinic
Location: 1048 Union Street, Bangor, ME 04401
Telephone Number: 207-992-2152
Fax: 207-992-2154
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM – 5 PM
Cost: Variable. Accepts MaineCare and participates in the Sliding Scale Program
Website: https://pchc.com/location/dental-center/
Things to Note:
Currently PCHC does not have an orthodontist and is not accepting any new patients. Call the dental office for updates as to the resumption of orthodontic services for new patients.
Useful Links:
https://pchc.com/service/dental-services/
Bangor Braces
Description: Provides orthodontic care for both adults and children.
Location: 257 Harlow Street, Suite 102, Bangor, ME 04401
Telephone Number: 207-945-6324
Hours: Call for an appointment
Cost: Variable. Accepts MaineCare
Website: https://bangorbraces.com/
Email: smile@bangorbraces.com
Things to Note:
Currently Bangor Braces is not accepting new Mainecare patients but call the office for updates.
Other Info:
There are other orthodontists in the area that do not accept MaineCare.