How to Find Free Teeth Cleaning
If you think getting free teeth cleaning is just a fantasy, you might be surprised to learn that it is possible to get your teeth cleaned for free or for very little money. People often get free dental work or very low cost work done by dentists in training. Local dental colleges will almost always have some sort of a program where you can go and get your teeth fixed free or at a greatly reduced price. They do this so that their students can get some hands-on experience working on teeth.
By the time dental students get to work on your teeth they’ve already had extensive classroom and chairside training, and are ready to work while supervised with a dental instructor. Free teeth cleaning is possible if you find dental hygienist training in your area that offers this service. A training hygienist needs to be able to practice in a clinical setting, too. They can’t have only book and chairside instruction and then be sent out into the work force. They need practical experience in teeth cleaning, so that’s where you come in.
Just like with dental work, if you get low cost or free teeth cleaning there are usually conditions. You may have to be willing to spend a lot of time there per visit because you’re basically a learning tool for the student. A visit that might take 30 minutes at the dentist could take 2 hours when you’re letting a student do the work. This allows them time to really study and take care with what they’re doing. It doesn’t mean you’ll get low quality cleaning.
You may have to be willing to sit in the chair for a long time – with your mouth open – but that’s a much smaller price to pay than if you had to pay actual cash for the work. You’ll be treated with the same respect and care that you would if you went to a practicing dental hygienist; you simply have to be willing to agree to their conditions for treatment.
Many people go to dental colleges for low cost dental work, and to beauty school to get free and low cost hair cuts. Free teeth cleaning follows the same principle. While you’re getting a valuable cleaning at a reduced or free rate, you’re helping a future professional learn and train. Do be prepared to go on short notice, as often they have waiting lists and will call you if there’s a cancellation. Or they may have a first-come first-serve policy. Each institution is different.
Start with your local dental college. If they don’t offer free teeth cleaning, they may be able to point you to a facility that does. If you don’t have a local dental college, then look into the nearest town or metropolitan area that does. Even if the drive is a bit further, the extra you’ll pay in gas is nothing compared to what you would pay for the service, so you still come out ahead. With hygienists often charging $75 or more for a very basic cleaning and much more if there are any problems, free teeth cleaning is definitely worth looking into.
