Information Library

Start Reading
Good oral health is important—not just for teeth and gums but for the health of your entire body. Poor oral health and the bacteria it causes have been linked to endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy complications, pneumonia, and other conditions. In addition, it’s linked to diabetes, eating disorders, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.
Getting regular dental care is a critical investment in your overall health. But too many Americans (39% of U.S. adults, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation) delay dental care due to cost, and nearly half (46%) report having difficulty paying for it. Finding a low-cost dental clinic with quality dental care is your top priority if you find yourself in these circumstances. Fortunately, Penn Dental Medicine (PDM) has the solution you’ve been looking for.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine is one of the oldest university-affiliated dental institutions in the United States. Founded in 1878, it’s long been renowned as a dental school that takes patients as part of its commitment to excellence in dentists’ clinical education. In 2021, the school provided services valued at more than $4 million to patients who needed help affording dental care.
In the teaching clinics of Penn Dental Medicine, student dentists practice and hone their skills under the close guidance and supervision of faculty, many of whom consistently rank among the region’s top dentists.
Students provide high-quality, affordable dentistry to patients—everything from routine dental hygiene, such as cleanings, to more complicated interventions like low-cost dentures and extractions, root canals, and other oral surgeries. You receive the care at a reduced cost in exchange for your willingness to help tomorrow’s dentists master their profession.
What can you save on care by visiting PDM?
When you come to PDM, your costs are 50%-70% lower than those of private practices on average. So if you’re living in Southeast Pennsylvania and looking for low-cost dental care, it makes sense to come to a dental school that takes patients like our top-ranked School of Dental Medicine.
What type of services does PDM offer?
PDM’s comprehensive services include all fields of dental medicine:
1. Make an appointment for your initial examination
Schedule your appointment online, or call us at 215-898-8965, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday. Once your appointment is scheduled, please be sure you arrive on time.
2. Receive your examination from one of our student dentists
If your dental and oral health needs fit the teaching program, you’ll be assigned to one of our student dentists. The School of Dental Medicine’s predoctoral students provide patient care in our general restorative clinics, while our postdoctoral students do so in each of our specialty clinics.
Your student dentist will fully explain all recommended dental services. They’ll also advise you of the cost and answer any of your questions about payment.
3. Understand your costs
Because PDM is a teaching clinic at a dental school that takes patients, our costs are 50%-70% lower than those of private practices on average. Still, we understand the prices of dental services—including emergency dental work—can add up quickly, especially if procedures are complicated. We work with our patients to arrange payment plans or financing options that help fit our quality and compassionate dental care into your budget.
In addition, while only about half (50.2%) of U.S. adults have dental coverage, we accept direct payments from most dental insurance plans and all Medicaid plans available to Southeast residents. So if you have dental insurance, you can relax knowing that you can still take advantage of our low-cost dental care.
If you’re looking for affordable dentists and low-cost dental care, receiving care at a dental school that takes patients is a great option—and experts recognize PDM as among the best. Get the care you need from the next generation of top dentists at PDM. You can be confident you’ll have a positive and affordable experience.
Call 215-898-8965 today to schedule your appointment, or contact us online.
And, for answers to your questions about low-cost dental clinics, download our free ebook.