Seniors

1. Every day 10,000 people in America turn 65.
2. By 2050, there will be 88 million seniors in America. [i]
3. Pensions are rare in today’s economy and the average worker doesn’t have enough opportunity to save for retirement.
4. Nearly 20% of seniors approaching retirement have no retirement savings.
5. Homelessness among seniors is projected to increase 100% by 2050.[ii]
6. Sixty percent of Minnesota counties are considered Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas, including Ramsey County.[iii]

Seniors are at Risk

Poor Oral Health is Connected to Poor Overall Health

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Stroke
• Arthritis
• Lung conditions
• Cancer
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease
• Diabetes

The Numbers Don’t Add Up for Senior Oral Health

Income

Social Security: $2,484 a month, according to the Social Security Administration’s estimate that the average annual benefit was $29,806 for Social Security recipients who are age 65.[iv]

Average monthly expenses for seniors: Midwest: $3,965[v]

Leaving a negative balance of: $1,481

More than 53% (532,000) of Minnesotans aged 65 and older do not have dental insurance or the ability to pay out of pocket for care. (2017).[vi]

Dental Services Costs

Dental Cleaning

Dental insurance may pay 100% of preventive dental care services like exams and cleanings. Average out of pocket prices are:

• Basic cleaning and polish: $75–$200[vii]

• Panoramic X-rays: $100–$200[viii]

Dental Filling

The price for filling a cavity can depend on the tooth filling material, the size of the cavity to be filled, and the location of the tooth.[ix]

• Amalgam: $50–$150 for one to two teeth

• Composite or ionomer: $90–$250 for one to two teeth
• Gold: $250–$4500 for one to two teeth

Dental Crown

Like a filling, the cost of a crown is based on the material used.[x]

• Metal: $500–$1,500 per tooth

• Porcelain fused-to-metal (PFM): $600–$1,800 per tooth
• Ceramic (porcelain): $800–$2,000 per tooth

Tooth Extraction

How much you pay for getting a tooth pulled can depend size of the tooth, location of the tooth, and difficulty of the procedure.[xi]

• Simple tooth extraction: $75–$250
• Surgical tooth extraction: $180–$550
• Wisdom tooth extraction: $120–$800

Root Canal

Root canal prices can vary based on how severe the infection is and which tooth is affected.[xii]

• Incisor: $500–$1,000
• Molar: $800–$1,500

Dentures

The cost of dentures depends on several factors. These include the quality of the materials, the need for tooth extractions, or the cost of follow-up appointments for fitting adjustments.[xiii]

• Low-cost dentures: $600–$1,000 for a full set
• Mid-priced, mid-quality dentures: $1,000–$3,000 for a full set
• High-quality dentures: $4,000–$8,000 for a full set

Senior Smiles

Donate Here