Good oral health is crucial to your overall wellness. Preventative care and regular checkups help prevent cavities and periodontal disease.
Unfortunately, dental services can be expensive — even more so when it’s time to treat oral health issues.
If you’re a resident of Marion County, Florida, you may have access to low- or no-cost dental checkups and treatment. Read on to learn about the local organizations that can help you smile brighter.
Why is Dental Health Important?
Because the mouth connects to both the digestive tract and lungs, oral bacteria can lead to health problems throughout the body. When the teeth are damaged, they’re more likely to harbor bacteria. This contributes to gum disease, which, in turn, contributes to more dental issues.
As oral bacteria grow out of control, they can move into the bloodstream, affecting other vital organs. Also, chronic inflammation from poor oral health makes the entire body more vulnerable to disease.
Conditions that reduce immunity, including diabetes and HIV/AIDS, raise the risk of oral health problems. Diabetes itself is a risk factor for oral disease, likely because poor dietary habits contribute to both.
No matter the cause, oral health issues are alarmingly common. Gum disease occurs in 46% of U.S. adults, while 26% experience tooth decay. People who are lower-income or marginalized are at a higher risk of developing these conditions.
They’re also the ones who need dental care the most.
Thankfully, Marion County offers solutions. Providers of low-cost dental services include:
Langley Health Services
A certified nonprofit and Federally Qualified Health Center, Langley Health Services provides dental care to patients of all income levels. Their Ocala location offers both preventative and restorative services for children and adults. They even have a mobile dental unit that provides dental cleanings, fillings, and periodontal care through pop-up clinics. This “dental bus” visits various community locations on a rotating schedule. Call Langley Health Services at 352-569-2938 for details.
The Marion County Hospital District has connected the Mobile Dental Unit with Community Home Project, a holistic hub for family care and health education. Beginning November 2022, the dental bus will be at the Community Home Project twice a month between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
You can also visit Langley Health Services’ Ocala location directly at:
7205 SE Maricamp Rd.
Ocala, FL 34472
352-680-7000
FreeD.O.M. Clinic USA
The Marion County Hospital District sponsors FreeD.O.M., which stands for Free Dental, Optical, and Medical Care. Their services are 100% free for uninsured and underinsured Marion County Residents. This is possible thanks to partnerships with the University of Florida College of Dentistry, Grand Oaks Dental Care, and CH Endodontics.
Patients can receive full dental exams, plus X-rays and cleanings. FreeD.O.M. also offers fillings and extractions of damaged teeth.
If you’re interested in their services, you may book a visit for one tooth/procedure per visit. There is a long wait time due to their patient volume, but the free, professional services are worth it. You can book an appointment day by calling 352-421-5510. The clinic is located at:
1056 SW 1st Avenue
Ocala, Florida 34471
Or, look for a pop-up clinic by visiting or calling the Freedom Dental Clinic.
Note: FreeD.O.M. only serves low-income, no-income, uninsured, and underinsured Marion County residents.
Heart of Florida Health Center
As a nonprofit serving all of Marion County, Heart of Florida offers low- to no-cost dental care (and much more). The organization takes a holistic, patient-centered approach to help patients improve their health.
Heart of Florida’s dental services cover everything from basic exams and cleanings to periodontal care, fluoride treatments, and fillings. They also provide pediatric dental care, including spacers, baby root canals, and crowns. Children’s oral health is especially important as it affects their speech and overall development.
The organization offers bilingual staff and a culturally competent environment. Any Marion County resident can book services at Heart of Florida, but those without insurance or financial means take priority. The cost depends on the services provided and your household’s income.
Locations include:
Heart of Florida Main Headquarters:
2553 E. Silver Springs Blvd.
Ocala, FL 34470
(352) 732-6599
Heart of Florida Central:
1025 Southwest 1st Avenue
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 732-6599
You can reach Heart of Florida’s 24/7 on-call line for dental emergencies at 352.732.6599.
Marion County Hospital District Connects Uninsured and Low-Income Residents with Dental Services
Our mission is to support our community’s total wellness. Thus, we invest in organizations that provide vital services to Marion County residents who have low or no income or insurance. This support includes matching federal funds for nonprofits and sponsoring pro bono services. We also connect various community resources to make healthcare more accessible.
If you’re seeking accessible dental care in Marion County, please reach out to our amazing partners listed above. Your oral health is critical to your overall well-being.
To learn more, call the 24/7 peer support phone number at (352) 255-6985 or email bp@mchdt.org.
