Dental Crown & Non-Payment: Your Rights & Options

In the United States, dentists cannot withhold permanent crowns or any other necessary medical treatment due to nonpayment. Patients are legally entitled to receive access to necessary medical care regardless of their ability to pay.

If a patient cannot afford to pay for dental care, there are several options available to them. These options may include:

- Government programs such as Medicaid or Medicare, which provide dental coverage for low-income individuals

- Private health insurance plans that include dental coverage

- Sliding-scale payment plans offered by some dentists, which allow patients to pay for care on a reduced scale based on their income

- Dental schools, which often offer reduced-cost care

Dentists are required by law to provide patients with information about their payment options and to work with patients to find a payment plan that is affordable. If a patient is unable to pay for their dental care, the dentist may be able to refer them to a local social service agency or other organization that can provide financial assistance.