Dental OPTIONS (Ohio Partnership To Improve Oral health through access to Needed Services) is a program offered by the Ohio Department of Health in partnership with the Ohio Dental Association. The mission of OPTIONS is to assist Ohioans with special health care needs and/or financial barriers to obtain dental care. OPTIONS patients are primarily adults; many are the "working poor" or elderly living on a fixed income. Eligible patients are matched with volunteer OPTIONS dentists who have agreed to reduce fees. A one-page synopsis is available that summarizes the program.  

How do patients enroll in OPTIONS?

Step 1- There are three ways that a patient may apply for OPTIONS:

• Call toll-free 1-888-765-6789 to receive an application form to fill out; 
• Click on application form to complete the form online and print it; or
• Print out the form and complete it by hand.

Step 2 - Patients include proof of household income such as a W-2 form, their last tax return or their two most recent pay stubs with their application.

Step 3 - Patients mail the application form and proof of income to the address on the form, making sure everything is filled out. Incomplete forms will delay the process. Patients may call a referral coordinator at 1-888-765-6789 if they need help.

Please see frequently asked questions for more details on how patients obtain dental care through the OPTIONS program. 

Dentist Enrollment

The Dental OPTIONS Program relies entirely on volunteer dentists to provide dental care to patients in need. Please see Dentist Enrollment Information to learn more about how dentists work with the program and to enroll as a volunteer.

Lab Enrollment

Many patients served by the Dental OPTIONS Program require dental care involving lab work, most commonly crowns and partial or complete dentures. Currently, more than 90 dental labs provide services to dentists treating OPTIONS patients. Participating dental labs determine the number and types of cases to donate or discount.

Click on Lab Enrollment Form to complete the form online or print the form and complete. Once completed, mail or fax the form to the address or fax number provided. An OPTIONS referral coordinator will contact the lab to discuss in more detail how the OPTIONS program works and the types of cases the lab wishes to donate or discount. To speak with a referral coordinator about the program, call 1-888-765-6789.

Last Updated: 01/25/10

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