Toothsavers of Washington

Your child may qualify for free or reduced cost health/dental insurance through Apple Health of Washington (1-855- 923-4633) You may pay only what you can afford, even a minimum payment helps keep our programs going. We will not turn away a child if unable to pay. 

Yes! In Spokane County, we are considered at higher risk for dental cavities because we do not have adequate amounts of fluoride in the water systems. Children are also considered at higher risk for cavities if they have a history of them. High cavity risk children should have  2-4 fluoride varnish applications in a year. Depending on the age, Medicaid pays for 2-3 fluoride varnish applications for each provider with a maximum of 9 fluorides a year so, they can be done  both at your dental office and with Toothsavers.

Our staff has training with working with special needs patients and fearful patients. We will not force the children to do anything they are not comfortable with. We will stop at any time during a procedure if the child wants to stop.

Our low cost uninsured fees are as follows:

Visual Oral Assessment=$10

Fluoride Varnish Application=$12

Sealants (per tooth)= $20

 Our mission is to be able to keep these programs going in order to provide care to all students in need.  We are happy to help set up payment plans if needed. We will not turn your child away if unable to pay. 

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is effective for treatment of hypersensitivity, tooth decay and cavities. Various “clinical studies unanimously confirm better caries arrest and/or prevention by silver diamine fluoride over control or other materials”. What is Silver Diamine Fluoride? Silver Diamine Fluoride is an FDA-approved antibiotic liquid clinically applied to control active dental caries and prevent further progression of disease. While the ideal way to treat teeth with decay is by removing the decay and placing a restoration, this alternative treatment allows us to stop decay with noninvasive methods, particularly with young children that have baby teeth. Treatment with Silver Diamine Flouride will not eliminate the need for restorative dentistry to repair function or aesthetics, but has been effective at prevention of further decay. Dental restorations may include but are not limited to dental fillings, root canal therapy and or crowns.  How does Silver Diamine Fluoride work? Silver Diamine Fluoride is composed of two primary components: silver and fluoride. Silver acts as an anti-microbial agent that simultaneously strengthens the underlying protective layer of your teeth called dentin. Fluoride is the active ingredient that puts a stop to tooth decay and helps prevent additional decay from appearing. During your child’s visit, your dental professional will brush and rinse their teeth without paste to prepare for the treatment. Your child’s teeth will then be dried and any debris, such as plaque, will be removed. SDF is applied to the affected teeth with a microbrush and the solution is allowed to cure on the tooth for two minutes. When is Silver Diamine Fluoride recommended? There are several situations in which it may be recommend. Those include, but are not limited to the following: Children who may have excessive decay (severe early childhood caries) Young children who have difficulty cooperating for treatment Special needs patients,  Children with carious lesions (cavities)  that may not all be treated in one visit .

 What are the benefits? Silver Diamine Fluoride is a particularly effective fluoride treatment for kids whose cavities cannot otherwise be treated at one time. We may also recommend Silver Diamine Fluoride for children with disabilities or those who are unable to sit for longer cavity treatments. Benefits to this technique: Non-invasive Painless quick treatment time,  may save your child from needing invasive dental procedures requiring dental anesthetic or general anesthesia, it is effective cavity prevention , it may stop tooth decay from getting worse and even reverse small cavities , also  relieves tooth sensitivity.  Are there risks associated with Silver Diamine Fluoride? There are some risks associated with it, which include, but are not limited to the following: Any decayed areas may stain black, which is why we primarily use it on baby (primary) teeth . Healthy tooth structure will not stain. Stained tooth structures can be replaced with a filling or crown if needed later by your dentist.  If Silver Diamine Flouride is applied to skin or gums, a harmless temporary brown or white stain may appear on the area. The stain will disappear in one to three weeks. It cannot be washed off. The patient may notice a metallic taste after an application. This will go away rapidly. Every reasonable effort will be made to ensure the success of the treatment. There is a risk that the procedure will not stop the decay, and no guarantee of success is granted or implied. If the tooth decay is not arrested, the decay will progress. In that case the tooth will require further dental treatment such as further Silver Diamine Fluoride application, dental fillings, root canal therapy, or extraction. These side effects may not include all of the possible situations reported by the manufacturer. If you notice other effects, please contact your dentist office.  Your child should not be treated with Silver Diamine Fluoride if: they  are allergic to silver, there are painful sores or raw areas on your gums, or anywhere in your mouth.  What are the alternatives? Some alternatives include, but are not limited to: No treatment, which may lead to an increase in symptom severity as well as a worsening of the tooth structures and cosmetic appearance. Depending on the extent and location of the tooth decay, other options may include placement of fluoride varnish, a filling, crown, extraction or referral for advanced treatment modalities such as a surgery center. Silver Diamine Fluoride is a safe, effective children’s fluoride treatment that can help your child maintain a healthy smile for life.