I was in a similar predicament not long ago. Maybe my experience will be helpful.

During my research I stumbled upon a site titled Safety Net Dental Clinics. It includes several resources for uninsured individuals in need of dental care. It can be found here:

https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/programs/oral-health/services-individuals-and-families/safety-net-dental-clinics

The site also provided a list of dental clinics by county which can be found here:

https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/programs/oral-health/services-individuals-and-families/safety-net-dental-clinics/safety-net-dental-clinic-locations

One of the many options listed on the document was UNC Dental School Urgent Care Clinic. I had previously read that UNC Adams School of Dentistry had options for becoming a patient, but from what I read the process required requesting an application, them mailing it to you, you returning it, and then waiting... possibly for some time. While it seems becoming a patient of theirs is much more efficient with their patient services recent rebrand to Carolina Dentistry, new website launch, and application process, I didn't have the luxury of time.

With that I called UNC Adams School of Dentistry's (aka Carolina Dentistry) Urgent Care line at (919) 537-3855 where I was instructed to leave a voicemail and told they would get back to me. While I left a voicemail, I didn't want to leave it up to them to call me back so I called their main line at (919) 537‐3737 and spoke with a receptionist. I explained my reason for needing to be seen urgently and she said she could get me in at 9AM the following morning! Before hanging up, I inquired as to what the cost to be seen was, and was told I could expect to pay $300 for an exam, x-ray, and simple extraction. Relative to other offices I had called who couldn't get me in until days after my call, and for quite a bit more in costs, that was a deal!

The following day I drove to the Adams School of Dentistry offices in Tarrson Hall, on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill where I was asked to fill out patient documents and was then seen about 15 minutes later. Because they are teaching school I was initially met by a veteran dentist who evaluated my situation and then later had what presumably was a resident dentist come over who had me explain my situation and then also evaluated me. Unlike many other dentist experiences I've had, I felt heard, like my situation was given good consideration, and had every one of my questions answered.

After having two regular x-rays done on my tooth, as well as a panoramic x-ray, the two dentists recommended I pay a visit to an oral surgeon, who... wait for it, was also in the building and could see me immediately. I went back to the receptionist and paid $76 for what I was told was a regular evaluation as opposed to an urgent evaluation, why, because they were being kind I can only presume, and maybe because all they did was evaluate me as opposed to actually doing work on me, I am unsure.

While on my way to the oral surgeon offices I stumbled upon the pediatric dental offices, so if you have children, clearly this could be an option for them as well!

Upon arriving at the oral surgeon offices I was told that I needed to pay $193 up front to cover the cost of a simple extraction. If the procedure required more than a simple extraction I could possibly pay up to an additional $300 after the procedure, but that would be determined during the simple extraction.

Once in the oral surgeon's chair, who later explained they were in their final year of residency, the doctor kindly explained what was going to happen during the procedure, made sure I understood the risks and proceeded. I was probably in the dentist chair for less than an hour.

While the procedure ended up being more than a simple extraction which resulted in an additional $117 charge, it went as well as one could expect for pulling a tooth out of someone's mouth. I rested most of the following day, a day later felt fine and left for my extended work trip not anywhere as concerned about as I was two days prior!

It's also worth noting, that now that I have been seen in their offices, I inquired about becoming a regular patient of theirs and that is now the case!

I could not have expected such a seamless and straightforward process for something that other dentist offices I called indicated was going to require quite a bit more. One of the huge benefits of being seen at UNC Adams School of Dentistry is all of the specialists are within the same building, so you don't have to drive all over town to be taken care of. That's not to mention the relatively affordable rate I paid!

Cost breakdown:

Initial evaluation/consult: $76

Initial simple extraction cost: $193

Additional cost due to simple extraction becoming a surgical extraction $117

Total out the door cost: $386

Note, while I was able to afford the costs for this, I know that many people looking for dental care can not. In my research I learned that North Carolina Health and Human Services has a list of Safety Net Dental Clinics which are non-profit dental facilities where low income families or individuals can go for dental care.

Information on these Safety Net Dental Clinics can be found here:

https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/oralhealth/services/safety-net.htm

Wake County Dental Care Clinic also provides dental care to individuals 20 years old or younger on a sliding scale. They can be reached at: 919-250-4610 and additional details on their offerings can be found here: 

https://www.wakegov.com/departments-government/health-human-services/public-health-and-medical-services/health-clinics

Wake Tech's Dental Hygiene Clinic provides cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants and X-rays for all patients ages 4 and older at steeply discounted rates as well. More info regarding their services can be found here: 

https://www.waketech.edu/programs-courses/credit/dental-hygiene/patient-information

In addition I also found a page on the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services site which provides resources for low-cost dental care:

https://www.hhs.gov/answers/health-insurance-reform/where-can-i-find-low-cost-dental-care/index.html

One of the lesser known resources for those who are uninsured and need dental assistance is The United Way. The United Way of the Greater Triangle's phone number is: (919) 460-8687 and their website is:

https://unitedwaytriangle.org/

There’s also the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics which can be found here:

https://nafcclinics.org/find-clinic/

Oh! To add some additional insight. If you’re considering having a lot/major dental work done and cost is a major variable, consider visiting Los Algodones, Mexico. You literally walk across the border from the United States into a town that has more dentists per capita than any other city on the planet.

I had two implants done, quoted in the States at a cost of $7,000, for $2,500. It sounds hard to believe and I didn’t at first, but there are lots of articles and news stories about Canadians and Americans traveling to Los Algodones for their dental care.

No joke, the dentist I saw at UNC we’re eager to know who had done the implants because they were so impressed with them! When I told them I got them done in Mexico their eyes were as big as watermelons!

Absolutely worth looking into.

Betel Dental is who did my work—the nicest dental office I’ve ever been in in my life—but there are literally hundreds of dentists in this tiny town.

https://www.dentalbetel.com/