Did you know there are dozens of ways to get free toothbrushes and toothpaste if you’re low income? We’ve found a ton of different options, from community resources like food banks to business promotions. Wherever you are, there should be something on this list that can work for you.
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Government Assistance Programs
Did you know that you might be able to score some free toothbrushes with your Medicaid benefits? It’s true! Many Medicaid plans offer free hygiene kits. In fact, some will even give you an over-the-counter allowance that you can use to buy items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, sunscreen, diapers and more! This OTC amount is usually around $25 per month and doesn’t roll over, so it’s a great way to collect free toothbrushes and toothpaste when you need it
If you don’t get Medicaid, you may still be able to get free toothbrushes if you have CHIP, TANF or other government benefits. You’ll just need to contact the department in charge of those benefits and ask if they can help you.
Dental Schools & Clinics
Perhaps the most reliable way that low income Americans can score free toothbrushes is by visiting their local dental clinic or dental school. These offices usually have free toothbrushes on hand and give them away after appointments or to people who need them.
Dental clinics that serve children, especially low income children, frequently give away free toothbrushes after routine visits. These visits are often covered by Medicaid or CHIP, so that you can get these items at no cost to you.
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If you have a dental school in your area, that’s another great resource. Dental schools often offer free or low-cost dental care, including cleanings and exams. Students under the supervision of licensed dentists provide these services. They may also be able to provide you with a complimentary toothbrush if you ask them.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are community-based health centers that provide primary care services to underserved populations, regardless of their ability to pay. They may also have free toothbrushes available for patients, especially those with limited resources. You can find one near you with this map from HRSA.
These giveaways are especially common during National Dental Health Month in February. If you have a chance to attend a dental health fair during this month, you may increase your chances of finding a free one.
Free Toothbrushes for K12 Students
If you have a K-12 student in your home, your teacher or school may be able to hook you up with some free toothbrushes for your child. Many nonprofits and even companies donate items like this directly to teachers, trusting those teachers to make sure the items end up in the right hands.
For example, Colgate donates classroom kits with free toothbrushes and toothpaste to kindergarten, 1st Grade and even Head Start classrooms. The teacher just needs to fill out the request form on the Colgate website to request samples for their classroom. Students will also get a brushing chart, and teachers will also get supplies like wall posters, storybooks and more.
Many schools also offer resource centers that can help children connect with needed resources, like school uniforms, supplies, and personal care essentials. To connect with these resources, you usually need to talk to a school nurse or school counselor.
More Free Toothbrushes Near You
Many toothbrush and dental health companies have robust giveaway programs that provide free toothbrushes to community nonprofits. Because of this, it’s usually pretty easy to find free toothbrushes from community organizations in your area. You just have to be persistent and ask around.
The United Way may also be able to provide you with a free toothbrush, depending on your local chapter. That’s because this organization is made up of a vast network of local organizations committed to improving lives in communities across the country. While their focus areas vary by location, many United Way chapters partner with dental clinics and other health providers to offer free dental care events or distribute dental hygiene kits. Contact your local organization for details.
The Salvation Army is well-known for its wide range of social services, including assistance with food, shelter, and healthcare. While they don’t typically focus solely on dental care, many Salvation Army locations offer hygiene kits or personal care items that may include toothbrushes. Contact your local Salvation Army center to see if they have any available.
There are many community organizations that offer free toothbrushes, either alone or as part of hygiene kits. If you can get a kit, it’ll often include free toothpaste, combs, soap, and other personal care essentials as well.
Food Banks & Pantries are a great place to turn if you need help with personal care items. Although they specialize in helping you acquire the food that you need, they often have other items that aren’t strictly food related. Many of the food banks we’ve reported on over the years also offer free toothbrushes, toothpaste, diapers and even free birthday gifts for children as part of their offerings.
Local Health Departments often offer free dental hygiene supplies as part of their outreach programs. After all, it’s a lot easier for them to offer a free toothbrush to prevent cavities than to actually fix the cavities once they occur. Preventative medicine is often a huge priority for these departments, so it never hurts to ask.
And if they’re hosting an upcoming local health fair, there’s a pretty solid chance you’ll be able to score free toothbrushes at those events. They’re often offered as prizes for activities or as incentives at certain booths. In fact, local health fairs are a great way to get access to all sorts of free health and wellness resources, not just toothbrushes. You might find free screenings, health information, and even other personal care items. So, keep an eye out for those events and make the most of the opportunity to take care of your health without breaking the bank!
Homeless Centers are another reliable source for personal care essentials. If you are unhoused or housing-challenged, your local homeless shelter or community center may be able to help you with critical services like housing assistance, hygiene kits, clothing and so much more. Definitely reach out and ask if they can help you.
Many people are surprised to learn that local libraries may also be able to give you free toothbrushes as well. Some libraries stock free hygiene kits for low income patrons, usually in partnership with other community organizations. If you’d like to see if this service is available to you, I recommend calling ahead to speak to someone. Don’t forget to check out all the other amazing things your library card can do, as well!
If you can’t find any charities in your area that offer this service, recommend that they look into it because we’ve found a ton of organizations that donate toothbrushes to local nonprofits.
Corporate Giveaways & Promotions.
Beyond community resources and organizations, there are several creative ways to snag free toothbrushes from corporate giveaways and promotions.
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Reach out to companies. Many dental product companies offer free samples or coupons on their websites or social media pages. Follow your favorite brands and keep an eye out for special offers! Don’t hesitate to reach out directly to toothbrush manufacturers like Oral-B or Colgate, explaining your situation and politely requesting samples. Some companies also offer free products in exchange for customer feedback or through product testing programs.
Check with local businesses. Retailers and pharmacies sometimes run promotions or giveaways that include free toothbrushes, so signing up for email newsletters or following them on social media can be beneficial.
Explore online options. Online freebie websites like Freeflys or SampleSource occasionally offer toothbrushes as well. And keep an eye out for online contests or sweepstakes on dental product websites or social media, where toothbrushes are sometimes given away as prizes.
Save with discounts and rebates. Consider using coupon websites or apps to find discounts that might make toothbrushes essentially free. Also, look out for rebate offers where the purchase of a toothbrush is refunded.
Remember, a little resourcefulness can go a long way in ensuring you and your family have access to essential dental hygiene tools, even on a tight budget!
Relief Recap
As you can see, there are many ways to get free toothbrushes and toothpaste in your local community! From food banks to corporate giveaways, we’ve uncovered every option we’re aware of for this essential resource. Please contact the providers on this list to get free toothbrushes or referrals to agencies that can help you.
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