Yes, dear husband and I go twice a year for cleanings, etc. Course, we BUY OUR OWN dental insurance.
Many Universities with dental schools give free or reduced price exams and cleanings to all, esp. senior citizens.
Yes, my dear friend uses the Dental School for her cleanings. Saves her a good deal of money.
We had dental insurance but dropped it because we realized that what we paid out for the dental insurance and the remainder we still had to pay the dentist was the same as if we didn't have insurance.
I did finally realize though that everytime we went for cleaning they would automatically do x-rays and then the dentist would come in and poke for a few seconds. Each of those things was added to the cost along with the cleaning. I finally told them NO x-rays or dentist coming in to poke. I might every couple of years say go ahead, but at our age I don't think we will be having anymore cavities.