TAMPA, Fla. — Experts say dental care can be extremely expensive, which forces some people to avoid visiting a dentist altogether.

Luckily, there are programs that people can turn to get the care they need. 

Florida state lawmakers recently approved $2 million to fund several programs, including the dental student loan repayment program to get dentists into rural and underserved areas, and Donated Dental Services. 

Dr. Terry Buckenheimer has a practice in South Tampa and contributes to the program.

One of his most recent patients is retiree Carol Jarrett, who needed a lot of dental care but couldn't afford it.

She found Donated Dental and got the help she needed — she had about $6,000 worth of caps and dentures done free of charge thanks to the program. 

“It meant a lot, and it still means a lot, because when I walked into this office, I could feel the warmth and it made me feel good about myself because of the missing teeth," Jarrett said. "But I got my smile back."

The Florida Dental Association says the new funding will help more people like Jarrett, who says she is more confident now with her new smile.