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6 Ways To Save Money At The Dentist

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Like many people across the country, you might be avoiding a visit to the dentist because you simply don’t have the cash to pay for dental procedures. Whether you require restorative, cosmetic, or general dentist work, those dollars can quickly pile up, and many of the traditional dental insurance policies won’t cover certain types of treatment. However, when it comes to your dental health, appearance, and overall well-being, there’s no reason you shouldn’t work your hardest to make it a priority.

Addressing your oral problems head-on isn’t just good for your dental health, but can also help you realize other health issues you might be having. According to a report published by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), “New research is pointing to associations between chronic oral infections and heart and lung diseases, stroke, and low-birth-weight, premature births. Associations between periodontal disease and diabetes have long been noted.”

Considering these factors, budgeting for your dental care is necessary. Here are a few ways you can save money at the dentist to help you get work done:

Go For A Free Consultation

It’s very difficult for people to look for an accurate price list when it comes to dental procedures. This is because most dental procedure costs you’ll find online are just estimates; dentists cannot accurately give you a final number until they’ve met with you in person and have properly assessed your situation.

However, different dental practices have varying ways of managing consultations. To help you save money, visit a dental practice that offers free consultations. You can determine this by visiting their website or giving them a call.

Cosmetic Dentistry Savings

“Cosmetic dentistry can be anything from advanced teeth whitening to porcelain veneers. And believe it or not, these procedures can happen fairly quickly; a patient can get most of these procedures done in one office visit”, according to the site truedentfamilydentistry.com.

Unfortunately, many insurance policies will not cover cosmetic procedures, as they’re not deemed medical emergencies or necessities. Dental maintenance simply isn’t considered a priority, and saving for elective procedures can be a hassle. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can approach this.

  • Sign up for an app that helps boost savings. Unlike a standard savings account, these apps make it easy to trim a little money into your account for you, without you having to take action. Other apps, like Thriv, make it simple to operate a virtual “piggy bank” that collects funds that are separated into different “goal” accounts.
  • Visit a dental training clinic. You can find a dental training clinic at many universities, and because they’re staffed by senior students, costs are less expensive, and in some cases even free.
  • Go overseas. If you’re flexible and have done your research, you may be able to find ultra-cheap dental work in other countries. However, you always want to be careful and extra cautious when taking your dental work outside of the country.

Sign Up For A Dental Savings Plan

Dental savings plans may not be as comprehensive as insurance plans, but they’re a great alternative. These plans have annual fees that range anywhere from $80 to $200 and have a network of dentists that provide services to members for as much as half the normal costs of dental procedures. DentalPlans.com is a great starting resource for discovering a plan that works for you.

Talk To Your Dentist

You’d be surprised to find out that many dental practices are willing to work with you if you’re transparent about your budget and needs. Some practices have in-house payment plans resource and will take a percentage of overall costs upfront while allowing you to make monthly payments—much like a credit card. For example, an orthodontist might allow you to work independently with them to pay off your braces.

Apply For Medicaid

If you earn an income that’s on the lower end of the bracket, you may be eligible for a dental plan through the Affordable Care Act. It doesn’t hurt to sign up and search for a resource on the dental marketplace. Many people avoid applying because they don’t believe they’ll qualify. However, you’d be surprised at what you actually qualify for. If you’re a veteran, you may also be able to receive coverage through the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Finance Your Dental Work

One of the easiest ways to get your dental work covered is to finance is. For many, another credit card can be a scary endeavor—however, it’s a viable solution that, when managed correctly, can be a great way to get your dental work done. If you have good or resource credit, this option is for you. You can apply for a medical credit card like CareCredit, or another credit card type with rates and cash back rewards.

Comments

  1. Mary Ambrosino says

    I know Care Credit has been a life saver for alot of people who need dental work.

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