Everyone knows that dental care can be very expensive. You may think your only option is to wait, but sometimes that can make your problem even worse – and more costly as well. Whether it’s teeth whitening in Fleet, or fillings in London, sometimes it could stand to be cheaper. The following are some practical ways that you can finance your dental work and how to find discounted dental treatments.
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How To Work With Your Dental Provider
The Wisconsin Dental Association reports that 50 percent of all dental patients pay for their dental care out of pocket. If this applies to you, cleanings and checkups, along with treating cavities or other issues, can start to add up fast. If you need to have several different dental treatments done, you should consult with either the payment specialist or office manager at the dental office. They will work with your dentist and you to go over the payment options that are available to you. That may include determining what work needs to be prioritised and review the kinds of fillings or crowns that are available to meet the individual needs that you have.
How To Finance Your Dental Care
When you use financing, it can help make your payments affordable, and several different payments options are usually available that you can discuss with your family and dentist:
In-Office Benefit Plans
There are some dental practices that offer benefit or discount plans. The plans are similar to insurance, where you pay an annual or monthly fee to obtain discounted service. It is noted by the American Dental Association that in a majority of cases, preventative treatments, like exams, cleanings, and x-rays, usually are included at no extra charge in your plan.
Payment Plans
Your dentist may offer payment plans for dental treatments, and that can allow you to pay for your care over a longer period of time to make it affordable. It is very important to examine the interest rates of the plans very closely. Some plans may offer an interest-free period, and then charge after the period is over. Figure out how much you can afford to pay each month and make sure to calculate the interest also.
Medical Credit Cards
This type of card works in a similar way to any type of credit card. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reports that the major difference is they only can be used for paying for medical costs with those providers who accept those kinds of cards. These cards, like payment plans, frequently offer deferred interest over a certain number of months. That allows you to pay the balance off without having to pay interest. You might not have to make payments before the interest is due. Carefully consider the terms – especially the interest rate – prior to opening an account for one of those cards.
Credit Union Loans
Are you a member of a credit union? If so, you may be able to apply for a loan or credit card through your credit union to obtain a lower interest rate. According to the National Credit Union Administration, usually credit unions offer lower interest rates and reduced fees and that can help you finance dental work that is affordable to you.
How To Find Discounted Care
Another way that you can get dental care at a cost that is affordable to you is to find ways to get discounted dental work. The following are some you may want to consider for your situation:
State Dental Association Events
The dental association in your state might organise events that offer low-cost and free care. For example, the California Dental Association offers care provided by volunteer dental professionals at their events that are held across the state. Patients are able to receive free dental treatments like root canals, extractions, and fillings.
Low-Cost Clinics
Clinics can offer a wide range of dental treatments at no cost or on a sliding scale based on your individual needs via the Health Resources and Services Administration. There is a Find a Health Center tool offered by the administration that can help you find a local clinic nearby.
Hygiene and Dental Programs
The University of California’s San Fransisco School of Dentistry reports that dent care conducted at a university clinic costs 40-60 percent less than at a private office. Dental students who are in their last year of school, under faculty supervision, provide root canals, crowns, fillings, and other treatments. You can check with the Commission on Dental Accreditation to look for a nearby program.
If you plan to finance dental work, make sure you take the time to carefully consider how much you can afford and your budget. Research all of the options that are available to you that make a pain-free and healthy smile achievable for you.