The fear of going to the dentist isn’t exclusive to small children. Even some adults may dread visiting oral care professionals because of the cost it entails.
Industry estimates reveal that the average cost for the cheapest service, getting a dental sealant, may cost anywhere from USD$35 to USD$60 per tooth. Meanwhile, one of the most expensive treatments, a full mouth reconstruction, could run as high as USD$150,000.
With that being said, most dental services may entail several weeks of saving up if you’d like to have them done. But there are other options to get that periodontal surgery or impacted wisdom tooth extraction without draining your life savings. You’ll find some of those methods below.
1. Put Your Negotiating Skills To Use
If you’re paying for dental services out of pocket, find out how to search for low cost dentists. Most dental clinics don’t publish their rates on their website; however, you can ask them to provide you with a quote on the services you’re after. Alternatively, you can drop by the clinic nearest you for a quick checkup as you may need other treatments.
Once you’re in contact with your chosen dental provider, ask as many questions as you can about their treatment and payment options. Put your negotiating skills to good use by asking your dentist for discounts or a more flexible payment plan.
Additionally, learn more about each of the suggested treatments and ask your doctor whether you can choose only one treatment to prioritize for a start. Most dentists are open to helping ease their patient’s financial burden, especially if they know the latter’s financial situation. So don’t hesitate to be transparent about it if necessary.
2. Discuss Flexible Payment Plans With Your Dentist
Besides negotiating for lower rates and discounts, some dentists may be keen on offering monthly payment terms to some patients—without interest. This comes in handy, especially if you need emergency dental care and don’t have enough cash to cover out-of-pocket costs.
Regular weekly or monthly payments help ease your financial challenges as the amount is spread evenly, making it more affordable than paying for it one time. For instance, if the dental service costs USD$2,000, you may ask your provider for 10 easy payments of USD$200 per week.
Take note, however, that dental offices have different policies on offering this type of payment option, so ask your provider whether the dental procedure you’re about to request is covered.
3. Check Your Dental Insurance Coverage
Some dental insurance holders don’t know the services that their policy may cover. If you think you need to undergo a specific treatment, bring out your insurance documents and read the terms and conditions.
Most dental insurance plans cover cleaning procedures, about 80% of standard services such as fillings and extractions, and half the cost of significant dental work such as dental bridges, dental implants, and wisdom tooth extractions. Also, check the ceiling on your insurance as you’ll have to pay the extra amount if you go beyond the coverage limit. You can also ask your dentist to help you get the most out of your insurance policy.
4. Tap Into Your Health Savings Account Or Medical Insurance
If you’re short of cash to pay for your dental service, taking a certain amount from your health savings account (HSA) may give you a good budget boost. This savings account is a portion of your tax money allocated for medical expenses, and those medical costs may include particular dental services.
In addition, you can check with your private medical insurance provider whether they cover specific dental procedures, given that some oral conditions impact your overall health. Exploring this option can help you make the most out of your medical insurance coverage and reduce your upfront costs.
5. Save Up
Saving up for the treatment is an excellent alternative to getting insurance because the money will always be available, unlike most insurance policies that offer yearly coverage. Getting annual insurance coverage means you can only use the policy while it’s effective, and the unused amount isn’t carried over to the following year.
Having exclusive dental savings can also help you pay for emergency oral treatment or any service you thought you didn’t need. With enough money set aside, you don’t have to wait long before having urgent and costly services done.
The Bottom Line
The best way to keep dental costs down is through proactive visits to your dentist. Dental services can become costly if you skip regular visits to your oral professional. If this isn’t possible, take the points you learned from this article in order to stay on top of your finances. Look for a dentist who charges reasonably and one with whom you can discuss any issue, budget constraints or otherwise, for a successful and budget-friendly treatment.