By Gillian It can be difficult to find an affordable dentist without having to sacrifice quality care. High costs are the leading reason Americans skip dental visits, which can lead to serious health problems down the road.
Luckily, there are many ways to save on dental costs. You can find a dentist who offers discounts, offers financing options, accepts your insurance, or has a membership plan.
1. Look for a Dentist Who Offers Discounts
Oral health is vital to overall health, but it can be costly without the right coverage. Fortunately, there are ways to lower your bills. A good place to start is by speaking with your dentist directly. They may offer payment plans or adjust your treatment plan to make it more affordable. Also, consider a dental savings plan or membership program. These plans typically come with an affordable one-time annual fee in exchange for a range of discounts from 10 to 60 percent.
Another option is to visit a dental school clinic or community health center. Most have clinics where faculty and supervised students provide care at a reduced cost — often based on a sliding income scale. You can find a list of accredited dental and dental hygiene schools with a tool on the American Dental Association’s website.
Dental discount plans are a great option if you don’t have dental insurance, are insured but have maxed out your annual benefits, or are not a fan of the hassles of traditional dental insurance like deductibles and copays. These are annual membership programs that usually offer a range of discounts on services, including cleanings and checkups. They can be purchased from a variety of companies, and you can shop for plans based on what you’re looking for, such as types of treatments covered and monthly vs. yearly fees.
2. Look for a Dentist Who Offers Financing Options
For those without insurance or who have insurance but can’t afford the co-pays and out-of-pocket minimums, there are options to help cover dental costs. For example, nonprofit clinics like the dental clinic in Box Hill North offer dental care to those with low incomes or no insurance on a first-come, first-served basis. These clinics often have a sliding fee scale based on income and can provide routine dental services such as teeth cleanings, fillings, and crowns for free or at a reduced rate.
Another option is a personal loan or line of credit from companies, which offers competitive rates and flexible terms. These loans can be used for any purpose, including dental work.
Finally, some dentists offer membership plans that provide discounts for patients who pay an annual fee. These programs can reduce the cost of routine procedures, such as cleanings and X-rays, as well as more expensive procedures, such as tooth extractions, root canals, and crowns. If you are interested in finding a dentist who offers these types of memberships, it is a good idea to research the different options available before choosing a plan.
3. Look for a Dentist Who Accepts Your Insurance
Many dental practices offer a list of insurance providers that they work with on their websites. You may also want to call the dentist directly and ask if they accept your specific policy. For example, Delta Dental has a Find a Dentist tool that can help you find a dentist near you who is an in-network provider for their policies.
It’s also worth checking to see if your local government or healthcare organizations have free or low-cost dental clinics nearby. Some cities have non-profit clinics that serve patients on a sliding scale, meaning that the fee you pay depends on your income. These clinics typically have long waitlists and only accept certain types of patients, like seniors or people with disabilities.
You can also try contacting your insurance provider directly to find out which dentists are in-network with your specific insurance plan. Many dental insurance plans operate like traditional medical insurance, with deductibles, copayments, and limitations. You can learn more about the different types of dental insurance plans by reading AARP’s primer on the subject.
Other insurance options include Medicaid, a joint federal-state program that offers coverage to low-income individuals. Depending on your state, it may cover basic preventive visits and some restorative procedures. In addition, there are many private foundations that provide free or low-cost dental care for those in need.
4. Look for a Dentist Who Offers a Membership Plan
If you’re looking for an affordable dentist, it’s important to find one who offers discounts and payment plans. These options can help you save money and avoid costly dental bills in the future.
Many affordable dentists also offer membership plans that can help you save on routine dental care. These plans are similar to the memberships offered by Costco or other wholesale clubs. They typically include an annual fee, and you can choose the services you want to cover. Many of these plans also offer discounts on additional treatment, like cleanings or whitening.
While the benefits of membership plans are clear, it’s important to understand how they work before offering one at your practice. A good place to start is by researching the cost of your own dental insurance and comparing it to what you’re charging for membership. This will give you a sense of how much your patients can expect to pay for coverage and what the average discount is.
Another advantage of dental membership plans is that they eliminate the middleman and allow you to connect with your patients directly. This can help you build loyalty and encourage your patients to visit the dentist regularly for preventative services and other treatments. In fact, studies show that patients without dental coverage tend to visit the dentist less often and are hesitant to accept treatment.
