Top 4 Tips for Saving Money on Dental Care
The cost of dental care has literally skyrocketed and many families simply can’t afford to pay high costs for such things as root canals, dental implants and even regular x-rays and cleaning services. As a result, there are altogether too many people who never sit in a dentist’s chair until tooth decay has progressed so far as to require extractions. If you are among those who simply can’t afford the rising cost of regular visits to the dentist, here are the top four tips for saving money in the long run.
1. Invest in Preventative Dental Care
According to Dr. Scott Wallace DDS – Family Dentistry, one of the best ways to save money on is to invest in preventative dental care. While it may seem as though regular cleanings might be costly, the actual price is low when faced with oral surgery to extract teeth broken off at the gums or root canals which could have been prevented with routine cleanings. Even annual cleanings, as opposed to the recommended bi-annual cleanings, can help to prevent serious tooth decay and diseases of the gums and soft tissue within the mouth. As a leading Bakersfield family dentist, Dr. Wallace has helped patients of all ages understand the importance of being proactive in defending against disease and decay.
2. Financing to Make Dental Care Affordable Over Time
Some dentists do offer financing if a certain amount is paid upfront at the time of services. Typically a credit check will be run to ensure the patient has a history of paying bills timely, but for those who could afford services if amortized over time, this is a way to ensure that their teeth will be taken care of as they make payments over time.
3. Procedures Spread Out Over Time
Here again, for those who need to spread payments out over time it would be practical to also spread services out over time if at all possible. For those who carry a dental insurance plan that doesn’t cover 100% of treatments and services, this is a wise option. Sometimes dental coverage allows for a specific number of x-rays per year, for example, so unless you are experiencing pain, keep those types of services within the allotted amount of time. Some services are based on an annual dollar amount while others are based on treatments within a yearly or twice yearly basis. Even so, by spreading out those services over time payments can be more manageable if not less expensive.
4. Dental Insurance Coverage
Even with all the changes in regulations on health insurance within recent years, many people still don’t have dental coverage. Some health insurance plans do offer dental coverage while others have no provisions for paying for anything other than something like reconstructive surgery to the jaw and mouth after illness or accidents. A good dental insurance policy can be purchased at considerably less money than a health insurance policy so it is in your best interest to evaluate coverage if that option is available to you.
While it is true that dental services can be costly, it is also true that there are ways to save money in the long run. From preventing serious decay to purchasing dental insurance or utilizing at home whitening kits or dental cleaning tools, the average family can find ways to keep their smiles radiant. It is up to you to be proactive in locating affordable dental care.
Nina Paul
Tuesday 28th of December 2021
Thanks for sharing these dental tips. I'm sure it will help me in maintaining my dental health.