How to Save up to 60% on Dental Care

Dental care is a service we all need but hate to pay for. It’s often unpleasant, sometimes painful, and it always costs a lot of money. Most of us shrug our shoulders at the high cost, not realizing there are ways to save. But if you know how to go about it, you can save thousands on dental care. 

Insurance

Only 50% of Americans carry dental insurance, leaving a good portion of the population on the hook for the full cost. Many of the uninsured simply skip dental care, rather than pay for the cost of checkups. They’d rather not find out they need thousands of dollars worth of work done. The rest of us need to find ways to reduce copayments, with some services only covered partially, or capped at a maximum amount. 

Step one in finding dental savings is securing yourself a reliable, cost effective insurance program. But don't jump in without investigating the plan first. Consider your dental health history before purchasing a plan. If your teeth are perfect, a simple plan that covers all necessary treatment up to $1,000 per year may be the best option. Don’t pay high premiums for coverage you are unlikely to need. 

If your insurance has reached its yearly maximum and you need work done, ask about stop gap measures. You may be able to get a temporary treatment to hold you over until the policy renews.

Don't Skip Preventative Care

If insurance does not fit in the budget, there are other ways to save money. The best way to save is to prevent the need for expensive care in the first place. Never skip preventative care, make brushing twice a day routine, floss daily, and consider using a fluoride rinse. Baking soda toothpastes are highly effective at killing germs and keeping your mouth healthy. 

Take Time to Find an Honest Dentist

Face it, we all know someone who had a bad financial dental experience. It’s just an unfortunate fact of life that some dentists try to squeeze patients for unnecessary fees. Some dentists simply aspire to provide patients with the perfect cosmetic mouth, others may be truly dishonest. Exercise patience in looking for a good dentist. Look for recommendations from friends and family based on their personal experiences.  

Students Need Patients Too

Seek out alternative venues for dental care as well. Dental schools exist in major cities across the country and their services are often very cheap, approximately half the cost of regular dental care. Appointments can take much longer at dental schools as students are still learning their craft and must wait for teachers to check their work, resulting in longer appointments.

The quality of service at a dental school may even be higher than at a private practice. Dental students are eager to perform to perfection while under the close and watchful supervision of their instructors. If you need a specific type of work that the student must demonstrate to pass a National Board exam, you can get your work done at no cost. The downside of this option is the time involved.

Discounts

Don't be afraid to look for discounts. Dental discount plans can be as affordable as some insurance plans that entitle individuals to receive discounts from 10% to 60% on services and come with low costs. Make sure to ask your dentist about plans they accept in order to find the right one for you. Ask your dentist about a reduced rate when paying for both appointments up front at the beginning of the year. You are less likely to skip an appointment you have already paid for, and you may be able to get a break in the price. Lastly, ask your dentist if they will give you a discount for paying in cash, many will give a 10% discount for cash payments.