Get Cleanings and Fillings at a Dental School
Is there a dental school somewhere in your area? If so, it’s a great resource for free or reduced-cost dental care. About 26% of American adults aged 20-44 have cavities that still need treatment, according to the CDC. If you’re currently dealing with tooth decay, going to your local dental school may enable you to get fillings for free. Before any dentist graduates, there are certain procedures they must demonstrate to their teachers.
Continue Wearing Your Retainers
Are you someone that’s dealing with misaligned or crooked teeth? If so, you’re not alone, since one out of three orthodontic patients are adults. Do you have a retainer from your last treatment? You should continue to wear it as it will keep your teeth in line. If you stop wearing your retainer too early after braces treatment, your teeth may shift back to their old position and require costly care again.
Use Credit
Credit cards aren’t just for shopping and taking vacations. You can also use credit to handle medical and dental care fees as well. Matter of fact, there is a credit line specifically for such scenarios known as Care Credit. Visit the Care Credit website and apply online. Once you’ve been approved, you can quickly use your credit line to pay for any dental or medical services. Even if you have dental insurance, you’ll still have to pay something out of pocket. Luckily, with Care Credit, you can pay for any coinsurance, copay, or office visits not covered by your regular plan.
Set Up a Payment Plan
Did you know it was possible to set up a payment plan for certain dental procedures? For example, if you’re going to your orthodontist for braces treatment, it can take as long as two years to complete. If making those payments out of your pocket is too much to do up front, work out something with your orthodontist for the lifespan of your treatment.
The type of payment plan you can use depends on the dentist that you’re going to. Some may have payment plans for a few months, or some may allow you to stretch out your payments until treatment is complete. If a dentist has a payment plan option, they often list it on their website. However, if you don’t see a payment plan option on the website, don’t be afraid to go in for a consultation anyway and see if there’s something you can work out.
Check Special Programs
Many programs are available to assist people with various needs. Did you serve your country as a veteran? If so, the first stop you should make is your local Veteran’s Association office. Depending on your status, you may be able to get full or partial coverage for your dental care. If you’re over the age of 65, Medicare has programs to assist seniors with medical and dental care needs. People with physical or mental disabilities should check their local and state programs for help.
One of the ways to practice good oral care is by seeing a dentist regularly. Unfortunately, your budget may not allow you to get the care you need when you need it. If you’re dealing with such a situation, there are ways you can work around the high cost of dental care. Use this list for some tips, so you can keep your teeth as healthy as possible.