Credit Card For Dental Work – A woman walks past a painting of a smiling woman in front of a dental office, Vancouver, BC, August 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Hasan Sheikh does not work for, consult with, own stock in, or receive funding from any company or organization benefiting from this article, and discloses no relevant affiliations other than their academic appointment.
Credit Card For Dental Work
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised anxiety levels among Canadians: worry about contracting the virus, financial hardship and isolation. But one thing Canadians don’t worry about is how they’ll pay for basic health care if they need it. For that, at least, we only need a health card.
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Actually, that last part is only partially true. Critical areas of health care have been excluded from our universal health care system. For many Canadians, access to these health services has worsened since the pandemic began. Many people have lost their jobs, but there are also important health benefits, such as dental care.
The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a cornerstone of medicine. As we recover from the effects of the pandemic, we must strengthen this foundation. It’s time for Canadians to start using their health card, not their credit card, to access dental care.
Dental care is not a luxury. Oral health is an important part of overall health. Dentists and emergency physicians see the consequences of poor oral health every day.
Poor oral health can cause or worsen other medical conditions related to chronic inflammation. Dental care improves diabetes control, reduces the risk of aspiration pneumonia in long-term care homes, improves treatment completion for substance use disorders, and increases drug abstinence.
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It has even been shown to increase employability. If you’re afraid to smile, it’s hard to confidently land a job interview.
Dr. Serge Elbaz demonstrates improved protective equipment as dentists in Quebec reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic on June 1, 2020, in Laval, Quebec. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiortz
One in three Canadians does not have dental insurance, and one in five avoids visiting the dentist each year because of the high cost. When it comes to dental care, there is nothing better than our “universal” health care system. Only five percent of all dental costs are public. That’s less than the United States, where 10 percent of dental care spending is public, and not even close to the United Kingdom, which accounts for 46 percent.
This already dire situation worsened before the pandemic, with older people retiring and losing work-related benefits, and more people working in the precarious gig economy. COVID-19 has only exacerbated this.
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If Canada’s health care system were oral, it would be too embarrassing to smile for fear of revealing the vast gap that is our deficient dental system.
Many Canadians forgo routine care because they can’t afford it, leaving small problems to fester and grow. Our current system not only puts a strain on our personal wallets, but also puts an additional burden on the health care system.
With four in 10 low-income Canadians refusing to visit the dentist because of the cost, many rely on our emergency departments. Every nine minutes in Ontario, someone goes to an emergency room for a toothache when they need to see a dentist. Nationwide, these trips cost more than $150 million a year.
“To protect, promote and restore the physical and mental well-being of Canadians and to facilitate reasonable access to health services without financial or other barriers.”
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Expanding public spending to provide dental insurance to all can help Canadians access routine care, reducing the need for more expensive and complex procedures later. It benefits individuals, reduces costs for employers, and gives businesses a competitive advantage like modern medicine.
Government funding, while important, does not guarantee access to a provider. The private delivery model has left many poor and rural communities without significant resources. Bringing some dental care to the public ensures that people have a provider near their community.
Many Canadians forgo routine dental care because they can’t afford it, leaving minor problems to fester and grow. (Pexel/Cedric Fauntleroy)
Many dentists in private practice have historically opposed universal dental care and access to the public. This is not surprising, as it would reduce their monopoly on care.
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Doctors were once like that. Doctors were the biggest opponents of medicine when it was first introduced in Saskatchewan. On July 1, 1962, the day the medical establishment was born, most of the provincial doctors went on strike. But right now, very few people want an American-style health care system for dental care, especially during a pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t given Canadians many reasons to smile. Investing in a universal, publicly funded dental care system ensures a healthy, pain-free smile for every Canadian.
This article was co-authored by Brandon Doucet, a Newfoundland dentist with interests in surgery and health care and founder of the Coalition for Dentalcare.
Write an article and join a growing community of over 162,400 academics and researchers from 4,594 institutions. A few years ago, the National Association of Dental Plans reported that about 74 million Americans are not covered by dental insurance. Anyone in this group understands the struggle of finding and paying for affordable dental care.
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Good oral care is important in many ways and goes beyond just having a clean mouth and beautiful teeth. Neglecting your dental health can have a negative impact on your overall health. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s disease are just a few of the conditions linked to poor oral health.
Even without insurance, you should make every effort to visit the dentist and take care of your teeth.
Many dental practices offer payment plans to help ease the cost of dental visits. Patients may be able to pay for services in installments to fit their monthly budget. Even if you are uninsured or need dental work not covered by your policy, ask your dentist about payment options. For those of you currently looking for a new dentist, you can use our online tool to set up an appointment with a dentist in your area.
A dental membership is a relatively new form of payment for patients without dental insurance. They can be administered at home by your dentist or a third-party company. The idea is similar to warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club or Costco. The patient pays a monthly or annual membership fee. In return, they receive a package of specific services at a deep discount. For example, an annual membership may include exams, cleanings and x-rays at half price for members.
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Third-party financial companies offer credit cards exclusively for dental payments (CareCredit and iCare Financial are two popular ones). They work similar to certain retail store credit cards, except they can be used at any dentist that accepts them. This allows uninsured patients to pay for services, but some precautions are recommended. Not paying on time can cost you a lot in interest and penalties, and like any credit card, it can seriously hurt your credit score.
Look for deals and coupons for dental services online and in your local newspaper. New dental practices especially attract new patients, sometimes with discounts and low introductory prices. We don’t recommend putting off important dental procedures, but if you find a deal when you need it, go for it!
If there is a college or university nearby, find out if they have a dental school. Colleges often set up clinics where dental clinicians can gain experience working with real patients. The cost of services is usually lower than that of an experienced dentist. While students are still learning, they are taught and supervised by their professors, many of whom are experienced dentists. This is a great way to help a young dentist and save money on dental care.
Patients requiring expensive dental procedures such as root canals, crowns, or implants may want to seek care outside their community. Traveling to another state or even another country to see a dentist is becoming more and more popular. The price of the procedure can vary significantly depending on where it is performed. The savings can be substantial, even including the cost of airfare and hotel accommodations. This is known as dental tourism, as patients sometimes combine a vacation with a trip to dental work.
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In some areas, you may find a community dental clinic established by a nonprofit organization or state or local health department. They can usually provide basic and emergency dental care to people who have no other way to pay. Depending on the patient’s financial situation, they may receive some services for free. Others pay on a sliding scale based on ability to pay. Patients covered by Medicaid or CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) can read our article on how to find a dentist who accepts Medicaid.
In a perfect world, we would solve all the problems ourselves
