How To Buy Dental Insurance – Have you been avoiding the dentist because of financial fear – despite that horrible toothache? Fortunately, there are two great pieces of news for you today: one, you’re not alone! Second, you have more options than you realize.
You will find no shame here. You might actually be surprised to learn that 27% of American adults have untreated tooth decay. (1) In fact, recent statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control found that 36%—more than a third—of all Americans had not seen a dentist in the past year. (2)
How To Buy Dental Insurance
My mission is to make it possible for you to get excellent dental care, even without dental insurance. And before you start paying exorbitant fees, check my guide to make sure you’re not being overcharged or ripped off by fraudulent diagnoses.
Finding The Best Dental Insurance In Florida
It is not unusual to be concerned about the affordability of a dental treatment plan. That’s why I’ve put together these seven options to help you make the best and most convenient choice for affordable dental care.
While it may be tempting to put these ideas on the sidelines, skipping dental checkups due to lack of dental insurance will unfortunately cost you a lot more money. With your future in mind, read how to save for the long term.
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It Is Called Bullsh!t
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I’ve found that many people scoff at this suggestion, and it’s not unusual to be concerned about the idea of a student poking around your sensitive teeth.
Applying to dental school may sound daunting, but the process is subject to strict controls and clear procedures. Licensed professors oversee every phase of the dental work done at their school, making suggestions and stepping in when needed.
Many charities, faith-based organizations, the United Way, and health centers support free or discounted dental clinics for those without dental insurance. These will work with you to determine how much you can pay based on your income and usually include excellent dentists who donate their time.
The Reason Your Dental Work Isn’t Covered By Medical Insurance
Try one of these databases to find a sliding scale or free clinic near you! These organizations want to help if you need but don’t have dental insurance:
I often tell my patients that dental insurance isn’t really insurance, it’s just a benefit. It set that much, and your maximum coverage is often capped at $2,000—not a useful number for patients who need multiple major procedures.
What’s with that whimsical name? Well, in a margarita fund, I suggest setting aside $100 to $150 a month to see the dentist of your choice. If you won’t need expensive dental services after your checkup, you can go out and buy margaritas (or a nice dinner with your loved ones).
Even if you have to spend your fund on a margarita, you can visit the dentist more often with the assurance that you’ll have everything you need to cover the cost. For those without dental insurance, this fund can bite into unexpected expenses.
How To Choose The Best Dental Insurance Plan
If you have Medicaid or your children are eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, you may be eligible for more dental benefits and insurance coverage than you think. Each state has its own Medicaid dental plan, so click here to find your potential dental coverage.
Doctors and researchers have called childhood tooth decay a silent epidemic because of its prevalence in low-income families worried about dental costs.
The good news is that children’s access to dental care for both preventive care and procedures has increased dramatically over the past 10 years. (3)
If you or your child has Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, see what’s already available. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Health & Dental
I recently received a question via email from a reader without dental insurance who was unable to cover the cost of a cleaning, exam and x-ray. If I were her dentist, I would look at her most recent x-rays and do a “risk assessment” for possible decay based on a thorough clinical exam.
I would also take new x-rays and not do the cleaning. This combination would essentially cost the same as the clearing and exam combination.
There are always options and ways to tailor your dental care to your situation. By reading this article, you are one step closer to becoming an informed patient!
Don’t be afraid to look at the costs, consult your dentist, ask questions and choose what suits your needs and the best price.
Dental Only Personal Insurance
One final note: missing a cleaning pales in comparison to missing a deep cavity that will irreparably damage the tooth.
Gingivitis that can be prevented by cleaning is reversible. Deep cavities and root canals, which are prevented by examinations and X-rays, are not. Instead of risking a bigger bill later, choose any combination of options that suits you best.
Don’t like the clinic, dental school, or miss your cleaning? More than 200,000 dentists now work with CareCredit, which offers the option of paying for your dental work in installments. In some circumstances, they even offer an interest-free incentive. Find out more and find partner dentists on their website.
Not having dental insurance doesn’t mean you have to pay a lot of money upfront. This is an especially good option if you’re looking for something more in the cosmetic dentistry realm, like veneers.
Secondary Dental Insurance: All You Need To Know In [2022]
Close your eyes and dream of a world where you can find prices before you go to the dentist, not after. What if you could even secure your budget and connect with a dentist that fits your needs?
Thanks to Smylen, this dream is coming true. Currently located in New York City and expanding to cities across the country this summer, they exist to help connect you with the dentist you need at a price you can afford. Even if you don’t have dental insurance, these professionals are happy to help.
As a gift from me to you, enter the coupon code “ASKDENTIST” for $10 off the job you bid on when a dentist finds you through Smylen. If this option exists in your area, it’s a great way to get a job with a dentist who really works with you.
Every 15 seconds, someone visits the emergency room for dental pain, with millions of visits each year and an estimated $2 billion annual cost. (4) Unfortunately, when patients wait until this point to seek treatment, costs can skyrocket for one of the more budget-friendly options listed above.
Dental Insurance Plans
If you’re considering a trip to the emergency room, know that a dental emergency is usually defined as: (5)
Patients with lower incomes were found to be four times more likely to visit the emergency room than patients with higher incomes. (6) Obviously, cost is a factor in waiting until your problem is serious enough to seek treatment, but the worst part is that many of these bills could be lower.
To avoid falling into this demographic of high-priced emergency visitors, there’s one simple tip: don’t ignore the toothache. Treating minor pain now can mean you avoid bigger bills later.
When you first experience a toothache (or several), you may receive fillings to correct the problem. I repeat, do not ignore the pain. Waiting for the pain to increase can mean countless costs such as a root canal, extraction or purchase of an implant.
Aca Dental Plans
Dental insurance is really just insurance for your preventative care and minor repairs – the cap on the amount the insurance company will pay almost always excludes the cost of much-needed work.
Americans are four times less likely to have dental insurance than health insurance. (7) Health insurance is designed to limit what the insured person will pay, while a dental insurance policy is designed to limit what the company will pay. That’s quite a difference.
I like to say that health and dental insurance are opposites. The treatment options mentioned above or offering cash payment for discount plans can make up the cost difference for those without dental insurance.
That’s why you’ll save thousands in the future by seeing your dentist every 6 months for regular checkups. The upfront cost of consistent cleanings and checkups is worth the root canals, implants, and even dentures you’d pay for after avoiding care.
Best Dental Insurance For Implants Of 2023
Not only is preventative care a huge cost reducer, but ignoring your oral health can have serious consequences.
As the US Surgeon General said in his 2000 definitive report, “You can’t be healthy without oral health. Oral health and general health should not be interpreted as separate entities.” (9)
If dental problems are left unchecked, they can eventually lead to more systemic problems such as diabetes, heart problems, respiratory infections, and more.
Another method of preventive care is to take care of your oral health from the inside out. Did you know that you can eventually eliminate small caries by remineralizing your teeth?
